Conservation analysis of Gali Surjan Singh: a study of architectural and social aspects

ABSTRACT Heritage sites and buildings are of vital importance. Study of such heritage sites unfolds exciting information about the history of early civilizations and, most importantly, the architecture of that era. Like other South Asian countries, Pakistan is also rich with heritage sites and buildings. Unfortunately, these heritage sites and buildings have mostly been ignored by the concerning authorities. Recently, a conservation program named as the Royal Trail at Dehli Gate section of Walled City, Lahore was launched through the collaboration of the Punjab Government and the Agha Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), purpose of which was to revitalize the residential architecture and quality of social life of the Gali Surjan Singh by incorporating community participation for conducting the conservation in a sustainable manner. Primarily data has been collected through questionnaires and informal interviews of the residents. An in-depth comparison of the area before, during and after conservation is also included in the layout of conducted research. The aim is to study changes in the physical and social dimensions of the constructed environment of Gali Surjan, which resulted from the intervention of the conservation program. The documented pre- and post-conservation changes mark the significance of the study.