Walled City of Lahore
While, the heritage was being neglected, in 2005 the World Bank approached the Government of the Punjab, urging them to restore and develop the old Walled City. Ideas from Italian experts and specialists from Aga Khan Trust for Culture gave the concept a concrete shape in 2006. Finally with the inputs and efforts of the professionals and lovers of heritage emerged a World Bank-funded Sustainable Development of Walled City Lahore Project (SDWCLP). To move forward a public private partnership was signed with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in 2007 for technical assistance in the project. A comprehensive Strategic plan was prepared which paved the way of reconciliation between heritage preservation principles and urban infrastructural development. It was definite that to keep the heritage alive combining the Historic Conservation, Restoration & livable modern urban planning was obligatory.
In the first phase the following surveys were conducted for shaping up the project.
1. Topographical survey
2. Establishment of geographical information system (GIS)
3. Plot and building surveys
4. House hold socio-economic survey
5. Water quality survey
6. Lahore urban parks survey
7. Economic activity survey- rim market
8. Demarcation of right of way/extent of encroachment
9. Resettlement action plan
10. Social impact assessment
11. Environmental impact assessment
12. Conceptual design of Walled City Lahore
13. Outline design of infrastructure services in pilot area
The teams of World Bank, SDWCLP and AKTC decided to mark out a pilot project to be carried out for the restoration and improvement of the Walled City. The purpose of the pilot project was to demonstrate the techniques and methodologies to be implemented in the Master Conservation. Finally the Royal Trail or Shahi Guzargah was marked out of the entire Walled City for the Pilot Project.
The Royal Trail from Delhi Gate to Masti Gate is 1.6 km long route, which was used by the Mughals to reach Lahore from Delhi. This route possess many landmark monuments like Shahi Hammam, Chitta Gate, Wazir Khan Mosque, Dina Nath Haveli and Well, Sonehri Mosque, Waan Market, Kasera Bazaar, Rang Mehal, Baoli Bagh, Kashmiri Bazaar, Dabbi Bazaar, Mariam Zamani Mosque and the Lahore Fort. The route was selected because of its historic and heritage significance. The trail is 383 meters long, with 57 streets, 655 houses and 157 shops. The plan was to restore the heritage architecture, and a replacing of infrastructure and services including electricity, telecommunications, gas and sewerage system.
RECKONING A DIFFICULT TASK – THE COMMUNITY AND TRADERS
At first the community and especially the trading class and their transport suppliers did not support the idea of the project and its interventions. The trading community meant to destroy ancient dwellings, and replace them with ugly concrete warehouses. For them it was a threat to their profits and thus a deadlock resulted. In such circumstances emerged the Social Mobilization team of SDWCLP to mobilize the community and form Community Based Organizations (CBO) to facilitate the field surveyors and technical teams. After several meeting with the residential and trading community different male and female CBOs were formed. The purpose of the CBOs was to facilitate the teams in the field work and give them access into the homes and streets for the assigned tasks. It was, by any reckoning a difficult task, which was successfully achieved.
DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS
In 2009 the teams of SDWCLP and AKTC decided to demonstrate to the people that the end result is worth pursuing the dream. They decided to restore one small ‘Gali’ (street) of an unknown ‘Mohalla’ (precinct), to bring back to life a dream, a very achievable dream, so that once the idea of such a dream spreads, the city can come back to life. This was the Gali Surjan Singh inside Delhi Gate. Another demonstration project was carried out inside the Mohammadi Mohalla in 2011. The projects were a success.