Happy Street

Location: Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Site Area: 18,470 sq.m.
Type: U.D. Workshop
Climate:

During the early 19th century, the cemetery was used as a burial ground for
Scottish people. After the eve of Independence, the cemetery lost its original intended use. Mass migration at the time resulted in a dramatic change in the demographic of the neighborhood. Due to the limited use of the cemetery grounds and the lack of infrastructure, the lands were appropriated by the growing informal settlements as a space for trash disposal or unlawful recreational activities.

In 2008, a Scottish charity (KSHT) was set up to re-establish the cemetery’s Scottish heritage and restore its historical form. But, the neighboring communities were disinterested in the conservation program because of their lack of attachment and cultural disassociation with Scottish heritage in Kolkata.
This project aims to establish a bond between the now dilapidated Scottish cemetery and the residents of the neighbourhood surrounding it by
improving the approach to the precinct and blurring boundaries between the road and the cemetery premise.