| Abstract | Conservation of old, historic areas, is generally justified
on psychological basis, for the link it offers between the past, present
and future of the built heritage. The alternative policy of
redevelopment of such areas, has been acknowledged as an unsound
proposition, even in countries with abundant economic resources.
However, in view of other pressing issues of development, situations of
constrained economic resources (developing countries), demand a very
clear and strong justification for conservation of old areas.
This study, through an evaluation of the Lahore walled
City project proposals, relevant to upgrading and conservation, aims at
providing an answer to the vital question: Is upgrading and
conservation, a viable and desirable option for Lahore walled City?. The
walled City is an historical artifact as Hell as a living community.
Both the artifact and the organism would be deleteriously affected by
any radical physical interventions.
The viability of the project has been analyzed, through a
critical review of the workability of the project proposals, in view of
the opinions of technical experts and impact of the project in terms of
improvement in infrastructure conditions. Secondly, the desirability for
the project ha s been judged, in two sample areas (Lohari and Yekki)
through people' s opinion and preference for an area improvement project,
people's satisfaction with the project (Lohari area only) and people's
willingness to contribute, both through voluntary labour and in
financial terms (Yekki area only).
The results of data analysis indicate that the
infrastructure conditions in Lohari area have improved after the project
and are much better than those in Yekki area. However, contrary to the
assumptions of the project, the analysis shows no correlation between
improved infrastructure conditions and building improvements, in the
project area. The study concludes that, in the absence of effective
institutional control and existing economic condition of the majority of
the walled City population, any effort to Hards conservation has very
few, if any chances of success. Moreover, the upgrading exercise may
a l so have undesirable results, in view of the increased economic
pressure on the residents, exerted through increase in tariffs for the
improved services. Finally, recommendations for further study in this
field have been made , so as to look into the possibilities of achieving
the objectives of conservation in a resource constrained environment
such as that of Pakistan. |