LAHORE: Punjab is set to launch a strategy soon to facilitate integrated planning by involving spatial dimension to infrastructural development in Lahore and other cities.

The core objective of the move is to equip Punjab with a long-term spatial planning framework that will structurally transform it into an economically developed and sustainable region.

The strategy, according to the planning and development department, aims at enabling the province to move in a unified direction, building on comparative advantages and enhancing competitiveness while ensuring balanced and organised development across Punjab. The Planning & Development Board is the sponsoring agency for this key intervention while the Urban Unit will be the executing agency of this project.

“The Punjab Spatial Strategy has been developed through a rigorous process with the help of many subject experts/specialists and a large team of consultants, planners and GIS practitioners. We also sought input from various stakeholders through consultative sessions held periodically, including five sessions with academia and private businesses and more than 17 with various government departments and numerous others for public discourse and deliberations in the presence of international experts,” explained P&D Chairman Habibur Rehman Gillani while presiding over a meeting here on Monday.

The strategy would make the Annual Development Programme (ADP) formulation process of the province a spatially well-informed whereas the resources would be optimally used, leading to reducing intra and inter-regional disparities and ensuring access to economic opportunities.

For implementation of the system, Mr Gillani said a strong implementation, monitoring and evaluation framework was also being planned along with assigned roles for all key public sector stakeholders.

“The strategy is expected to have a lasting spatial impact on policymaking, planning and development interventions by both the public and private sectors in Punjab,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2019