THE SARAAI: The Architecture of Resilient Tourism

Abstract

Tourism is a double-edged sword for many communities around Pakistan. While it holds economic prosperity and community development, in areas where tourism contributes significantly to the GDP, natural disasters can pose serious threats to the economy and well-being of such communities. This thesis underscores the need for a resilient tourist resort in the Swat valley- a city that is an illustrative example of such communities that are highly reliant on tourism, but due to rapid climate change, this scenic valley is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, apart from climate change. While Swat's rich culture is one of the main reasons for it being such a famous tourist spot, urban tourism, and its lack of sensitivity to vernacular architecture is now posing a risk to Swat's identity and culture. It will firstly focus on developing a comprehensive resilient tourism approach that incorporates pre-disaster planning as well as rapid response/recovery and long-term sustainability solutions. The design would delve into the exploration of different strategies to incorporate and preserve the natural and cultural elements of Swat valley, disaster resilient construction techniques, and sustainable tourism practices, cofounding a center that not only seeks to advance tourism in the region but also serves as a shelter and an economic development hub for the locals of Swat valley. This project will be based on qualitative and quantitative studies of primary data in the form of existing sustainable tourism and disaster resilient case studies, secondary data in the form of statistics of disaster and tourism from concerned authorities such as NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) and Ministry of tourism, the need of the project and the translation of mentioned strategies into a well-planned space.