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

Mamuna Iqbal, Usman Awan, Madiha Zaman — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

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

Muiz Khalifa Ahmed — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

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

Sania Rehman Memon, Furqan Javed, Salman Mateen — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

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.