An analysis of urban regeneration and architectural heritage saving in kabul since 2001

Abstract

The tragic civil war in Afghanistan, since April 1978, has dealt a severe and destructive blow to the physical and social fabric of cities of the country. The regrettable victims in this conflict, however, which were entrapped, are the historic neighbourhoods in the cities, where fierce street-to-street fighting and use of heavy weaponry resulted in the utter destruction of their fine residential fabric and left some of the valuable historic buildings in ruin. Like many important urban and architectural heritage in Islamic cities, Kabul evolved through the agent of continued cultural participation, which entrusted deeper meanings to its architecture and urban form. Historically, Kabul, with its wonderful traditional architecture of courtyards, lavish Timurid (later Mughal) gardens, decorated worship centres and its glowing historic bazaars that enticed trade enterprises and merchants around the region, sustained a vibrant city life for its citizens. With an analysis of historical development and discussion of the importance of architectural and urban heritage of the historic city, this article will illustrate the postwar efforts of local and international aid organizations and their undertaking in the historical conservation process. The article will represent a case study of Murad-Khani, a historical conservation project in the Old City of Kabul, and deliberate its impact on the neighbourhood regeneration process. It will further examine the process of revitalization of architectural and urban heritage in the Old City in light of social and economic regeneration and cultural awareness.

An evaluation of architectural monuments in Afghanistan as in the capital city, Kabul

“…The working procedure is shown in a flow chart (Figure 2). 1 Afghanistan's traditional architecture (Bechhoefer, 1989;Dupree, 1973;Hallet & Samizay, 1980), Herati traditional housing , Traditional housing complex in Kabul Old city (Bechhoefer, 1975), Traditional Afghan settlements (Watts, 1981), Indigenous architecture of Afghanistan (Szabo & Barfield, 1991), Residential prototypes in Kabul city and urban growth , Urban and rural dwelling environments in Kabul city (Kazimee, 1977), Vernacular architecture in Afghanistan (Najimi, 2016), European and Afghanistan Architecture Adaptations (Dupree, 1977), Cultural heritage and architecture of Afghanistan (Dupree, 2002), Historical overview of the Islamic heritage in Afghanistan (Aalund, 2003), National identity of Afghanistan architecture (Issa, 2006), Architectural heritage conservation in Afghanistan (Najimi, 2011), Architectural heritage saving in Kabul (Kazimee & Najimi, 2017).…”

“…In the sacred book of Hindus' Rig-Veda, 1500 BC, Kabuha is stated as representing current Kabul River (Anwar, 2017). Moreover, Kabul, during the 675 AD had been an important strategic commercial and visiting center (Kazimee & Najimi, 2017). Ptolemy in the middle of the second century has mentioned the Kabul city by the name of 'Kabura' and its residence as 'Kabulitae' (Issa & Kohistani, 2007;Kohzad, 1968).…”

“…As the location of Kabul city on ancient trade routes connecting India and China to the Persian trade routes and beyond to the West proves the opportunity of developing and represents many historical aspects which are considered as inherently important factors to its development (Kazimee & Najimi, 2017). The buildings in Kabul city are mostly designed following the traditional architecture representing the various needs of social and cultural requirements and the housing prototype is introverted courtyard house that perfectly matches with cultural requirements of Afghanistan lifestyle (Kazimee, 2006;Kazimee & Najimi, 2017). In addition to traditional architecture of Kabul city, the architectural style in Kabul city can be divided into two sections based on civilizations' influences: before and after emerging Islamic religion.…”

“…Unfortunately, the ancient architectural history of Afghanistan has not been investigated well yet, however, the archaeological studies in various parts of the country indicate that diverse historical monuments will be discovered if detailed investigations are carried out in the future (Frye, 1946). The traditional architecture of Afghanistan is the product of many centuries' long developments, which reflects "regional identity" and "traditional sense of place" (Kazimee & Najimi, 2017). The traditional urbanism and architecture in Afghanistan usually encompass Kalas, or square forts and caravanserais providing adequate protection for local inhabitants against the enemy (Frye, 1946;Issa, 2006;Najimi, 2016).…”

“…Also the architectural style of Kabul city particularly reflects the culture and architectural style of the whole country (Issa, 2006;Najimi, 2016). Kabul, as the historical city of Afghanistan, introduces various cultural repositories with its architecture and urban forms resulted by the developments of various generations (Kazimee & Najimi, 2017). Based on a prominent study as in (Sharifzai, Kitagawa, Halimee, Habib, & Sakaguchi, 2016), Contemporary Afghanistan residential architecture and lifestyle governing in Kabul city have been converged with modern and foreign architecture that transformed new urbanism and dwelling into a unfavorable form clashing with Afghanistan traditional culture and environment.…”