REPO

RT
ON
SITE
ANA
Environmental Studies AR-121
Submitted
by:
Raima
Shakoor
AR-12
Soha Sohail
AR-17
Manal
Maqsood
AR-28
Hamza Ali
AR-36
Meezab
Akbar AR-
1

39
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Prologue
1.1 Report Structure
1.2 The Team
2. Introduction and Historic Development
2.1 Overview of site
2.2 Pre Partition 1800s
2.3 Post Partition 1970s onwards

2. Location Analysis
3.1 City Level and Intermediate Level
3.2 Circulation Analysis
3.3 Land Use
3.4 Amenities and Services
3.5 Vehicular and Pedestrian Services

4. Local Context
4.1 Physical Analysis
a. Urban Character
 Topography
 Morphology
 Building Heights
 Street Character
 Settlement Typologies
b. Features
 Subsurface Features
o Geology
o Hydrology
o Soil Genesis
 Natural Surface Features
o Climate
o Flora and Fauna
o Gradients

3
  Manmade Features
o Utilities

4.2 Socio Economic Analysis

a. Current Accommodation and Density

b. Sociological Aspects

 Educational Level
 Ethnicity
 Social Interaction Activity Nodes

5. Architectural Analyses of Housing Typologies

5.1 Orientation
5.2 Spatial Organizations and Zoning
5.3 Technology and Construction
5.4 Architectural Features

6. Constraints
6.1 Issues
6.2 Potentials
6.3 Feedback from residents
6.4 Conclusion

7. Maps

4
 1. PROLOGUE:

1.1 Report Structure

The following report highlights our analysis of a local community and the regions within it. The
analysis covers all the characteristics, complexities and sensitivities of the site including its urban
design and socio economic aspects.

Based on this analysis, a number of constraints and potentials have been outlined that will influence
any further development and even the current environment of the community.

The illustrations and maps have been drawn by the group during the survey.

1.2 The Team

The group members include:
 Raima Shakoor AR-12
 Soha Sohail AR-17
 Manal Maqsood AR-28
 Hamza Ali AR-36
 Meezab Akbar AR-39

2. INTRODUCTION AND HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT:

2.1 Overview of site

The area Dhoraji has been analyzed which is situated in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
Its geographical coordinates are 24° 53' 18" North, 67° 4' 54" East and its original
name is Dhoraji Colony.

2.2 Pre Partition 1800s

Historians have described Dhoraji, before regular habitation, as a hillock, more like a
mound, with a low lying area.
They say that Dhoraji was first 'captured' and ruled by the Soomros, a band of thieves.
One of their leaders, Umer Soomro, seized a small place near Dhoraji and that came
to be known as Umerkot, while Hothi Soomro ruled Dhoraj. In 1748 AD it came
under the rule of Gondal monarchy. Actually Dhoraji was under the rule of the Nawab
of Junagadh who gifted it to the Darbar of Gondal in return for helping him to defeat
Vasant Rai Purbio, an administrator of Dhoraji.

Hindus and the Muslims lived in complete harmony and there was no such thing as
communal strife or conflict. Whereas Muslims had differences with the ‘Mahajans’
that caused strikes and demonstrations and the Muslim community of Dhoraji, left

5
 their businesses and their standing crops on the farm; their houses and their
belongings and migrated to nearby state of Junagadh.

2.3 Post Partition 1970s onwards

Soon after the independence of Pakistan, these people migrated to Dhoraji from
Bombay, Kathiawar, Kutch and Gujarat and settled there.

3. LOCATION ANALYSIS
3.1 City Level and Intermediate Level

 City Level:
Dhoraji is located near the posh areas of the city Karachi. The area falls in the
Western zone of Karachi according to the City District Karachi.
The areas that surround Dhoraji are:
 Bahadurabad
 CP and Bearar Society
 Kutchi Memon Society
 Aga Khan University
 PECHS

 Intermediate Level:

On Intermediate level, the total area is approx. 420000 sq. meters and the chosen site is 700m
long vertically and 600m wide horizontally as per the scale. The major places that falls
in the boundaries of our site are:
 Selani Chowk
 Progressive Public School
 CP Bearar High School for Girls
 Al Kibriya Masjid
 Zubaida Medical Centre
 Tahir Medical Centre
 Jamal Noor Hospital

3.2 Circulation Analysis

There are no primary roads in the respective region. However there are two secondary
roads; Amir Khusro Road and Ghazi Salahuddin Road which are connected to the tertiary
roads leading into the streets. Ghazi Salahuddin Road is connected to the main Shahr-e-
Faisal after covering a long distance.
The remaining surrounding road network comprises of sub arterial roads, residential
streets, footways providing connectivity.

6
Due to the absence of primary roads, the secondary road is used for the regular traffic that
has caused the issues of traffic congestion and noise pollution.

3.3 Land Use

A variety of land uses occur in the study area although the area is covered with high
density residential zone that accounts for 70% of the total area. Most of the commercial
buildings are also present in the area and are mainly located by the main road that
includes shop houses (ground floor shops) and markets. Fever parks are there for the
locals. To cater the basic needs of the residents, hospitals, schools, mosques and fitness
centers are also there. The offices which are present are mainly banks and real estate
agencies. Mixed land use is also observed that comprises of both residential and
commercial buildings on the main road.

3.4 Amenities and Services

Diverse fundamental facilities are provided in the area including hospitals such as
Zubaida Medical Centre and Jamal Noor hospital and small scale dental clinics.
Beauty salons, gyms, spas and barber shops are there in majority of the streets.
Cottage businesses of beauticians and leisure clubs are also being run widely
which too acts as an amenity for the locals. Educational institutes comprising of
coaching centers and colleges are present too. Al Kibriya Mosque, Al Mustafa
Mosque and a number of deeni madaaris are also present.

7
 3.5 Vehicular and Pedestrians Services

The residents of Dhoraji use their private cars for transportation. But on public scale, autos are
frequently used since buses rarely cross the secondary roads. No pedestrian bridges are there due to
the absence of primary roads.

4. LOCAL CONTEXT
4.1 Physical Analysis
a. Urban Character
 Topography

The entire region

is hilly due to which the constructions are irregular and the land is uneven
and rough. Areas are left inert as no future construction without a proper
planning

 Morphology

The area is formed by open spaces and built regions. 65% of the area is built and
35% is vacant land that includes the streets and also the hilly mounded area. Most
of the vacant lands have been converted into dumping sites and are not being

8
utilized for future construction due to the hold of mafias and the irresponsibility of
the municipal corporations and government. The housing of Farhan Society is
regularly formed on a regular field but is elevated; the slums are irregular and
scattered on an irregular field.

 Building Heights

9
The settlements contain double storey housing mostly. The slums are formed on ground level basis.
Along the main road, we have a higher density of low rise apartments and lower density of high rise
apartments. Minority are settlements of ground level while majority are two floored settlements. The
average highest floors of the apartments are three. And some of the low rise buildings appear higher
than the surrounding blocks because of the elevated levels of the site as compared to its
surroundings.

 Street Character:

The various kinds of streets present in our area can be categorized into alleys,
narrow lanes and Main Street. The alleys are present in slums and only a single
person can walk through it. The narrow lanes allow pedestrians and small vehicles
like bikes and autos to pass and it is present on the internal side of housing and the
main streets that are linked with the secondary road are used daily in which two
cars can pass at a time .

 Settlement Typologies
The four diverse settlements present in the area are slums which are brick and mud houses with lack
of adequate facilities, squatter settlements which are highly congested and deteriorated. The pattern
is irregular and unplanned. The low income and middle income settlements are planned in partially
irregular and regular sizes respectively. The high income settlements are finely constructed and
planned with a stable ratio of open and built spaces.

10
b. Features
 Subsurface Features
o Geology
The settlements are formed on the rocky base. Some of the area
includes the rocks which have horizontal layers of alternating hard
sandstones and much softer shale or clay rock which is mostly
present near the residential region.

o Hydrology
The drainage pattern is that the main line drains into the Malir
River which is disposed into the Arabian Sea later. The
underground water which is available is fresh and is obtained by
boring 27ft deep due to area being above sea level and this water
can also be used for drinking purposes.

o Soil Genesis

Sandstone with greyish and brownish clay is found while boring

along with gravel. Erosion of the soil is not easy as majority of the
sandstone is hard underground.

 Natural Surface Features

11
 o Climate
The average temperature of Dhoraji varies between 30°C to
34°C. Humidity is 45% to 68%. The precipitation
probability is 10% the average wind speed is 20kmh to
24kmh. The average rainfall of the city is around 7 inches
per annum.

o Flora and Fauna

Most of the area of the Dhoraji is built. Greenery is only
20% that include parks, trees and small gardens. There is a
whole lane of scattered Eucalyptus and Deodar Cedar trees
on the secondary road. Some of the residents of the Farhan
Society have utilized their house fronts for small gardens.
Not a single zoo-geographical region is present so there is
0% of the fauna in the area besides the street dogs, cats and
pet goats of slums.

o Gradients
The area Dhoraji has slopes and gradient because it is above
sea level. The minimal elevation is -89m and the maximum
elevation is 441m.

 Manmade Features
o Utilities
The basic utilities are water, gas, electricity,
telephone lines and sanitary services. The
availability of water is adequate in high income
regions while in middle income and low income
settlements fresh water is only available after every
3 days at a particular time. There is no such issue of
water management but the supply of gas is poor in
the modern high rise apartments. Seasonal
fluctuations of the supply of water and gas are
present. But in slums the services are quite good due
to political influence.

4.2 Socio Economic Analysis

a. Current Accommodation and Density

12
 The total population is approximately 705,000. The average size of household plot
is 150 to 300 sq. Yards. 70% houses are leased while 30% are unleased. The
average value of a 3 bedroom house ranges from 80lacs to 1crore. 85% of the
house fronts are utilized.

b. Sociological Aspects
 Educational Level

13
 The educational level of Dhoraji is 70% literate. The locals of low, middle and high
income settlements are educated and are studying is renowned institutes with the
exception of the slum population.
 Ethnicity
The people residing in Dhoraji belong to various ethnic groups. Memons, Guajarati,
Delhi Walay and Kathiawar.

 Social Interaction and Activity Nodes

The residents are only 10% interactive. Very less social interaction was observed. Even the children
are not allowed to play on the streets. The major activity nodes are the commercial zones and the
mixed land use zones along the main road.

5. Architectural Analysis of Housing Typologies.

5.1 Orientation
Sun path: The Sun rises from the Eastern zone that is near Zubaida Medical while
it sets in the Western zone which is Selani Chowk.
Wind is directed 7kts from West to South West.
5.2 Spatial Organizations and Zoning
Due to small scaled region, the warmer and hotter zones cannot be identified
accurately but the region near CP Bearar Society is slightly cooler due to gradient
and open areas. The region opposite to Jamal Noor Hospital is also cooler due to
presence of parks and greenery.
5.3 Technology and Construction
The main materials used in the construction are RCC (Reinforcement Cement
Concrete) and OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) in middle and high income
housing while in slums, cheap cement, bricks and mud is used.
5.4 Architectural Features
The settlements have been reviewed to get

14
 An understanding of their architectural conception and forms. Majority of the old
constructed apartments are congested together. The observed architectural features
are:

ENTRANCE
The entrance is positioned centrally on the axes of the front and back elevation.

BALCONIES / PATIOS

Each flat, including those

on the raised ground floor, has its own balcony (including raised ground floor
flats). The balconies form a strong horizontal line on the facade in contrast to the
vertical stacking of the windows.

ROOFTOP
The chimney stacks are observed on the top of restaurants. And water tanks are
present too.

HORIZONTALITY
There is a clear horizontality that has been applied to the façades. The buildings
are divided into three distinct parts; base, middle and top. The horizontality is
further reinforced by the concrete, painted white, which forms the base and coping
of the integrated balconies.

VERTICALITY
The horizontality of the façades is restrained through the contrasting verticality of
the windows which are stacked in a regimental order. This is further reinforced by
the equal spacing between the windows and the limited number of window
typologies that have been used throughout the development.

6. Constraints
6.1 Issues

15
 The major issues faced by the locals are inadequate gas supply, shortage of fresh
water, flood water drainage issues, noise pollution because of the flow of heavy
traffic as the secondary road is connected to the main Shahr-e-Faisal.

The following assessments are likely to be required if a new development is

considered:
• Daylight, sunlight and overshadowing
• Disruptions during construction
• Air quality
• Noise and vibration
Potentials
The positive aspects of Dhoraji are that area is considered to be very suitable to
live for every class. The mixed land use makes it more comprehensive and the
cheap markets contribute to the employment opportunities.

6.2 Feedback from residents

“I have been living in this year since 25 years and I am satisfied with the area
and the neighbors. There are no major issues of water but the supply of gas
becomes insufficient seasonally.”
-Ms. Sohail.

“I am residing in Dhoraji since 22 years. We have a joint family. The major

setback from the area is less recreational centers for the children and also
traffic congestion and noise pollution”
-Mr. Syed Imtiaz.

6.3 Conclusion
Inclusively speaking, Dhoraji is a comprehensive area comprising of people of
different lifestyles and standards. Although the residents inquired some miserable
condition of services in few areas due to the irresponsibility of the government
that needs to be pondered over.

7. Maps

16
17