International Committee for the Development of Lumbini (ICDL) & the Kenzo Tange Master Plan

U Thant, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on his visit to Nepal in April 1967, proposed the development of Lumbini into a major centre of pilgrimage. This was followed by a UNDP consultant mission in December 1969, which led to a report that established the basis for further planning around Lumbini.In 1970, the International Committee for the Development of Lumbini (ICDL) was set up comprising initially of 13 members and later expanded to 16 member states. ... ICDL initiated the preparation of the Master Plan for Lumbini, which was conceptualized by Kenzo Tange starting from 1972. The Kenzo Tange Master Plan was finalized and approved in 1978.The Kenzo Tange Master Plan covers an area of 5x5 miles with the central square mile being the Sacred Garden within which is the UNESCO World Heritage Property. Of the Master Plan, the 1x3 mile area which includes the following three zones: New Lumbini Village, Cultural/Monastic Zone and the Sacred Garden - are part of the Lumbini Project Area.The 1x3 mile Lumbini Project Area was planned out in detail based on Buddhist symbolism of geometric shapes and the path to enlightenment. The entrance is placed in the north in the New Lumbini Village from where the visitor enters the site to begin the journey from a location of “worldly” activities. Then the visitor proceeds to the Cultural & Monastic Zone for knowledge and spiritual purification, before reaching the Sacred Garden (within which is the World Heritage Property) for enlightenment. The three zones in the 1x3 mile area of the Kenzo Tange Master Plan are connected by a canal in the central link. The remaining area outside the Lumbini Project Area within the 5x5 mile zone is the Buffer Zone, which protects the three zones in the 1x3 mile area.Implementation of the Master Plan commenced in 1978 and was initially scheduled to be completed by 1985. Progress was, however, slower than anticipated. In 1985, the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) was established to take on the challenge of managing and implementing the components of the 1x3 mile Lumbini Project Area in accordance to the Kenzo Tange Master Plan.- Extracted from .... UNESCO ...http://www.unesco.org/new/en/kathmandu/culture/lumbini-past-present-future/kenzo-tange-master-plan-for-lumbini/The above post may also be found on TBCM's Facebook at ... https://www.facebook.com/tbcm.org.my/photos/pb.348962045182458.-2207520000.1417239244./708188105926515/?type=3&theater - Posted by CFFong