Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) as an Alternative Evaluation Tool for Historical Built Heritages in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) are progressively needed to investigate potential impacts and outcomes of development on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of world heritage properties. However, many key stakeholders involved in implementing the World Heritage Convention lack the management system, methodological tools, and guidelines to conduct effective impact assessments in areas without these resources. The paper explores the successful utilization of the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) tool to address concerns raised by UNESCO and civil society. This occurred when the Punjab government initiated the Orange Line Metro Train Project (OLMT) near the World Heritage Shalimar Garden and other historic monuments in Lahore. The project aimed to meet the daily transportation needs of around 2.5 million commuters.