THAAP conference: Classes, boundaries discussed on second day
Participants also attend screening of Iranian feature film
PHOTO: EXPRESS
LAHORE:
More research papers were presented on the relationship of people and politics with cities at three sessions on the second day of THAAP conference on Saturday.
The day started with the third session – the first two were held on the first day of the conference – chaired by Beaconhouse National University School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Acting Dean Professor Dr Tariq Rehman.
The first paper was presented by Najia Zaidi, a PhD student at School of Geography and Planning of Cardiff University. The paper titled ‘Exploring Social, Spatial and Political Drivers of the Informal Economy in a Divided City: Karachi, Pakistan’ researched the power struggle on informal trading spaces that catered to the employment needs of people with low-income backgrounds.
The second paper of the day was presented by Maria Aslam Hyder, a practising architect and post-professional candidate at the architecture department of McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Her paper titled ‘Tangible Boundaries – The City of Karachi’ read about the psychological barriers or boundaries existing within the living parameters of Karachi, among its residents.
The third paper was presented by Dr Khatumal Logano and Dominic Stephen titled ‘The Denizens of Mithi: Life in Changing Times’. It reads about the current status of the caste system in globalised cities, such as Mithi in Tharparkar, as a result of changing times.
Views, impacts
The fourth session of the conference was chaired by Forman Christian College University Professor Dr Syeda Arfa Zahra. The fourth paper of the day was presented on depoliticisation of public spaces in Lahore. It was written by Qaisar Abbas, an actor and director, and Ghiasuddin Pir. Both of them are part of the team that is making the curricula for an upcoming institute. Their paper is based on the impact of urban expansion on restructuring people’s lives, particularly with regard to the restriction of public places and the discouragement of apolitical performances through oppression.
The next paper of the session was presented by Catherine Weinstock, a freelance journalist. Her paper titled, ‘The duality of Gentrification’ is based on the nature of change and its consequences. She has also offered certain solutions in her paper to mitigate the negative impact of change.
The sixth paper of the day was presented by Bedatri Datta Choudhury, a graduate student at the cinema studies department of Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. Her paper titled, ‘Gazing Men, Looking Women: The Eye Within the Metropolis’ explores the differences among men and women in the ways they view the city, depending on the mobility or restrictions for each gender. She has reviewed characters in certain films to depict the difference.
The seventh paper was by Mehreen Jamal, a PhD student at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, USA. Her paper titled, ‘Finding Her in the Cinematic Representation in Pakistan’ mentioned the film, Aurat Raj, and how it challenged the stereotypical feminine representation in the present society.
The presentations of papers ended with another session, after which the delegation moved to Government College University, Lahore for a talk by Professor Tahir Kamran. It was followed by the screening of an Iranian feature film, Close-Up, directed by Abbas Kiarostami and Mohsen Makhmalbaf.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2016.
More research papers were presented on the relationship of people and politics with cities at three sessions on the second day of THAAP conference on Saturday.
The day started with the third session – the first two were held on the first day of the conference – chaired by Beaconhouse National University School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Acting Dean Professor Dr Tariq Rehman.
The first paper was presented by Najia Zaidi, a PhD student at School of Geography and Planning of Cardiff University. The paper titled ‘Exploring Social, Spatial and Political Drivers of the Informal Economy in a Divided City: Karachi, Pakistan’ researched the power struggle on informal trading spaces that catered to the employment needs of people with low-income backgrounds.
The second paper of the day was presented by Maria Aslam Hyder, a practising architect and post-professional candidate at the architecture department of McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Her paper titled ‘Tangible Boundaries – The City of Karachi’ read about the psychological barriers or boundaries existing within the living parameters of Karachi, among its residents.
The third paper was presented by Dr Khatumal Logano and Dominic Stephen titled ‘The Denizens of Mithi: Life in Changing Times’. It reads about the current status of the caste system in globalised cities, such as Mithi in Tharparkar, as a result of changing times.
Views, impacts
The fourth session of the conference was chaired by Forman Christian College University Professor Dr Syeda Arfa Zahra. The fourth paper of the day was presented on depoliticisation of public spaces in Lahore. It was written by Qaisar Abbas, an actor and director, and Ghiasuddin Pir. Both of them are part of the team that is making the curricula for an upcoming institute. Their paper is based on the impact of urban expansion on restructuring people’s lives, particularly with regard to the restriction of public places and the discouragement of apolitical performances through oppression.
The next paper of the session was presented by Catherine Weinstock, a freelance journalist. Her paper titled, ‘The duality of Gentrification’ is based on the nature of change and its consequences. She has also offered certain solutions in her paper to mitigate the negative impact of change.
The sixth paper of the day was presented by Bedatri Datta Choudhury, a graduate student at the cinema studies department of Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. Her paper titled, ‘Gazing Men, Looking Women: The Eye Within the Metropolis’ explores the differences among men and women in the ways they view the city, depending on the mobility or restrictions for each gender. She has reviewed characters in certain films to depict the difference.
The seventh paper was by Mehreen Jamal, a PhD student at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, USA. Her paper titled, ‘Finding Her in the Cinematic Representation in Pakistan’ mentioned the film, Aurat Raj, and how it challenged the stereotypical feminine representation in the present society.
The presentations of papers ended with another session, after which the delegation moved to Government College University, Lahore for a talk by Professor Tahir Kamran. It was followed by the screening of an Iranian feature film, Close-Up, directed by Abbas Kiarostami and Mohsen Makhmalbaf.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2016.