Public open spaces as an urban prosperity. Case study : walled city of Lahore, Pakistan

The heritage of every historical quarter has a profound significance for the humankinds and for the local Communities itself. Such architectural and cultural heritage connects communities to their glorious past, and ensures the significance future. They are the product of many generations; created and carried through shared experiences. They symbolize their values, ensures continuity of their traditional way of daily life and socio-cultural practices rooted in the place. In case of Lahore, which is the provisional capital of major province of Punjab- Pakistan, cannot be neglected when we are talking about the Mughals and its effects on architectural way of life and civic amenities. After the extension of the Lahore towards South by the British, the original historical nucleus (Walled City) starts to face absolute negligence; as the power center was shifted in newly developed civil area of mall and military cantonment. The delinquency continues, and causing the onslaught urbanization and unplanned growth. Many of historical artifacts having cultural and architectural values are disappeared or being transformed into commercial shops and warehouses. Which is directly affecting the urban balance and tranquility of life. Today the walled city still plays an important role in the daily functioning of metropolitan Lahore along with its object value (city with in the city). It is a bustling center of commerce and represents the living culture of the city, an enduring continuation and evolution from a much older way of life. The activities of the walled city include all aspects of urban life: residential, manufacturing, retail, educational, religious and civic. Walled city of Lahore serves, as a precedence of the layers of historic evolution, which is Undoubtedly, a jewel of history, rusted and deplored and needs an immediate attention. The aim of this academic thesis is to conduct a research based project with the deep understanding of historical urban fabric; its evolution, problems effecting and the regeneration of public open spaces (along the royal route).