BRITISH RAILWAY ARCHITECTURAL LEGACY IN LAHORE: HISTORY, IMPORTANCE AND BUILDINGS’ PRIORITIES FOR CONSERVATION

Abstract

This research focuses on the importance of the Railway buildings built during the time of British Colonial Railway (1862-1947) in Lahore. It identifies the Overall Condition of various building types considering the Age, Architectural Assessment, Structural Assessment, Deteriorating Level and Building Integrity. Subsequently, the buildings are evaluated to determine the priorities for conservation considering Building Condition, Age, Use, Importance and Intervention during past. The research will invite the attention of the academia, railway administration and other stake holders within and outside the Pakistan to conduct similar studies in other cities of Pakistan where railway heritage is demanding for an immediate attention. The paper concludes that representative of each category of railway buildings built during British period in Lahore and other area of Pakistan must be documented, conserved and protected before this important heritage disappear from scene for ever.