KABUL, May 9: The government of Afghanistan and the municipality of Kabul have confirmed that the Aga Khan Trust for Culture will lead a project to enable reutilization of the historic Bagh-i-Babur as a major open space and also to rehabilitate neighbourhood dwellings and public sanitation facilities.

The confirmation follows an agreement last week under which the Trust launched a revitalization initiative around the Timur Shah Mausoleum, in the centre of the city.

Both projects were first announced over four weeks ago by the Aga Khan.

Besides developing a master plan, facilitating technical and material support, and overseeing restoration work, the Trust will help the Afghan government and the Kabul municipality establish a trust fund to enable revenues from any commercial outlets in the neighbourhood to be reinvested and assure sustainability.