Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme
Urban Renewal and Restoration with Local Participation
Oct 31, 2008
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) has described urban renewal in Afghanistan to be “as much an act of faith as a technological undertaking.” A combination of hope, community consultations, technical expertise and a long time horizon are essential to the success of AKTC’s renewal efforts.
The AKTC’S Historic Cities Programme is one of a family of non-denominational development agencies established by His Highness the Aga Khan. The Programme operates in Afghanistan with the goal of engaging local communities in restoring once beautiful cities like Kabul and Herat. Other objectives include bettering the quality of life for low income earners and using projects as a springboard for economic and social development.
The Programme builds on what remains of cultural highpoints from the past. Architectural achievements in Kabul include the Timur Shah Mausoleum, the historic residential district of Asheqan wa Arefan, and Baghe Babur, the 16th century Mughal garden of Emperor Babur.
The AKTC has learned over decades of supporting communities in the developing world that a generation is not too long for achieving its objectives.
Urban Conservation in the Historic Neighbourhoods of Kabul
The Asheqan wa Arefan residential district has been one of the Programme’s test cases in Afghanistan. It has offered lessons in collaborating with local residents and officials on urban renewal plans, and in training local workers in construction techniques that had fallen out of use. Progress has been slow and piecemeal given the immense development pressures in this inner-city area.
Asheqan wa Arefan was once the historic quarters of the old city. Over time, it had become a densely settled, run-down neighbourhood; local officials regarded it as a slum. With pressures on land and housing increasing, the old city is now attracting more attention from commercial interests. At more than 250 residents per hectare, it is one of the most densely populated quarters of Kabul.
Since 2002, the Programme’s representatives have been working with local planners and residents on a workable rehabilitation plan. Detailed documentation of the historic fabric has been conducted, including mapping of key historic buildings and infrastructure. Simultaneously, residents from 600 households have participated in consultations to identify planning priorities over a five year period. The AKTC has provided support for the establishment of a Historic Cities department within the Ministry of Urban Development.
Building Trust through Restoration of Historic Buildings
In order to build trust with local residents and an understanding of traditional construction techniques, the AKTC focused initially on restoring a local mosque in the Usbekha community. The mosque had suffered direct damage during the conflict of 1992. Not only has the mosque been rebuilt, but local workers who were underemployed have received intensive on-the-job training.
The AKTC has since documented and repaired four other community mosques, along with restoring the Asheqan wa Arefan shrine and a traditional, communal bath house or hamman, in an area where many homes lack plumbing. Upgrading of homes and the infrastructure in the old city has resulted in improved environmental conditions for residents.
Urban Regeneration: Multi-Variable, Multi-Stakeholder, Multi-Phased
At a time when foreign governments are questioning the wisdom of having their soldiers stationed any longer in Afghanistan, the commitment of the AKTC is admirable. The cultural trust is nonetheless questioned constantly about its initiatives in the country. “Why restore gardens when people have nowhere to live?” is a common query.
The AKTC’s answer is that it seeks to maintain a fine line between development and conservation, providing jobs and training in traditional construction while recognizing and responding to new needs and opportunities. Restoring cultural artifacts like mosques in the old city or public parks like Baghe Babur has created enduring relationships with citizens: a prerequisite to even bigger development projects in a country desperate for assistance.
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