Preserving Kabul

A broad cleanup and revitalization project in the oldest parts of Kabul, Afghanistan, are bringing new life to the war-ravaged city.

1 minute read

January 24, 2008, 11:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg

"Just about every unemployed man in Murad Khane was recruited to clean up years of litter and mud piled on top of the streets. By the time they were done, the streets and alleys were lower."

"The garbage project is part of an effort to clean up and restore old Kabul, after six years of relative peace and with millions of dollars from foreign donors."

"These intricate, 19th century homes barely survived bombardment in the 1990s, when Kabul became the front line of Afghanistan's bloody civil war, and earlier plans to raze them for apartments. But rocket shells and earthquakes have left most teetering in rickety ruin."

"Now the mud and timber homes are being restored to their former splendor, instilling a newfound pride among the mostly working-class residents of the old city."

FULL STORY: Kabul's old city gets major renovation

Sunday, January 20, 2008 in Associated Press

History / Preservation Housing Middle East

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