Final Year Project

Project Title

Heritage, Identity, and Urban Neglect: Examining the Impact of Cultural and Architectural Heritage Neglect on Religious Minorities in Karachi – A Case Study of the Parsi Community in Saddar

Description

This study aims to identify key cultural and architectural heritage sites associated with the Parsi community in Saddar and assess their physical and social condition. It further seeks to explore how members of the Parsi community perceive the neglect of their heritage spaces and to analyze the relationship between architectural neglect and feelings of identity, belonging, visibility, and marginalization among Parsi residents. This also examines how heritage neglect influences the everyday interactions of Parsi residents with the urban environment, while understanding the role of state institutions, urban governance, and heritage policies in shaping the preservation or neglect of minority heritage sites. The findings will be situated within broader debates on heritage, power, minority rights, and urban inclusion in postcolonial cities.