Traditional Afghan Village Elements: Inspirations for Modern Urban Planning
Afghan villages are rich in culture, functionality, and community-oriented design. These elements, deeply rooted in tradition, offer valuable insights for designing modern cities and neighborhoods that prioritize social cohesion, sustainability, and cultural identity. Below, we explore these village elements, their purposes, urban equivalents, and planning examples.
- Chinar (Central Gathering Space)
One of the most iconic features of Afghan villages is the Chinar, a gathering space located under the shade of massive Panja Chinar (plane) trees. Positioned beside a water canal, this space often includes a simple patio or Chobdara, providing a cool retreat during the summer months. Typically, each cluster of houses that shares a common ancestor or grandfather may have its own Chinar.
The Chinar serves as a focal point for community life, hosting a variety of activities such as:
Social Gatherings: Neighbors and relatives come together to escape the heat, share stories, and build bonds.
- Cultural Events: Weddings, Iftar dinners, and traditional songs are often celebrated here.
- Conflict Resolution: Jirgas (tribal assemblies) convene in the Chinar to resolve disputes and make communal decisions.
This space encapsulates the spirit of community, offering both practicality and cultural significance.
Urban Equivalent: Small green pocket, or heavily shaded spaces with water features for up to 10 houses.
Planning Example: Incorporate pocket green space for a cluster of houses with large trees, pergolas, or fountains in neighborhoods to mimic the cooling and social functions of the Chinar.
- Godar: The Women’s Watering Place
The Godar is a vital element in village life, serving as the spot where girls and women fetch water for household use. Godar could be located on springs, canals, or rivers, and they hold special cultural and romantic significance.
The Godar is more than a practical site; it’s a space where women and girls interact freely, often without covering their faces. It’s also the setting for many Tapas (traditional Pashto couplets), capturing the beginnings of love stories and the poetic beauty of rural life.
This unique space underscores the social dynamics of Afghan villages, celebrating the role of women and their daily contributions to the household.
Urban Equivalent: Public water features or community water points, accessible from the Houses backyards, or pedestrian streets. It can be dedicated to women and men shall be given no access to such space to encourage women to come out from the homes and increase interaction.
Planning Example: Design parks or plazas with fountains, streams, or interactive water features to encourage female gatherings. Female interaction and gathering in Afghan cities have completely abandoned due to western planning and design implementation.
- Hujra: The Guest Room
The Hujra (also called Mel Maston or guest house) is a key feature of almost every Afghan home, reflecting the culture’s deep-rooted hospitality. Dedicated to hosting guests, this room or building is primarily used by male members of the household.
Functions of the Hujra include:
- Entertaining Guests: Offering a warm and respectful space to visitors.
- Cultural Gatherings: Traditional music sessions with instruments like the Rabab and Mangi or Sitar are often held here.
- Community Discussions: Jirgas and other male gatherings take place in the Hujra.
The hujra symbolizes the Afghan value of generosity, where every visitor is treated with utmost respect and care.
Urban Equivalent: People still manage to build it within houses in urban areas. This element should be considered even in apartment housing, but with limited functionality.
- Central Open Space: A Hub for Daily Life
In most Afghan villages, each ancestral group has a central open space that acts as a communal hub. This area is a multi-functional space where villagers come together for:
- Daily Interactions: A casual meeting point for neighbors to share news and conversations.
- Winter Sunbathing: Taking advantage of sunlight during the cold winter months.
- Community Bonding: Strengthening ties within the group through shared moments.
This central space plays a significant role in fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity among the villagers.
Urban Equivalent: Neighborhood greens, larger than Chinar space in scale.
Planning Example: Design small open spaces in residential clusters to act as informal meeting spots for neighbors
- Orchard/Garden Areas (Bagh as Inspiration)
Promote sustainability, food security, and shared green spaces for recreation.
- Urban Equivalent: Community orchards or urban agriculture zones.
- Planning Example: Design urban community gardens or rooftop farms where residents can grow food while fostering social interaction.
- Pedestrian-Friendly Paths (Inspired by Pathways to Godar)
- Urban Equivalent: Walkable pathways connecting neighborhoods to key amenities.
- Purpose: Different types of streets, accessible to various group of residents and have different function, such as vehicle street, Kocha, Pas Kocha etc… Encourage pedestrian movement, provide safe routes for women and children.
- Planning Example: Design pedestrian-only zones or pathways leading to schools, Godar park, Chinar parks, and markets.
- Neighborhood Clusters (Inspired by Ancestor-Based Grouping)
Strengthen social bonds and maintain privacy while encouraging interaction within smaller groups.
- Urban Equivalent: Design housing clusters around communal spaces for families or close-knit communities.
- Planning Example: Develop housing layouts with semi-enclosed courtyards or shared gardens for small groups of houses.
Conclusion
By integrating the principles of traditional Afghan village design into modern urban planning, we can create cities and neighborhoods that are not only functional but also culturally rich and socially connected. Whether it’s the communal essence of the Chinar, or the practicality of the Joy, these elements inspire a harmonious balance between tradition and innovation, ensuring cities remain inclusive, sustainable, and human-centric.