Old Town Mapping Project | سڑک چھاپ

The Old Town Mapping Project seeks to create an archive of the various heritage sites in Old Town, Karachi as well as the changes made to them.

This project will map out the different communities of Old Town, their environment and legacies for preservation and documentation. The goal is not only to mark the physical details of Old Town, but also to explore the social and political intricacies of the area. This will be done by documenting sacred spaces, public and private institutions, open spaces, famous landmarks, gastronomy and built environments which include low-rise and high-rise structures. Additionally, by marking street names, one can see patterns of change that have occurred over time. Increased commercialization has obstructed what Old Town used to be.

The mapping project hopes to document whatever is left of it before commercial activity takes over all of it.

Mapping Zones

Old Town’s areas are being mapped meticulously by our team of interns. Listed below are the various zones we have studied so far. Click on the zone to access specific maps and our research on the area.

Please give credit to Pakistan Chowk Institute if you use any of our research.

Zone 7.0
Zone 9.0
Zone 10.0
Zone 12.0
Zone 13.0
Zone 15.0
Zone 17.0

Zone 1.0
Zone 2.0
Zone 2.1
Zone 2.2
Zone 3.0
Zone 3.1
Zone 5.0
Zone 6.0

Historical Buildings Research (HBR)

The research aim of Heritage Bungalow Research is to document, understand, and profile century old buildings across Pakistan for archival purposes. The roots of historic buildings in South Asia lie in the early attempts of British engineers in the 18th century to design a standardized and permanent architecture based on indigenous domestic structures for the East India Company when the British were still traders in the sub-continent. Later, in the 19th century, the archetypal bungalow was developed further to fit the traditions of British Imperial rule. Spacious buildings, symmetrical layouts and large verandas were all characteristic of British colonial architecture in the subcontinent. HBR studies the nuances of these buildings and their modifications in relation to the passage of time and change in geographical context.

Documentation of Historic Bungalows of pre and post- partition styles, particularly Hindu, Sikh, Colonial and Art Deco. In Karachi bungalows located in the areas of Sohrab Kathrik Parsi Colony, Sirai Quarters, Old Town Quarters, Preedy Quarters, Garden Quarters, Rambagh Quarters, Bunder Quarters and Soldier Bazaar are being documented. The architectural typology consist of the bungalows material, structure, elements and spaces. Symmetrical floor plans and elevation pertaining to the Colonial architecture while Hindu Architecture is an open, symmetry driven structure with perfect geometric shapes and courtyard. Architectural elements consist of high ceilings, porticos, verandas, ventilators and columns.

The Sukkur Irrigation Colony is laid out on a grid plan which consisted of 52 bungalows and promenade out of which only 17 are left standing. The occupants of the bungalows are either government or privately owned. These 600-1000 square foot bungalows typology consists of semi-open corridors, porch, arched windows and arched corridors.

Heritage Awareness Program (HAP)

The Heritage Awareness Program (HAP) is a branch of Karkhana operating under the firm, Marvi Mazhar Associates. HAP is a creative way of critical thinking and freedom to express emotions after understanding the existing historic built environment and its importance. It is very critical for a well-rounded school level education to discuss and share architectural knowledge, city by-laws, urban concepts, preservation, protection and promotion of the existing historical identity. The program has been planned for public and private schools and universities.

HAP is also involved in conducting Heritage Tours and Training. This module is exciting and innovative for reviving the concept of guided tours, story-telling sessions, and experiencing and reminiscing while being within these century-old spaces.

We promote creative thinking and a better understanding of our built environment for future generations. The introduction of concepts related to cities and architecture in the curriculum would be an excellent foundation for making real improvements to our environment, present and future.

Heritage Awareness Program (HAP) I 4th February, 2020

Architect Marvi Mazhar met with the Ivy Schools second graders at the Old Clifton Park and spoke with them regarding the project called ‘Save the Banyans’.

Heritage Safeguarding Event by the Heritage Foundation at Sita Ram building in Saddar, Karachi | 22nd January 2015.

The internees at Marvi Mazhar and Associates, were invited to attend the Heritage Safeguarding Event by the Heritage Foundation at Sita Ram building in Saddar, Karachi. This was a valuable opportunity for them, as Architecture students of NCA Rawalpindi, to learn how to document and restore historical structures and to get up close and personal with one of the prime examples of early 20th century Hindu architecture in Karachi.

Workshop for Super Savari Express, Karachi | 21st February 2015.

Two workshops were held to train tour guides of Super Savari Express. Introduction to the City's history and heritage was given to the youth in order to help them conduct their tours more skillfully.

HAP at Froebels Education Center, Karachi. | 16th March 2015

HAP conducted its first session at Froebels Education Center. The focus of the program was "children, childhood and cultural heritage" - let's preserve and protect. A total of 280 students from Elementary and Junior Level attended the session.

HAP at Children's Art Festival, Goethe Institute, Karachi | 29th March 2015

HAP was invited to conduct a session at the Children's Art Festival. The audience included students from elementary to university level. The program concluded on an interactive session where children suggested ways they could take ownership in the city they live in.

Ghulam Hussain Khaliqdina Girls School, Kharadar, Karachi | 6th April, 2015

Heritage Awareness Program (HAP) conducted its third session, in Kharadar. Khaliqdina Girls School is an institution housed in a 1906 art-deco building. The program incorporated multiple story-telling sessions about Karachi's heritage history, visuals and examples based on three keywords, Heritage, Culture and Value.

HAP at Gizri Girls Secondary School, Karachi. | 20th April, 2015

Students were introduced to Universal Heritage and Cultural Value, followed by History of Karachi and its built environment. The session also included Q'n'A and Sketching activity.

'History and Architecture of British Raj' for junior internees from Citizens Archive of Pakistan

This helped them in understanding local Heritage Bye-Laws, history, fun facts of historical buildings and Karachi evolution through a storytelling session. We have referred to Artists, Historians & Architects like Arif Hasan, Hamida Khuhro, Yasmeen Lari, Yasmeen Cheema, Richard Burton and Rudyard Kipling's writings to compile our sessions.

Photo Credit: Citizens Archive of Pakistan.

HAP with Writers' Club at Mohatta Palace, Karachi | 5th August 2015.

Children were introduced to ten prominent heritage buildings of Karachi. Each building had its own story which was shared with them. The session ended with Children drawing the facade of the palace and taking the tour of the museum.

HAP Session at Beaconhouse School System (Primary Branch), Nazimabad, Karachi. | 17th August 2015.

HAP visited Beaconhouse School System Nazimabad branch on the 17th August to educate students about Karachi's heritage and culture. The program concluded with a mural painting of significant architecture from Karachi's heritage which the students drew and painted.

Ali Model English School, Korangi, Karachi. | 2nd September 2015.

HAP conducted two sessions at Ali Model English School where students of Grade 7-8 were familiarized with heritage and culture of Karachi. The students of this school mainly belong to the area of Gilgit-Baltistan hence knowing about the built heritage of the Karachi was an exciting learning curve for them.

Abdullah Shah Ghazi Primary/Secondary Girls School, Clifton, Karachi. | 22nd September, 2015.

HAP conducted it's session at another government school for students of grade 3-5. The children were introduced to heritage and culture of Pakistan. The session concluded with a sketching activity in which students made drawings of built and natural heritage along with artefacts.

School of Tomorrow, Beaconhouse School, Lahore | 5th November, 2016

HAP conducted its session with students of Beaconhouse School as part of the event "World of Tomorrow". In this session the students were familiarized with the heritage and culture of Lahore. The program concluded with a painting session of the murals of architecture from Lahore's heritage.

School of Tomorrow-The End of Education?

HAP conducted its workshop with Beacon House International Education & Cultural Festival on Nov 28th-29th 2015.

HAP with The Dot & The Line, Karachi | 14th July, 2016

HAP conducted a session with The Line & The Dot kids where they were familiarized with the term 'heritage'. The kids explored the ionic Mohatta Palace, Flagstaff house and Frere Hall. Curious conversations flowed as we shared what we love best about our beloved city and drew our own versions of its magnificent buildings.

About the Program

To create awareness about the Built Heritage
To educate about Heritage Values and Systems
To understand the complexity and diversity of Urban Metropolitan Cities/Rural/ Old Historic Quarters

Past Events

HAP 1.15 School of Tomorrow: International Education and Cultural Festival, Lahore 4th to 6th November 2016
HAP 1.16 Jufelhurst Secondary School , Karachi 31st August 2016
HAP 1.15 The Dot & The Line , Karachi 14th July 2016
HAP 1.14 The Citizens of Archive of Pakistan, Karachi 17th June 2016
HAP 1.13 Beacon House Karachi, 28th to 29th of November 2015
HAP 1.12 Beacon House Islamabad, 21st to 22nd of November 2015
HAP 1.11 Beacon House Lahore, 14th to 15th of November 2015
HAP 1.10 Abdullah Shah Ghazi Primary/Secondary Girls School, 22nd September 2015
HAP 1.9 Ali Model English School, 2nd September 2015
HAP 1.8 Beacon House Karachi, 17th of August 2015
HAP 1.7 Writers' Club Karachi, 5th of August 2015
HAP 1.6 The Citizens Archive of Pakistan, Karachi 8th of July 2015
HAP 1.5 Gizri Girls Secondary School, Karachi 20th of April.2015
HAP 1.4 Khaldina Girls School, Kharadar, 6th of April, 2015
HAP 1.3 "Introduction to the City and its Heritage" at the Children's Art Festival- Goethe Institute, 29th March 2015
HAP 1.2 Froebel's School, Karachi 16th March 2015
HAP 1.0 Government Schoolof Khairpur, 30th November 2014