Nestled 2,100 m above sea level and surrounded by the Pamir Mountains, the town of Khorog (Tajikistan) is home to 22,000 inhabitants. As the town’s central public green space, Khorog Park is the main recreation space for the local population, and the site of international festivals and other cultural activities.

Ten years ago, and faced with the impact of civil and political unrest, the park was in a state of abandonment and deterioration, with several areas destroyed. Responding to the need for a public space for refuge and recreation and capitalizing on its geographic setting, redevelopment of the park began in 2005 with the support of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC). The project sought to rehabilitate the park’s green areas and strengthen social connectedness through developing the park as a space for cultural events, together with an open air theatre, café and teahouse. 

A defining feature of the rehabilitation strategy was the strong participation of civil society in the design, planning and realization of the development works. Design was formulated through public consultation, and locally-sourced materials were used wherever possible with a view to conserving and enhancing the existing natural features that exemplify the park’s setting. Major landscape rehabilitation and construction works involved the active participation of the local population through discussion groups, volunteer work, employment and visits. At the level of governance of the Park, the local population is integral to decision-making, working together with the heads of 18 neighbourhood associations of Khorog, members of the Khorog city government, and representatives of the Aga Khan Development Network's local agencies.

Source: Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design, report for Study Area 4