Zainab Yousuf Chakera

Thesis Title:

سکونت - Reimagining existing spatialities through a modular approach for the evictees of Gujjar Nallah

Project Title:

Providing alternative dwelling spaces for the displaced population of Gujjar Nallah.

Location:

Near Landhi Kothal Chowrangi, Gujjar Nallah

User Group:

Effectives of Gujjar Nallah

This thesis journey started as a counter question to the on-going spatial injustices along the secondary storm water drains of Karachi. The rapidly transforming geographies along these nallahs were a result of forced territorial acquisitions of the state from the people of the city in the name of 'anti-encroachment'. These once forgotten nooks were homes to thousands of migrants that was being snatched from them. The 'situated struggles' of Gujjar and Orangi nallah were one of the most urgent questions of our time. How had the demolitions spatially transformed the dwellings? How could those that had lost their homes be re-accommodated? What did a dwelling mean? Could space be anything other than on ground? These questions became a starting point for course of action in reimagining the spatial meaning of a dwelling in order to strive to provide possible living solutions for affected population of Gujjar nallah that was now homeless.