'It feels like London': Inspiration and awe as Karachi landmark takes new form

SOC Films documents incredible transformation of Custom House and people's reaction to it in short clip

A wonderful movement to reclaim Karachi's public places started this year with the renovation of the old Custom House.

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy's production company -- SOC Films -- has documented the process and the results in a short, inspirational clip that she shared on her Facebook page today.

A pioneering effort was undertaken where the Custom House partnered with a team of leading city planners and designers, like architect Shahid Abdulla and designer Danish Azar Zuby, to reclaim the historical legacy of and rejuvenate the Eduljee Dinshaw Road that serves two prestigious architectural landmarks of Karachi: Karachi Port Trust building and the Imperial Custom House.



It was felt that owing to neglect, the road was becoming infamous for the worst forms of traffic jams, was being used as garbage dumping site, shops were being converted into warehouses and the road itself was becoming a favoured space for drug peddlers.

Before the start of the project. SCREENGRAB

The project team envisioned turning the space into a model neighbourhood by implementing strategies for easing traffic congestion, placing road side pavements, street furniture such as benches and shades to improve road connectivity and movement for pedestrians and water bodies so that families start visiting the space again.



During renovations. SCREENGRAB

And the project was successful!

After completion SCREENGRAB



The video shows the incredible transformation and heartwarming reactions of people who now visit the place because it's "pleasant and peaceful".







Here, check out the video by SOC Films:



We definitely need more such initiatives to restore Karachi to its former glory!