Lack of planning for urban development

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

Wednesday, December 23, 2009
By By Ali Raza
LAHORE

The lack of any planning for urban development emerged as the most vital issue in the provincial capital during the year 2009, compelling the citizens to face problems like unavailability of civic facilities, including broken roads, scattered solid waste, encroachments, lack of parking facilities and adulterated food.

Rapid commercialization, unplanned establishment of residential areas and continued presence of industrial clusters within the residential localities, have turned the beautiful city of Lahore into a jungle of people where might seems to be right.

Grave violations in building rules, especially in commercial buildings and high-rise structures, also continued during the year 2009.

The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) launched a massive crackdown on high-rise buildings on December 6, 2009.

The crackdown reflected that, in the past, LDA officials had allowed a large number of illegal high-rise buildings and other commercial structures.

Though the present LDA management initiated action against several officials, including many senior officers, the agony being faced by the citizens due to the illegal high rises is still there.

Rising pollution, uncovered sewer drains and lines, contaminated drinking water, easy availability of adulterated edibles, poor collection of solid and hospital waste are some of the big problems faced by the citizens during this year.

The cutting down of trees along the canal in the name of development was also one of the key features of the year 2009.

Various civil society organizations aggressively demanded rolling back of the project but no one put an ear to their demands.

Finally, the Lahore High Court took a suo motu notice of the issue.

The issue of revival of the post of commissioner also remained an important event in the year 2009.

The end of local bodies system and unavailability of development funds to the district representatives added to the citizensí problems.

The lack of urban planning was due to the existence of city governments and autonomous civic bodies.

The city is under the control of City District Government Lahore (CDGL) but Lahore Development Authority (LDA) is also handling the affairs of more than half of the cityís prime land and locations.

Besides this, the area of Cant is governed by Cantonment Board while many private societies like DHA and Model Town Society are also running their affairs as per their own laws.

Ironically, when the LDA plans to start a new residential colony, it does not take any permission from the City District Government.

The same is the case with others.

Establishment of a single authority to streamline the city affairs and ensure better town planning and urban development in the city is a long-standing demand of the citizens.

Town planning means using land to explore a very wide range of aspects of the built and social environments of urbanized municipalities and communities.

Urban planning should respect natural, artistic and historic heritage, an understanding of the townscape, pedestrians and other modes of traffic, utilities and natural hazards, such as flood zones.

All these rules and phenomenon were neither followed nor respected during the year.

City planners compromised over buildings, roads, services and basic infrastructure like power, water and sewerage and all these facilities need an immediate re-evaluation, the citizens demanded. The collection of solid waste and its scientific disposal is also one of the immediate demands of the Lahorites as the presence of solid waste is heavily contributing to polluting the city in one or the other way.

Around 8,000 tons of solid waste is generated daily in Lahore, while over 500 tons waste is generated in Lahore cantonment board, model town society, defence housing society and other areas.

Out of this waste, more than 40 per cent remained on the roads due to various reasons, including low lifting capacity of CDGL, lack of proper training to staff regarding lifting garbage, absence of staffers from duties etc.

Interestingly, the only change in SWM system introduced during the year 2009 was that the sweepers deputed on The Canal Bank Road, Gulberg and other posh localities were provided yellow uniforms and rolling garbage containers. The rest of city remained at the mercy of sweepers who did not bother to perform their duties in true manner.

Easy provision of adulterated edibles and beverages also caused serious affects on the lives of the citizens while the food department of the CDGL remained busy in performing special duties and arranging high-profile luncheons and dinners for the Punjab government.

The CDGL’s food department, responsible to curb adulteration, also acted like a silent spectator and no major crackdown on hotels, restaurants, wholesalers and retailers was launched during the year to curb adulteration.

However, small drives were launched time to time, which were not appreciated by the Lahorites.

Commercial centers were established in every nook and corner of the city and majority of them ëforgotí to follow all rules and regulations relating to parking facilities.

Citizens commented that this gross and mass violation was done with the connivance of the civic agencies concerned like the Lahore Development Authority (LDA), the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) and town administrations.

The major projects started in the city were the construction of Shalimar Underpass and Overhead, and they too were delayed for more than three months in the city.

Likewise completion of Sagian Interchange is one of the big tasks achieved during the year 2009.

Considering the present circumstances, Lahorites urged the new government to take extra initiative to streamline the present state of affairs in the provincial capital and provide a good and living atmosphere to the residents during the year 2010.