Research Methods Assignment 3 Ayesha Rao

WHAT ARE YOU RESEARCHING /PLANNING/DESIGNING?

WHY IS IT WORTHWHILE?

W HO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE RESEARCH PROJECT?

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO RESEARCH /PLAN/DESIGN IT?

Mixed-Use Heritage Centre

A cultural hub to celebrate the lost essence of Rawalpindi’s Heritage, giving back to people
and forming community social ties.
This project proposal in is intended to be in heart of Rawalpindi, centrally located and in
close proximity to various heritage precincts of the city. This design would have museum and
exhibition spaces with displays on heritage of Rawalpindi, a Learning Centre, workshops and
studio spacers for hands-on learning experiences, performing arts centre focused on creating
a space for local performer. And since it would be a major centre point, it would attract
tourist, so having hotel space would knit all programs together.
The project is important since these heritage sites are hidden and not many people know of
them and if something is not done to preserve them, they will get close to mere extinction and
leave behind skeletal remains of very precious architectural heritage within the area. By
creating a Centre that specializes in preservatory efforts and provides a space for revitalizing
local arts and crafts, and doing heritage conservation of these areas is the utmost need so that
the decreasing heritage of the city can be recovered. The interest and revenue from this centre
can be utilized in the conservation of the heritage sites and create social spaces for
community regeneration, and reactivate the public layer of Rawalpindi.
This cultural centre aims to preserve and celebrate the diversity found within Rawalpindi’s
narrow streets. By creating such cultural centre, it would raise awareness and thus it would
promote tourism, that would eventually increase the revenue that could be used to improve
the street problems related to infrastructure or utilities. It would act as a breathing space for
people within the dense fabric of Rawalpindi. And through intervention of a Cultural centre,
people would know the nearby temples and important sites so their lost essence could be
revitalized.
Research can be obtained using surveys that gather data on the general awareness of the
population regarding the hidden heritage sites within Rawalpindi. Secondly, small albeit
inactive bodies do exist within Rawalpindi that have documented the existence of such
temples who can be contacted for the exchange of relevant information. Planning would
involve the identification of key locations, close to the temple for the erection of the Cultural
centre as well as identifying potential social spaces around it and the various users and
stakeholders

Slums Transformation through Architectural Design

Addressing slums living problems in urban environment setting, and role of some
architectural intervention that could potentially improve living in slums.

1
Research Methods Assignment 3 Ayesha Rao

Urban intervention to improve the slums area in Islamabad is the target goal. Redeveloping
the area with consideration of the lifestyle of people inhabiting those slums. Revitalization of
the streets, affordable low budget moveable/transformable housing blocks, since these are
informal settlements, using local tools materials and crafts and enhancing the environment by
landscaping. Locality involved to make the process successful and its maintenance in future.
The research consists of physical, social, economic, and environmental factors to be
improved.
Being polluted and unplanned, these slums are referred as discarded places in a city. Not only
this but the inhabitants of these slums are not happy with their living conditions, lack of
hygiene, pollution, the people suffer from many respiratory diseases. Upgradation of this area
will not only improve living quality but also add to the beauty of city. People living in slums
are deprived from basic facilities: health, educational, infrastructure etc. There is a need to
upgrade in order to enhance the income- earning opportunities. Landscaping can activate the
site and social nodes can be created. Transforming the burden into something that outspreads
benefits.
Investing in local public goods through upgrading catalyses private investments. Improving
basic facilities in the area means giving life to millions of people who suffer because of
contaminated surrounding. Income earning opportunities lowers the unemployment and also
the crime rate. Targeting a specific small area can provide solution to the bigger problems.
Landscaping helps to create tourist spots allows for economic benefits to the residents and
government.
Creating some practical solutions responsive for the needs of urban poor. Dealing it as an
urban renewal project, focusing on the aspects that fall under this heading. Green pockets that
act as social node and they shape the plan of the area. Reviving the tradition by using local
materials. Through questionnaires and in person meetings with dwellers investigating what
are the problems in specific and what are their expectations and ideas. Building up on their
ideas and keeping in mind the architectural elements and principles the process of designing
will proceed.