A STUDY OF HASAN ABDAL TOWN: AIMING TOWARDS THE FORMULATION OF CONSERVATION PLAN FOR ITS CENTRAL HISTORIC ZONE
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Date
2016
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UMT, Lahore
Abstract
Hasan Abdal, an old historic town located in northern Punjab, exhibits diverse remnants from
the times of Buddhist, Mughal, Sikh and British invaders. These remnants make this town a
tourist attraction, owing to the exquisite Mughal gardens and numerous significant historical
monuments located in the central zone of the town, and an eminent religious destination, due to
Sikh Gurdwara of Punja Sahib.
The rapid growth in population, accompanied with unplanned expansion of the built
environment of the town accommodating, residential and commercial needs has shattered the
spiritual and historical essence of the town’s urban fabric all over the world. As a result,
prominent historical monuments like Tomb and Garden of Lalarukh, Maqbara Hakeeman have
decayed and are in dire need of attention. Conservation, preservation, restoration and
rehabilitation of these monuments will result in preservation of this national treasure and
historic tradition of the town.
The aim of this research was to generate an appropriate conservation plan for the central zone
of Hasan Abdal through analytical study of various historic town’s plans nationally and
internationally. This was undertaken by identifying the significant historical monuments through
reconnaissance survey, interviews and literature review. After developing the master plan, the
identified monuments were categorized according to their historical importance and location.
Finally, a conservation plan is devised in the light of ICOMOS and UNESCO guidelines keeping
in view the current conservation practices and legislation in Pakistan