Harnessing the hidden potential of cities - NIKU

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Cultural Heritage, Traditional Craftsmanship in Urban Conflict Recovery – Kabul tHaLIa kENNEDy Abstract Presentation 4 The position of cultural heritage within recovery from conflict and disaster may relate to different aspects of urban environment and economies, to include the restoration of historic fabrics and sites, support for museums and collected artefacts, revitalised societal centres and cultural traditions, or heritage and tourist economies. As a country that has seen prolonged conflict over recent decades, the cultural heritage and associated economies of Afghanistan have been eroded, and as a result have in some instances been the focus for recent development assistance. As one of a number of organisations working in this sector, the mission of the Turquoise Mountain Trust in Kabul has been the support of aspects of the country’s cultural heritage within an urban context. This keynote presentation will review, from the course of the project, some of the lessons learnt, challenges, and areas of success or difficulty, within the Turquoise Mountain Trust’s activities, and suggests initial practice themes from this project experience. Murad Khane, Kabul © 28 harnessing the hidden potential of cities report from the oslo workshop
Introduction My grateful thanks to Carsten and NIKU for the very kind invitation to speak at this workshop and to the World Bank for requesting this innovative conference focusing on the hidden potential of cities. I have been invited to talk on cultural heritage and urban conflict recovery through the prism of the projects of the Turquoise Mountain Trust (TMT) in Kabul. I will give a brief description of TMT’s work, before summarising the factors that enabled the implementation of projects. I would then like to comment on some aspects of the work with craftsmanship, as a link between historic fabric, traditional artisanal skills and economic opportunities. Project description The Turquoise Mountain Trust was founded in 2006, as a non-governmental, non-profit organisation, at the request and under the patronage of HRH Charles, Prince of Wales, and HE President Hamid Karzai. It is one of a number of cultural heritage organisations based in Afghanistan, which include the extensive projects of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, the Foundation for Culture and Civil Society, and UNESCO. TMT’s activities have focused on Murad Khane, a precinct of Kabul’s Old City. Murad Khane is located on the bank of the Kabul River. It was recognised in 2006 by the Afghan government as an area of historic and cultural significance. It is home to tens of historic buildings, impressive and decorative earthen residences built by the Shia Qizlbash community in the last two centuries. Its historic fabric has been compromised in recent decades, with the rapid deterioration and demolition of buildings, and little investment in infrastructure or services. Today, the area is ethnically diverse, with a majority Tajik population (53%) although Qizlbash (28%) still represent the most powerful ethnic group due to their wealth and landownership. 1 The precinct is home to one of the city’s main Shia shrines, the Ziarat Abu’l Fazl, with an adjacent bazaar. Local livelihoods are primarily in construction materials, jewellery, groceries, tools, and supplying ritual items and food for shrine visitors. There are around 50 1 The area comprises 53% Tajik; 28% Qizlbash; 12% intermarriage between Pashtun, Turk, Tajik and Hazara; 7% Other, based on E. Andersen, Murad Khane Socio-Economic Report, July 2009. family groups in the residential zone. It is a low-income area with social problems and instability, poor health and low levels of education. 2 In 2006, the Murad Khane community council (shura) invited TMT to begin restoration and heritage activities in the area. TMT has taken a holistic approach to cultural heritage activities in Murad Khane, focusing on three key areas; architectural restoration, training in traditional craftsmanship to support the transmission of skills and knowledge, and the development of associated crafts and restoration business opportunities.3 Traditional craftsmanship has linked all areas of activity, and created a pivotal element around which economic opportunity has been developed. Architectural restoration began in Murad Khane in 2006, following a full structural survey and documentation, working on residential and disused historic buildings using traditional materials and craftsmanship methods. The transmission of craft skills and knowledge to young people has been achieved through on-site training at the restoration site, and through establishing an Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture. The Institute is now located in formerly derelict buildings in Murad Khane, restored for the purpose as part of the wider programme. New buildings have also been constructed on empty ground, using traditional methods and materials, to accommodate Institute activities. The third key area of activity has been to develop products, markets and sales opportunities for masters and artisans in training. This has been undertaken through an in-house design and production unit that has served to identify and explore markets, oversee product development, and establish best practice and quality control, with a particular focus to date on jewellery, calligraphy and woodwork. 2 E. Andersen, Murad Khane Socio-Economic Report, July 2009. 3 TMT has also made infrastructural improvements in the area, including clearance of waste that had accumulated up to seven feet in depth, sanitation, public water supply, paved public spaces and streets, electricity pipes and cables, a decorative entrance door for the local mosque, and basic structural improvements to some shops in the bazaar area. A public healthcare clinic and primary school have also been established for the use of the local community, now under Afghan management as independent local entities. Infrastructure and social assets have been considered alongside cultural heritage in the area. See W. Beharrell, Turquoise Mountain: An Approach to Community Development in Murad Khane 2009–2011, December 2008. report from the oslo workshop harnessing the hidden potential of cities 29
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Page 5 and 6: Foreword The world is urbanizing ra
Page 7 and 8: ■ ■ ■ INDEX INTRODUCTION AND
Page 9 and 10: The workshop had four elements: Ê
Page 11 and 12: than 10 years still a major, urban
Page 13 and 14: The city is where history is happen
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Page 17 and 18: The vicious and the virtuous circle
Page 19 and 20: excluded from the social contract.
Page 21 and 22: illion in the year 1900 to 6 billio
Page 23 and 24: Global urban environment 2100 - rev
Page 25 and 26: Introduction Cities are now at the
Page 27 and 28: City (SDI) planned suburbia © Mark
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Page 35 and 36: order to respond to the contemporar
Page 37 and 38: MODEratOr: OLaf gErLaCH-HaNsEN suMM
Page 39 and 40: The Public Private Partnership Expe
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Page 45 and 46: These issues were more easily under
Page 47 and 48: area measures about 1177 sq. m. Bet
Page 49 and 50: Conclusions In conclusion, the Publ
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Page 63 and 64: The Four Pillars The main issue is
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Page 73 and 74: Background Kakheti is one of the hi
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Housing Rehabilitation and Communit
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Rehabilitation of site with aid of
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Coordination meeting with the neigh
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The Logic of Cultural Narrative in
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community actions by shaping people
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© report from the oslo workshop ha
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y engineers, lack the local-cultura
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MODEratOr aND suMMary By: MarIE LOu
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ÊÊIf heritage is contested it is
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Introduction This is a presentation
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Naleen before and after restoration
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ked to such spaces. My final though
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Conservation: A Way for Solidarity
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Caravansary of Babur garden, Kabul
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a cistern to the north and a semi-u
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Timurid tile-work, have been restor
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ÊÊAny project must allow time and
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cultural identity and preserve dign
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■ ■ ■ PartICIPaNts Session 1
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