Kabul Urban Survey - Groupe URD

• Strategic maps
On the strategic maps are highlighted some components of the city according to the strategic
objectives but no more data. On the left, only the streets are drawn, on the right only areas
and main roads.
Figure 50: 1942(?) CIA Kabul area map
Figure 51: 1980 Kabul map
Source: Internet
Source: Internet
“Portion of sheet I-42 J Kabul. Original scale 1:253,440 Compiled and published originally under the
direction of the Surveyor-General of India 1916 and Revised to 1940. Published by the War Office,
1942 and reprinted by the U.S. Army Map Service October 1942.”
• Inadequate urban maps
Whether the source be Russian, American or Arabic, the data, scale or landscape
information provided by these maps are not of much use for urban issues. Either the maps
are too complicated or too simple
Figure 52: 1985 Russian Kabul map, scale: 1/50 000 Figure 53: 1992 US Kabul map
Source: Internet
Source: Internet
Comments
The military objectives or international political stakes are clearly the origin of the
majority of maps in Afghanistan. The study of historical maps allows us to identify some
of Kabul’s urban characteristics and urban actors that must be taken into consideration
in the urban reconstruction process, including:
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