Today the northern area of Pakistan is characterised by confrontation and conflict between an archaic mentality and an advancing industrialisation and market economy. Perhaps the impact of modernity can be absorbed without destroying traditional values. Local communities could, instead of being ignored or oppressed, become protagonists of controlled development. This volume addresses these issues through the description of a series of interventions of territorial planning, environmental protection, recovery of historic buildings and traditional villages and the improvement of living conditions. These projects were carried out over the last twelve years by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) through its Historic Cities Support Programme (HCSP).
