CEO Heritage Foundation, Architect Yasmeen Lari was awarded the Best Humanitarian Architect of Pakistan Award at a function organised by Diplomatic Business Council last night (13th August 2022). Award received from Mr. Murtaza Wahab, provincial minister and administrator KMC, with Mr. Umar Shaikh, president of organization.
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Makli Kashi women restart terracotta tiles production. After several months of inactivity women artisans belonging to the Kashi group have begun production of their famous terracotta tiles. This us the first time that orders have been directly placed with them by stakeholders in the development of Kharadar Chowk.
So far orders have given for their pathway by the mosque committee while some are by shopkeepers for their front pavement.
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On Sunday 31 at the traditional street breakfast hosted by Architect Yameen Lari, at Denso Hall Rahguzar Walking Street, a significant gathering of those interest in regeneration of Karachi took place. The assembly consisted of Chief Secretary Mr. Sohail Rajput, Secretary Implementation, Mr. M. Khalid, DIG Sharjil Kharal and his friend from Jinnah Hospital, ex-banker and chairman HBFC Mr. Shehzad Naqvi, ex PSO Managing Director Mr. Tariq Kimani, Director HF Ms. Shanaz Ramzi, Karavan committee head Mr. Arif Bahalim, supporters of the Rahguzar Mr. Zain Fazal and Ms. Aasya Zain along with civil society member Ms. Shayma Saiyid.
The discussion focused on the present devasting urban flooding took place in the city and the search of viable solutions. It was considered important to see what sort of measures could be enforced in order to minimize flooding in the city and how the rahguzar model designed by Architect Lari could be replicated.
Lari had explained how the street was entirely low carbon and the concept was that no water should be drained on to surrounding roads, but the entire ensemble was designed to absorb its flood waters through terracotta tiles, porous pavement, aquifer wells and large areas of forests. Through this eco methodology we were able to not only drain our water into the soil, the rahguzar helped to absorb a vast amount of water from the surrounding MA Jinnah Road, Napier Road and the 3 katchi galis contiguous to the rahguzar.
Yasmeen Lari suggested three different strategies for implementation, which would all lead to participation by other stakeholders and foster a sense of ownership. She recommended dividing the city to be taken up under different methodologies, which was generally agreed upon:
1. Replication of the rahguzar along the Red Trail which was already notified by Commissioner Karachi’s office and that was designed in 13 segments. Since the first had been completed by Heritage Foundation, the others could be taken up in alternative segments in order to be least disruptive i.e., 6 to be taken up this year and another 6 next year. She suggested Government investment of 45% of civil works cost estimated at 1,900,000 with another 4k5% investment by banks ad 10% by shop keepers and local residents. A committee could be formed with DC South as Project Director with membership drawn from investor bankers and others to control all aspects. CS suggested forming an association or society to which government funds could be allocated, along with other funding to be controlled by Project Director. Each rahguzar committee could accordingly have control of the funds and their disbursement. Thus, for each segment a committee could be formed. Architect Lari informed that the role of Heritage Foundation would be to provide guidance, and relevant drawings etc. Thus, each rahguzar would have its own funding and implementation committee.
2. The second strategy would consist of encouraging corporate sector to take up areas in their vicinity and implement methodologies developed by Lari for minimizing flooding in the area. She suggested that Mr. Tariq Kiramni should help in engaging the present MD PSO to rehabilitate the area around the PSO House and also help to make the nallah into an effective aquifer well for absorbing the water in the area. Mr. Kirmani agreed to pursue the matter. If we were successful in getting the corporate sector engaged in the process, much could be done.
3. Development of a masterplan for dealing with catchment areas, low lying areas and parks etc. water reservoirs and wetlands could be developed to retain flood waters of the parks and reuse the water for their own use. Above all the waters generated within open spaces will no longer be drained on to roads to minimize road flooding. These could be funded and implemented by the government itself.
Other measures could include rain water harvesting by buildings to prevent water being discharged on roads. Also redesign of pavements to retain water into the soil rather than draining on roads.
4. She quoted the example of Kharadar chowk where people are removing their own encroachments voluntarily and where they are beginning to contribute to the development of the area as well as establishing the Kharadar Chowk Bagh. Such initiatives that involve the community as investors and stakeholders will go a long way in developing neighborhood enclaves by converting underused roads etc. for creating climate smart recreational spaces to be taken care of by people themselves.
5. CS Sohail Rajput said that meetings can be held on Saturdays in which various issues could be discussed. Secretary Implementation said he will arrange meetings for the following:
a. Selection of 6 segments on the Red Trail and to establish a structure for funding, disbursement and implementation.
b. Presentation of potential for corporate sector to finance and implement climate smart and flood prevention methodologies in their area.
c. Masterplan of the city for measures required for prevention of flooding.
d. Identification and mobilization of communities to take up flood prevention methodologies in their own areas at the Mohalla level.
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During the recent Monsoon heavy downpour and thunderstorms most of Karachi’s main roads and streets got flooded with rain water. Denso Hall Rahguzar walking street however was prevented from such a catastrophic situation thanks to:
1- Four dense urban forests; 2 - Nine aquifer wells and 3 - terracotta covered porous pavements, as can bee seen from the photographs below.
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News article on rehabilitation of historic Kharadar Chowk into an urban forest with community space by Heritage Foundation of Pakistan with the collaboration of Sindh Police, District Administration, KMC, KWSB, DMC, AC Arambagh.
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Gender Ecologies is a programme exploring the intersections of gender, climate, sustainability and heritage through community and built environments.
From 21-26 May 2022, British Council, Heritage Foundation Pakistan, INTBAU and BRAC University are bringing together a group of female students from
Bangladesh, Pakistan and the UK to build two low-tech, low-carbon structures on Granary Square, King’s Cross which
will highlight the central role of women in the climate revolution.
The installations will coincide with the British Council’s Pakistan-UK Season, which celebrates the important links between the two countries. A Pakistani chulah, earthen cooker, will be built by Pakistani artisans and students, alongside a few days of events.
The builds will be complemented by an interactive programme of talks, live music, poetry and food from 23 to 26 May 2022.
Link: https://www.britishcouncil.pk/programmes/arts/gender-ecologies
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Kharadar Chowk has an interesting history, which the old police post there is also a part of. Built sometime in the early 20th Century, in 1905 or 1907, this 24’x36’ sandstone structure with the sloping dark green wooden roof covering just 65 square yards can also be spotted in a 1926 British map.
Link: https://www.dawn.com/news/1688823
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To celebrate Earth Day Dezeen have compiled a list of 50 people who are pushing the boundaries of sustainable architecture and design.
Architects and designers have a key role to play in reducing carbon emissions, pollution and waste while protecting biodiversity.
Here are 50 individuals and studios who are doing pioneering work, ranging from architects exploring timber construction to designers thinking radically about circularity and scientists developing new low-carbon materials.
Link: https://www.dezeen.com/2022/04/22/earth-day-sustainable-architects-designers/
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A meeting was held at 3:30 pm on 20th April at the office of DIG South. The meeting was convened to develop collaborative efforts between Karachi Administration, Sindh Police and civil society Heritage Foundation of Pakistan for the purpose of heritage safeguarding and regeneration of Karachi’s historic core along Heritage Foundation’s Red Trail.
Those attended included DC South and his senior officers, DIG Traffic and other senior police officers, Director, Antiquities department and CEO Heritage Foundation and her team. The meeting was chaired by DIG South.
1. HF presented a catalogue of 54 heritage structures that were threatened by demolition. After a great deal of discussion, it was decided to identify 5 such structures and joint vigorous action will be taken by administration and the police. Heritage department will file an FIR against it. Eminent lawyers should be requested to take the case up in the courts. In the meantime, instructions were given to both the relevant civil and police officers to report any imminent threat to heritage structures.
Follow up action: HF to identify 5 heritage structures and report to Director, Antiquities Department who will lodge an FIR immediately. Reporting in two weeks.
2. Kharadar Chowki restoration was presented to demonstrate how with comparatively limited effort and resources, heritage structures could be rehabilitated.
Follow up Action: Expedite the work in order to complete the project as expeditiously as possible.
3. Kharadar Chowk revitalization was presented and the following was decided.
DIG Traffic agreed to take up the review of the street pattern to achieve the following:
a. One-way routes to be determined
b. Parking of motorbikes to be rationalized.
He agreed that a review would be carried out to determine the extent of forest area in front of the Police Chowki.
DC South agreed to assist in removal of encroachments and suggested that plantation should be taken up in an area that was free from encroachment as a start.
Follow up Action: Study of the chowk and recommendations by Traffic Police and removal of encroachments. Reporting in two weeks.
4. Greening of Police Quarters
The greening of the streets of Police Quarters was presented by HF. DIG South instructed that streetwise committees should be formed to take up the case. II the meantime, through assistance from DMCs the encroachment on the streets should be taken up for removal.
Follow up Action: Formation of street committees and removal of encroachments from streets. Reporting in two weeks.
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