Cultivating Cultural Heritage: Revitalisation of Historic Values of Inner-City Rawalpindi

Abstract

Over the years Rawalpindi has witnessed several narrative shifts — from being a historic settlement to a garrison city to its current twin-to-lslamabad identity. Today, the race to compete with the metropolitan capital has led to loss of previous cultural practices in the inner films of Rawalpindi, in turn leading to fragmentation of the rich cultural heritage of the context. With an aim to rejuvenate the unique cultural value around College Road and Gawalmandi, the project focuses on harboring an Interpretation and Resource Centre that preserves and disseminates knowledge of localised history and artisanal practices through formal built spaces for these activities. Said crafting practices were quantitatively documented to narrow down what was historically significant but is now just a memory, with qualitative data serving as an anchoring point to the cultural significance of the history and oral narratives. Combining this Knowledge, the space intends to facilitate documentation: serving locals, academic professionals and inquisitive visitors, Hence, with a close tie to the local stakeholders involved, the project cultivates ownership in the area, propelling community-centric research and hands-on production, eventually culminating as displays for the public.