Café learning session with architect Kamil Khan Mumtaz

Renowned architect and heritage conservationist Kamil Khan Mumtaz recently spoke at a 'Café Learning Session' held at the Lahore Fort, discussing the importance of conservation and its connection to sustainable practices. The event, organized by Aga Khan Cultural Service - Pakistan (AKCS-P), gathered a diverse group of professionals including artists, surface conservators, architects, engineers, and archivists.

Mumtaz emphasized that conservation, often viewed through a postmodernist lens tied to economic development, risks losing its essence - its role in connecting us to the past and preserving valuable knowledge. He contrasted this with the traditional model of societies, where the extraction of resources from nature was balanced with giving back, akin to a circular economy. This system, which humans followed for 300,000 years, ensured a sustainable coexistence with nature.

The transition from the Agricultural Revolution to the Industrial Revolution, Mumtaz argued, marked a shift towards overconsumption and the depletion of Earth's resources. He called for a sustainable approach that mirrors the responsible resource use of traditional societies, advocating for mindful resource utilization within planetary limits. He highlighted the healing power of nature during the Covid-19 pandemic, attributing it to a temporary return to a more balanced relationship with the environment.

Mumtaz urged the importance of learning from indigenous knowledge and traditionalism, which he believes can guide us in developing a future that respects and learns from the past. He dismissed modernism as "inherently flawed" and suggested that traditional principles can offer a path to a sustainable future. The session underscored the need to integrate traditional knowledge into modern practices, highlighting its value in creating climate-friendly and resilient structures.