September 23, 2008	Tuesday	Ramazan 22, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Sept 22: Comprehensive planning and political will is needed to cope with the challenges posed by increasing urbanisation, particularly traffic mess, pollution and low condition of life, leading urban strategists said on Monday.

Addressing as chief guest at a seminar on “sustainable urban development and transport” organised by Planning Commission, former Mayor of Bogoto, Columbia, Enrique Penalosa, stressed the need for improving the quality of life in cities for economic uplift and development.

Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Salman Faruqi chaired the seminar while among others, Adviser to Planning Commission Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad and Parliamentary Secretary Mian Abdus Sattar were present on the occasion.

Improved living standard in a city is necessary for economic development, Mr. Penalosa said adding “If you have quality life you can attract investor as well as high educated people to dwell in and lead it towards development.”

He was of the view that Pakistan had much better opportunity available to build its cities aiming at providing quality life to its citizens.

He stressed the need for comprehensive measures for controlling traffic and its effects adding that a special tax should be imposed on use of private cars to encourage people travel in public transport.

However, he said, there must be good public transport.

He said in the best cities of the world a large majority of people used public transport for their daily mobility.

“The exercise not only helps reduce traffic jams but is also environment-friendly.”

He was of the view that modern bus system should be introduced where there should be exclusive lanes for buses and modern bus stations should be developed to facilitate the public.

“A good city is where people want to be outside, a city that is good for children, the elderly, the handicapped, the poor and everybody else,” he said adding that in terms of transport, a good city is not one with great highways but rather one where a child in a bicycle could go safely everywhere.—APP