PARWAAZ: EMPOWERING WOMEN FOR A RESILIENT COMMUNITY

Abstract

The high frequency of socio-economic setbacks in the neighborhoods of Rawalpindi has remained a matter of constant concern particularly among families of the working class. Fluctuating wages and volatility of blue-collar jobs makes running a household sustainably difficult in the presence of a single breadwinner, as well as meddles with social life of the family, and ultimately, the community. Only alternate solutions and efforts of the entire household and community can help develop the resilience they need to face, adapt, and recover from such shocks. This thesis focuses on exploring the potential of women in this matter. Architecture can be used as a tool to build community resilience by empowering women. By educating them and identifying the skills that have the potential to generate income, at the same time as providing the necessary resources and audience needed to make the startups work, women can have a wider range of opportunities and a higher success rate compared to before. In the form of an opportunity center for the women Rahimabad, the building will comprise of an educational, vocational as well as a community zone that will fulfill their multifaceted social and economic needs, giving them a head start on the journey to resilience. Through site visits, observation, and one-on-one interaction with stakeholders, it was discovered that women in the area had already been making efforts to contribute to the household in the form of small home-run businesses such as textiles, free-lancing, and cosmetology among others. Hence, methods to commercialize their businesses were explored and the state of existing centers was analysed to reach a coherent design solution. viii This research thereby aims to bring socio-economic uplift in the intended area and stitch ties between members of the community, women in particular, all through the exploration of resilient design strategies.