Revitalizing Cultural Heritage: Strategies for the Conservation of Merewether Tower in Karachi, Pakistan
Qurat-ul-Ain Rehman, Rafique-ul-Hassnain Soomro
Abstract
Qurat-ul-Ain Rehman, Rafique-ul-Hassnain Soomro
Abstract
Karachi has been home to the British occupiers in the 19th century and is therefore rich in Victorian era architecture. However, most of these buildings are in a state of dilapidation although the government is working to preserve them. In fact, there is a dire need to preserve them as soon as possible before they collapse and disappear. One such building is the Merewether tower; the significant cultural heritage structure of Karachi. This iconic structure is one of the few that are still in a good condition, but sources claim that from the inside, it is slowly getting degraded. Once the gateway to the city, it has been forgotten by the authorities although for the public, it is a significant landmark. In this context, this paper examines the existing conditions of the tower and how it can be revitalized in order to preserve its historical and cultural significance. It analyses how the conservation of this cultural heritage structure can enhance the urban character and contribute to the communities that interact with it. It employs international case studies of similar monuments that have been preserved before to understand the issues and the solutions. It also employed field research and interviews from the stakeholders as data gathering techniques, to reveal what could be done to preserve the structure as well as its surroundings. The research concludes that development and revitalization of Merewether Tower is essential not only for the preservation of heritage but also for the cultural development of the locality. This research develops a methodology for revitalization and enhancement of urban cultural heritage in general and specifically this tower. The paper demonstrates that it is necessary for the city to preserve the Merewether tower for the benefit of the communities and stakeholders who rely on it as a cultural anchor, a component of urban identity and most critically, as a heritage landmark in Karachi.
Keywords:
Culture, Historical Architecture, Heritage Conservation, Merewether Tower, Revitalization, Karachi, Pakistan.