Historic Cities Programme: Revitalizing Urban Heritage in the Muslim World
The Historic Cities Programme (HCP), an initiative of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), is dedicated to the conservation and sustainable re-use of buildings and public spaces across historic cities in the Muslim world. Rather than focusing solely on the physical repair of monuments, the HCP views restoration as a catalyst for social, economic, and cultural development.
By integrating technical restoration with an understanding of the social and environmental context, the programme ensures that historic sites are not merely preserved as museums, but are revitalized through adaptive reuse—the process of repurposing old buildings for new functions that meet current community needs. To ensure local impact, the HCP often establishes local Aga Khan Cultural Service companies to implement projects under the guidance of its headquarters in Geneva.
Key Facts
- Mission: Promotes the conservation and rehabilitation of historic structures to spur socioeconomic growth.
- Scope: Nearly twenty revitalization projects across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Zanzibar, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Bosnia, Mali, and Syria.
- Approach: Combines technical expertise with community participation, professional training, and institutional sustainability.
- Funding: Supported by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and international donors including the World Bank and the Ford Foundation.
The Strategic Role of the HCP
The HCP operates as a collaborative partner, working closely with government bodies, local conservation agencies, and the community. Its role extends beyond construction to include planning assistance, the preparation of feasibility studies, and the development of proposals to attract international agencies and local investors.
Urban and Site-Specific Conservation
The programme employs two primary scales of intervention. First, it engages in urban conservation, focusing on building clusters, districts, or entire historic towns to maintain the socioeconomic fabric of an area. Second, it restores specific historic sites or single structures, developing new functions that serve the local population's economic and social requirements.
Ensuring Long-Term Viability
Sustainability is central to the HCP's philosophy. To ensure projects remain viable long after the initial restoration, the programme harnesses community support, creates innovative institutional structures, and identifies commercial potential. This holistic approach transforms conservation into a sustainable engine for local development.
Funding and Implementation
Projects are funded through the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and a diverse array of global donors. Notable sponsors and co-funders include the Getty Grant Program, World Monuments Fund, the Ford Foundation, the World Bank, and bilateral aid organizations from Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.
A unique aspect of the HCP's implementation strategy is the creation of local service companies. These partners are trained and developed to eventually operate as autonomous, self-sustaining community organizations.
Major Global Projects
The HCP has left a significant mark on the architectural landscape of several nations. Notable achievements include the transformation of a garbage dump into the 30-hectare Al-Azhar Park in Cairo, Egypt, and the comprehensive master planning for the Timurid city in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
In Afghanistan, the programme has focused on the restoration of the 16th-century Bagh-e Babur (Babur's Gardens), the mausoleum of Timur Shah, and infrastructure upgrades in the old city of Herat. Other significant works include the conservation of forts in Hunza and Baltistan, Pakistan, and the restoration of the Great Mosque of Mopti in Mali.
The programme also extends its reach to the restoration of key monuments and open spaces in Mostar, Bosnia, and the provision of technical training to the Directorate of Antiquities in Syria for the management of the citadels in Aleppo, Masyaf, and Qalat Salah ed-Din.
| Location | Project / Site | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Egypt | Al-Azhar Park | Urban transformation (former dump) |
| Afghanistan | Bagh-e Babur | 16th-century garden restoration |
| Pakistan | Shigar Fort Palace | Fort restoration and re-use |
| Zanzibar | Old Stone Town | Conservation planning |
| Mali | Great Mosque of Mopti | Religious structure restoration |
| Uzbekistan | Samarkand | Timurid city master plan |
Awards and Global Recognition
The HCP's commitment to excellence has been recognized by numerous international bodies. The restoration of the 700-year-old Baltit Fort and the Shigar Fort Palace in Pakistan earned multiple UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, including Awards of Excellence.
Other accolades include the 2007 Time "Best of Asia" award for the restoration of Bagh-e Babur in Kabul, the 2005 Travel + Leisure Global Vision Innovation Award for Al-Azhar Park, and the 2000 Tourism for Tomorrow Global Winner award for the Karimabad and Baltit project development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the Historic Cities Programme?
The primary goal is to promote the conservation and re-use of buildings and public spaces in historic cities of the Muslim world to stimulate social, economic, and cultural development.
How does the HCP ensure that its projects are sustainable?
The programme ensures sustainability by focusing on adaptive reuse, securing community support, establishing innovative institutional structures, and leveraging commercial potential.
Who funds the projects undertaken by the HCP?
Funding is provided by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and various international donors, including the World Bank, the Ford Foundation, the Getty Grant Program, and bilateral aid from Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Does the HCP only restore individual buildings?
No. While it restores single structures, it also participates in larger urban conservation efforts that focus on building clusters, districts, and the public spaces between buildings to preserve the overall socioeconomic fabric.
Which projects have received UNESCO recognition?
Several projects in Pakistan have received UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards, including the Shigar Fort Palace, the Baltit Fort, the Amburiq Mosque, and the mausoleum of Syed Mir Muhammad.