Impetus
It has been more than 50 years since the settlement of Shabbirabad in Gulshan Town, and Al-Mohallat-al-Burhaniyah in Hyderi, North Nazimabad. Both of these housing societies were originally envisioned in response to the need within the Dawoodi Bohra Community of Karachi to expand into planned societies which would offer members better standards of living than those of the increasingly congested old inner-city ‘mohallahs’ such as Sadar etc.
These newer mohallahs largely comprised of 400-1000 yd2 plots for single-family homes and, to a lesser extent, apartment buildings. Except for the Masjid complexes, almost no space was allocated for public use and recreation. Over time, many of the single-family units were torn down and replaced with multi-unit buildings and townhouses. Although plots were given exclusively to the Dawoodi Bohras to uphold their cultural identity, these mohallahs had no physical boundaries delineating them. Subsequent expansion around the fringes resulted in intermingling with other communities, which has affected the mohallah’s sense of self-identity.
Moreover, these mohallahs, while remaining relatively low-density, have since been saturated to the point that prices have skyrocketed. Although individual homes are large and relatively luxurious, lack of common recreational green spaces, society-level maintenance issues, and unforeseen developments in the surrounding areas have all had a negative effect on the quality of life of the inhabitants. As second and third generations grow in these mohallahs, as well as others throughout Karachi, so too grows the need for additional space to move into.
As the real estate market stands today, a Dawoodi Bohra searching for quality housing within his price range (regardless of what that may be) is faced with a choice of either a downgrade in quality of life or an exit from the existing community mohallas.
Thus, there is a need for a high-end, modern, mixed-density township for young families to grow in established families to expand into. A community which offers an upliftment in quality of life and an enhancement in living standards. A society which facilitates the Bohra socio-religious way of life while still being within the financial reach of Dawoodi Bohras of all income levels.
