Syeda Batool

PRESERVING ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE; SOME PERSPECTIVES FROM KARACHI A city is renowned by the history it keeps. The heritage buildings play an integral role in the architectural history of a city if they are maintained properly. They are a cause of attraction for common people living in the city as well as a source of magnetism for tourists who are in search of a place that would add an everlasting chapter in their book of remembrance. Cultural heritage around the world is exposed to numerous natural and manmade risks. These risks include natural catastrophes such as earth quake and floods or continuous threats with cumulative effects (pollution, erosion, material decay, development, tourism, inappropriate site management, and looting). The exposure to such risks, coupled with environmental, economic, social and political contexts and the lack of material conservation and management systems increases the vulnerability of heritage properties. Under the provisions of Section 2 (42A) of the K.M.C. Act 1980 the definition of heritage building runs as "heritage building means any building of one or more premises, or any part thereof, which requires preservation and conservation for historical, architectural, environmental or ecological purpose and includes such portion of the land adjoining such building or any part thereof as may be required for fencing or covering or otherwise preserving such building” Sindh is well known for its well preserved architectural heritage. The land of Sindh occupies an important place in the history of human civilization. It is almostas old as the humanity itself. The cultural heritage of this land of legends is an importantingredient of the world culture. It therefore deserves a viable place in the national as well asinternational strategies for conservation of heritage. Heritage sites and buildings are an important aspect of enhancing the relationship of human and history. An attractive heritage site is a proven source of benefit to local economies especially through tourism. It assists in attracting external investment as well as maintaining existing business other than tourism. A heritage site can be a potent driver for promoting community action and establishing society reinforcement. Attractive cultural heritage sites are an excellent location for enhancing educational activities among community people in order to promote awareness in people about the importance of historical buildings. In this way these sites can be a good way of bringing communities together through a shared understanding of the unique cultural identity heritage places give to an area. Historical buildings serve as reminders of the past. They remind the people of what were they before and where are they heading towards. Once the people look at a historical place, they will remember the past and this way they will be connected to the place. The historical building would allow the people to understand what happened in the past and how things will change in the future. In this way preserving the historical buildings would enlighten the people with a sense of hope. As the community and local people are most close to the historical buildings, therefore the play a significant role in managing and preserving the historic buildings. Since the people living in the locality of a heritage building know the background of the particular monument, they would think of strategies to preserve the beautification and importance of the building and to see it outstanding in the environment. This is only possible if the local people get knowledge of the particular heritage building. By gaining knowledge of the heritage structure’s historical background, the community people could strive for adoptable approaches to increase the importance of the monument so that the structure on its own could represent its history. The community plays a vital role in promoting tourism in their country as they are aware of the benefits of preserving heritage monuments. As they are more responsive of the problems that they are facing, they could think of a sound solution to their problems. The involvement of indigenous people and communities in the management of heritage sites is paramount. Issues such as land rights, shared benefits and access to resources are of crucial importance. Native peoples and local communities therefore represent key actors in the protection of these outstanding places. Community participation is also very important in heritage management becauseit induces them a sense of responsibility to take care of the history. Cultural and architectural heritage management induces a sense of ownership for a place that stands as a link between the past and present. Since heritage brings pride and a sense of identity and ownership to local people, they consider its management much more than donating money to a good cause. Moreover, the heritage management fulfills the need and contributes to social and educational betterment of neglected regions. Revitalization of heritage brings new opportunities for enhancing business and local trade. It helps citizens to learn about their heritage, providing local identity, pride and community spirit about their environment. In doing so, revitalization empowers communities, resulting in social stability and prosperity. The UNESCO, Council of Europe and other international organizations are striving hard to promote awareness about the cultural heritage preservation. Debates concerning archaeological research, heritage preservation, and heritage management have increased in recent years, often as an effect of such organizations, and their rules and standards As communities and their associated activities give character to a place, therefore their participation is very essential and it is very important to keep them informed and make them participate in the process of developing strategies and proposals In order to establish awareness of general public regarding heritage buildings, the Department of Architecture and Planning, NED University was involved in one of the prestigious research project of the resurvey of Karachi Heritage Buildings. In 1964, the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) prepared a list of 42 limited historic buildings, which was confined itself to prominent governmental buildings. Pamphlets/brochures were distributed to the local people. The result came out to be positive. The people agreed to help the management an authority in achieving their required task and a new willing environment was set up. On the other side, talks were made with the labor groups and in house people in order to motivate them to keep the heritage sites clean and to make them outstanding in the locality. Heritage Foundation in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany and City District Government inaugurated the Karachi e-library at the Municipal Archives and Research Department, KMC on 7th April, 2011. The event was also showcased by an exhibition of photographs of UNESCO world Heritage Sites in Germany and Pakistan. Furthermore, the government bodies of the local sector should be persuaded to perform their duties and pay the working people their wages so that the purpose of the heritage sites lasts for a longer time which has been reduced due to their mismanagement. To attain this purpose, notices should be given to government bodies so that they gain the importance of the preservation of heritage buildings and the ample affects it has in the establishment of a society. Rehabilitation of an existing building can have zoning benefits of which one benefit is cost effectiveness of heritage buildings For example, a site with a warehouse building that is tight to the property lines could allow 12 or more housing units whereas a new building would have to conform to current zoning laws which would allow only a duplex to be built on the same site. A heritage building contributes to new chances of rehabilitation that arises from using the already made building instead of starting from sketch. Because the quality of materials is much higher in old buildings than in new, the occupants of their units show a greater level of respect to their surroundings, substantially reducing maintenance costs. Also because the exterior building shell of a heritage building already exists, construction can take place in winter, and take advantage of more competitive pricing for contract work. The reviving of a heritage building is very cost effective as it produces large amount of wastes to be used in other environmental projects. For example, demolishing a typical brick house produces an average of 60-100 tons of waste. Due to the large amount of waste, the tipping fee at landfills has risen substantially in most urban centers. For example, in Toronto it rose 600% over a 7 year period. In Karachi, dumping The cultural heritage of Sindh, as an important ingredient of the world heritage, needs comprehensive elaboration, scientific documentation, proper preservation, and global publicity. It is more so important because the process of decay at the sites of Sindh is faster than speed of effort aimed at its conservation. Heritage buildings contribute to enhancing the everlasting effects of a society. They help a city to become outstanding among other modern places as historical buildings give a place more prominence and blend the new structures with the old ones. Historic preservation has been an important part of urban planning. As such, many cities around the world today are able to retain their historic buildings so future generations can see what cities may have looked like in the past and recognize that time's culture through its architecture.