'Shikarpoor Historic City Safeguarding’ Campaign
(2007-Ongoing)

Through a notification in September 1998, the Department of Culture, Government of Sindh declared Shikarpoor city as protected heritage. However, ongoing demolitions of historic properties remained a cause for concern to well wishers of the city. Taking note of this situation HC-DAPNED, since 2007, has been actively campaigning to raise awareness towards the threatened status of the city’s historic fabric.

During 2007-2008 a comprehensive survey of Shikarpoor was undertaken as part of PhD research (funded by NED University – HEC Faculty Development Program), resulting in compilation of a complete inventory and mapping of historically and culturally significant sites within the city. Through this documentation process 1203 properties; including 1163 buildings, 27 urban elements and 13 open spaces were identified and campaigned for official designation as protected heritage. As a result of this initiative the Department of Culture, Government of Sindh, through a gazette notification in March 2012; declared these properties as protected under the Sindh Cultural Heritage Preservation Act 1994.

Another significant outcome of this ongoing campaign is the publication of a two volume heritage inventory monograph titled ‘Shikarpoor: Historic City – Inventory & Mapping of Heritage Properties (February 2013)’ sponsored by the ‘Endowment Fund Trust for Preservation of the Heritage of Sindh’ with the objective of making information on notified properties readily accessible.

As part of its ongoing public awareness building and advocacy campaign Shikarpoor has also been included in the ‘WMF Watch List’ in 2008, 2010 and 2014. HC-DAPNED in collaboration with World Monuments Fund and Endowment Fund Trust for Preservation of Heritage of Sindh organized the ‘WMF Watch Day 2014’ and ‘Shikarpoor Project 2016’ at Shikarpoor.


For more information please see:
•Presentation 'Shikarpoor: A Fading Legacy of Sindh’s Urban Heritage’ (Urdu/ English)
•A comprehensive bibliography of published sources on Shikarpoor
•Naeem, A. (2013),'Shikarpoor: Historic City, Sindh Pakistan: Inventory & Mapping of Heritage Properties – Vol. I & II ', 2 vols. (Karachi: Endowment Fund Trust for Preservation of the Heritage of Sindh)
•Presentation to Heritage Committee on February 2012
•Naeem, A. (2012), "Shikarpoor: Experiences of a City under Shadows of a Glorious Past” ', in P. Vandal (ed.), 'Life in Small Towns: 3rd THAAP Conference' (Lahore: Trust for History, Art and Architecture).
•Naeem, A. (2011), ''Eroding Historic Townscapes: A Case of Shikarpoor, Sindh'', in A. Naeem, Karrar, M. (ed.), Sixth Seminar on Urban and Regional Planning 'Historic Urban Landscapes: Retrospection - Transformation - Revival’ (Karachi: Department of Architecture and Planning, NED University of Engineering and Technology), 56-75.
•Naeem, A. (2008), ''Shikarpoor: Despirited and Defamed; Waiting to be Salvaged'', '', in Celia Forget (ed.), International Forum of Young Researchers and Professionals in Cultural Heritage "Reflecting on and Practicing the Spirit of Place" (Quebec: Laval University Press).


WMF Watch Day 2014:

HC-DAPNED in collaboration with World Monuments Fund and Endowment Fund Trust for Preservation of Heritage of Sindh organized the ‘WMF Watch Day’ at Shikarpoor on 20th November 2014(more details).


SHIKARPOOR PROJECT 2016:
 
Under the banner of Shikarpoor Project 2016, HC-DAPNED in collaboration with World Monuments Fund (WMF) and Endowment Fund Trust for Preservation of Heritage of Sindh (EFT) organized a series of activities during January-February 2016 engaging community participation and encouraging heritage property owners towards better preservation of their homes.

The Shikarpoor Project 2016 had three components:
    •Heritage Property Owners Interactive Workshop (23-31 January 2016).
    •Heritage Plaques Program (1-5 February 2016).
    •WMF Watch Day Event (4-5 February 2016).

(more details).