Pakistan · 13 February 2020 · 2 min
The cultural capital of Pakistan, and one of the world's most historically fascinating cities - Lahore - has retained much of its historic heritage despite centuries of turbulence. Today it remains a vibrant epicentre of commercial and cultural activity.
In 2005, the Government of Pakistan requested AKTC to make technical contributions to the World Bank funded area development Shahi Guzargah pilot project in the Walled City of Lahore. The work carried out was initiated under a public-private partnership framework agreement, signed in 2007 with the Government of Punjab. The technical engagement of the Trust still continues on several ongoing projects, which include major Mughal period monuments such as the 17th century Mughal period public bathhouse known as the Shahi Hammam as well as Chowk Wazir Khan, the north facade of the Wazir Khan Mosque, the famous Picture Wall and the Royal Kitchens in the World Heritage Site of the Lahore Fort. AKTC also aided the Punjab Government in the preparation of a Master Conservation and Re-Development Plan for the Walled City of Lahore.
This book explores every aspect of that effort, including drafting a strategic master plan, mapping strategies for conserving monuments, gardens, and temples, renovating neighborhoods and landscapes, and developing environmental solutions. It focuses on specific sites, such as the breath-taking Shahi Hammam, or Royal Bath; the Shahi Guzargah heritage trail; the fabled Imperial Kitchen; Lahore Fort - a World Heritage site - and the Badshahi and Wazir Khan mosques.
Filled with illustrations, maps, architectural plans, and detailed information about the engineering and conservation projects, this book is an unparalleled exploration of urban renaissance at its most ambitious, as well as a thrilling introduction to one of the world's most important cultural cities.
It includes chapters by prominent academics such as Saifur Rehman Dar and Nadhra Shahbaz Khan, conservation architects and planners such as Masood Khan, Anthony Wain, Deon Pretorius, Francois du Plessis, Didier Repellin, and Christophe Bouleau, as well as contributions by AKTC executives Luis Monreal, Cameron Rashti and Jurjen van der Tas. The book also consists of contributions by AKCSP staff and consultants who have been actively involved in each of the projects in the Walled City. High resolution photographs, which were very important to illustrate the visual significance of Lahore’s historic sites, were captured by Adrien Buchet in 2018. The publication also includes urban analytical maps, architectural drawings, and illustrations that were derived from years of work by in-house professionals and consultants working on the individual projects.
The book is available through Amazon and other online book retailers.