Journal of Art, Architecture and Built Environment

Exploration of Tools and Techniques for Studying the Tangible and Intangible Aspects of Urban Settlements: Evidence from a Postgraduate Design Studio

2025-01-15T11:46:58+00:00

This research study investigates the tangible and intangible aspects of the urban settlement and explores the tools for it. It was based on a post-graduation design studio named Understanding Urban Settlement, which is part of the Masters in Architecture program at a leading university in Lahore, Pakistan. The research is based on the exploratory methodological approach to attain a deep understanding of the social, cultural, environmental and religious characteristics of the Walled City of Lahore. It further explored the effects of these aspects and the way they affect the built environment, particularly the urban squares. The characteristics of the urban squares became the central part of the study through the research question formulated by students. The tools of space syntax and depth map and the approaches of psychogeographic analysis, systems thinking, and giga mapping were applied. These three approaches make the three sections of the exploratory methodology. Furthermore, the tools helped to understand various aspects of the city, where space syntax helped to explore the tangible character of the built environment and psychogeographic analysis helped to comprehend the intangible nature of social character in the city. Systems thinking and giga mapping are used to grasp and make sense of all the data gathered through the first two tools. The results showed that using these tools not only provides the framework to understand the most complex urban scenarios but also helped to triangulate the information through different sources. Based on the work of the students and their feedback about the three explored tools, it became evident that these approaches helped them to visualize the city under a new light and made the most complex urban scenarios a little more comprehensible. It also showed that the intangible and tangible characteristics of a city are co-dependent and exploring the social and cultural aspects of a city helps to develop a deeper and complete understanding of the spatial character of a city.

Identity of Sikh Architecture in Lahore

2025-01-15T11:53:23+00:00

The current research focused on the “analytical aspects of change in architectural style” of Lahore that took place due to ethnographical, anthropological, and administrative changes brought about by Ranjīt Singh and the shift of architectural identity of Lahore. The study focused on the process of planning and construction of streets and buildings. It also aimed to build a narrative about the shift of architectural identity of the city. Furthermore, it also highlighted the new identity of the city gained during the reign of Mahārāja Ranjīt Singh. Many stories and folklores are linked to the origin of the name “Lahore” as the city was inhabited about 2000 B.C. According to the Hindu tradition, the word “Lahore” is based on the name of Loh, one of the sons of Rāma, the king of Ayūdhiya. Before the Sikh rāj, Lahore was governed by Mughals and was known as the “City of Gardens”. Afterwards, Lahore saw the Sikh period of devastation and extermination. Initially, Sikh sardārs fought for Lahore, looted the city, and then divided it into three parts. Each part was governed by a Sikh sardār. The anarchy of the Sikh period came to a halt with the beginning of Rāja Ranjīt Singh’s reign. He took a keen interest in the administration and construction of the city. Many new ḥavelis and gardens were constructed not only by Ranjīt Singh, however, also by his courtiers.

Development of Slums in Qasimabad, Sindh

2025-01-15T11:56:23+00:00

The word ‘slum is often used to describe an area characterized by chaotic settlements with poor basic facilities and inadequate living conditions. UN-HABITAT defines slum living as a dwelling where people live in close quarters in urban areas. The dwellers of slums require enough living space, long-term housing, access to quality drinking water, and a proper sanitation system as a basic living right. The development of slums in Pakistan, as in many other third-world nations, is due to increasing urbanization. Moreover, it is also the outcome of the government's inability to provide rural migrants in urban centers with the housing they need. Hyderabad, one of the fastest-growing cities in the province, has seen significant industrialization, with the Qasimabad sub-local being the area most affected by the urbanization process in Hyderabad. This region has seen the conversion of 3508 agricultural land parcels into a housing development. Precise data points were found while gathering the data and reports. Secondary data, in the form of census reports, master plans, and various evaluations, was used to explore the issues faced by people living in slums. By combining GIS, field surveys, and community engagement, stakeholders may create comprehensive maps highlighting the challenges and opportunities within unplanned neighborhoods. However, findings revealed that Qasimabad has experienced a significant rise in slum areas, highlighting several underlying socioeconomic and infrastructural challenges.

Architectural Documentation for Cultural Heritage: A Case Study of Haribhai Pragji Karia High School, Karachi

2025-01-15T11:57:23+00:00

Documentation is an umbrella term that comprises a number of phases: architectural, historical, social, economic, and ethnographic documentation. However, architectural documentation is considered a primary step towards a systematic cultural heritage preservation process. Heritage preservation is a contested issue in many developing countries, such as Pakistan, which are grappling to meet the basic necassities of everyday life. The situation gets consolidated with a vulnerable state of heritage legislative framework and its reduced implications. Thus, the current study aimed to discuss the process of architectural documentation of the Doctors’ Mess, also known as Haribhai Pragji Karia High School, as a case in one of the live projects carried out in Karachi. The methodology adopted for this study revolved around the various stages involved in the process, such as archival consultation, measured architectural documentation, on-site (field) exercises, and photographic documentation. The process further focused on the architectural investigation of this historic structure located in Karachi’s Ranchore Line Quarter. The findings of the current study showed how critical it is for any project's implementation to have a firm foundation in the form of accurate architectural drawings and other relevant data. The accuracy of the restoration/revitalization project can be judged on the basis of good quality drawings produced through the meticulous architectural documentation process. In conclusion, the documentation revealed previously unrecorded details about the building’s architectural features, its issues of decay, and its possible reasons, shedding light on its evolution and the cultural influences that shaped its design. Eventually, the current study highlighted the importance of thorough documentation in the preservation of heritage buildings. Moreover, it also offered a detailed record that would aid in the ongoing efforts to maintain cultural heritage for future generations.

Growth of Urban Forms in Informal Settlements: A Study of Streetscapes in Mlalakuwa Neighborhood, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

2025-01-15T11:57:59+00:00

This paper examines the streetscapes as an urban form in the Mlalakuwa informal settlement in the Kinondoni district of Dar es Salaam. It investigates how the various spatial organisations manifest themselves through the multiple streets. By using observation and mapping methods, we look at how streetscapes are evolving in tandem with growing urban forms, following population densities and activity changes. We study how the conglomeration of urban forms, which appears to expedite the layouts of the streetscapes to range in size and shape, allows the creation of distinct morphological spaces. Originally, the streetscapes in the Mlalakuwa neighbourhood had an interesting territorial depth where collectivity and community interaction occurred. The changing of the verandas of houses into shops and workshops and the construction of thorn hedges and sturdy fences erected on properties illustrate a shift in streetscapes. This shift creates sometimes interesting new possibilities, but also important losses. Next to the appearance of novel collective spaces around the new commercial functions, they also generate harsher, non-friendly spaces that have a specific relationship with their surroundings, urban fabrics of open spaces, and urban identities. Because of the increasing population, the densification of open spaces for social and economic activities has become a significant feature in the urban form. From the year 2000 to the year 2020, there has been an increase in new types of social and economic activities when services appeared not only for the neighbourhood but also for the surrounding city. This resulted in a reduction in the urban permeability of some open spaces that were, at the time, enjoyed by the local community. The study showed that 8 of the 13 streets are defined by a diversity of commercial activities. At the same time, the ongoing erection of thorn hedges and solid fences for security purposes creates hard divisions between private and public spaces. Insight on these changes may help to shape strategic urban planning and the prompt adoption of sensible streetscape strategies in developing cities and informal settlements.

Diverse Sacred Experiences in Placemaking: A Study of Data Darbar Complex

2025-01-15T12:13:48+00:00

The current study aimed to examine one of the most famous and visited shrine of Pakistan with focus on the spiritual spatial dynamics of the Ali Hajveri Shrine, or Data Darbar Complex. For this purpose, the theoretical framework of placemaking was used. Visitors with a deep, intangible spiritual connection visit the shrine. This emphasizes the shrine’s role as a communal site with a daily influx of thousands of people. The visitation of people to the shrine showcases its significance as a refuge for the homeless which also serves as a symbol of hope. The study explored how effectively the shrine develops spiritual connections and enhances visitor experiences through its architectural elements. The expansion of the shrine has introduced new layers and systems which complicate the visitor experience. The courtyard creates a strong connection with the ground and sky; however, lower ground floor limits this experience. The confined dim spaces lack a divine connection and fail to develop cohesive spatial relationship. By analyzing the historical evolution of the site, as detailed by Ghaffar Shahzad, the research aimed to offer a comprehensive understanding of how the development of the shrine has shaped the spiritual and visitor experiences over time, with reference to spirituality and placemaking.