NED City Campus Restoration Project (2000-Ongoing)

NED University of Engineering & Technology has the honor of being the first educational institution of Pakistan producing local engineering graduates since 1922. The institution was initially located in its City Campus, and started off as the “Prince of Wales Engineering College”, but later renamed as NED Engineering College. The ‘NED City Campus’ was abandoned in 1975 when all academic activities were shifted to the present ‘Main Campus’ on University Road. NED City Campus is a listed building of Karachi, declared as a ‘Protected Heritage’ under ‘Sindh Cultural Heritage Preservation Act 1994’. Realizing the historic significance of this campus and its value as an architectural asset, the university decided to initiate an intensive restoration of the buildings and revive this campus as the exclusive premises for Department of Architecture and Planning.

Main objectives behind this initiative are;
• To ensure that the campus is maintained as an architectural heritage site and historically significant landmark of the city.
• To ensure that the NED Old Campus is once again revitalized as an educational campus and properly utilized to its full potential.
• To undertake the restoration project as an exemplary exercise providing a role model for similar projects in the city.

In addition to above objectives, a strong aspect of the project is its ‘Research and Training Component’ evolving consequently with progress of this project. The project was conceived in the year 2000; its first phase was completed in 2009, and inaugurated by the Honourable Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ibad, on 17th April 2009. Remaining works are being (or will be) carried out gradually over the years, executed in various phases, depending on availability of funds. The project strictly follows internationally established principles and standards, and its ongoing activities at the campus serve as a laboratory for restoration and conservation of historic buildings.

Phase I: March 2006 – April 2009
Restoration of Bai Puribai Becharbhai and Becharbhai Raichand Block, Restoration of Boundary Wall & Miscellaneous Structural Consolidation and Extension Work
Structural Consultants: Mushtaq & Bilal,
Contractor: Beton Construction
Company Supervision: NED Services Department & Development Projects &Planning (DPP)
Architect & Conservation Consultant: Anila Naeem / HC-DAPNED

Summary of Works: Documentation, Analytic Evaluation, Fundraising and Restoration Design undertaken for the Department of Architecture and Planning, NED University, Karachi.
This phase of the project has been partially funded by National Fund for Cultural Heritage (NFCH), Islamabad.

Phase II: July 2011 – Ongoing
Construction of Lecture Hall

Related Publications and Press Links:
• NAEEM, A., RAFEEQI, S. F.A. (2012) 'NED City Campus Restoration – Setting Benchmarks for Conservation Practices'. Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning, 12, p1-12. (PDF) 
• AHMED, N., RAFEEQI, S. F. A. (2012) 'Infusing life: restoration of Nadirshaw Edulji Dinshaw city campus in Karachi'. ICE Journal, 165, p115-119.
• NAEEM, A. (2011) 'Reborn @ 80 - NED City Campus Restoration'. Architecture Design Art (ADA). Karachi.
• NAEEM, A. (2001) 'NED Old Campus Restoration Project – Proposal Report 2001; Revised 2004’. Karachi, NED University of Engineering and Technology.