KARACHI: Eminent architects and town planners have recommended making a new and independent master plan of Karachi in order to turn it into a beautiful metropolis with developed infrastructure which not only could compete with other metropolitan cities, but could also meet its future requirements.

They also highlighted the need for an efficient public transport system, including revival of Karachi Circular Railway, to facilitate not only public travelling, but also to help visitors to the city.

These recommendations were made in a conference held here on Thursday on the subject of ‘Transforming Karachi’.

The conference, presided over by provincial Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah, was addressed by noted architects and town planners.

Besides Yasmin Lari, Shah Bano, Tasneem Siddiqui, Asad A. Khan, Fazal Noor, Hameer Soomro, Shahid Abdullah, Prof Anila Naeem, Prof Dr Mir Shabbar Ali, Dr Nasir, Dr Noman Ahmad, others who participated in the discussion were Vice Admiral Syed Arifullah Hussaini, Commissioner of Karachi Iftikhar Shallwani and director general of Urban Policy and Strategic Planning of Sindh Faisal Naqvi.

The technocrats, referring to the drive of removal of encroachments and unauthorised buildings, called for developing and implementing a feasible plan not only for restoration of old glory of Karachi, but also to take care of rehabilitation of the affected families.

They highlighted the need for taking effective steps for promotion of cultural heritage of the city.

Other recommendations regarding land-use conversion, restoration of public parks, playgrounds and other public amenities, were also made.

The conference was organised by the Directorate of Urban Policy and Strategic Planning, planning and development department of the Sindh government.

Advocate general of Sindh briefed the participants about the salient features of the moot held against the backdrop of the recent orders of the Supreme Court.

Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah welcoming the participants appreciated the noted architects and urban master planners for their contribution in making the conference a success by their suggestions.

He said the suggestions would help the department improve infrastructure of Karachi and look after its civic amenities.

The chief secretary also invited the noted architects and urban master planners to make recommendations in respect of removal of encroachment/illegal buildings and rehabilitation of the affected families.

The chief secretary said the Sindh government had succeeded in getting 822 parks out of total 1,578 parks vacated and making them functional while efforts were being made for getting encroachments removed from the remaining parks as well.

The conference participants revi­ewed and discussed earlier Karachi master plans which were prepared in 1922, 1958, 1973-85 and 1996-2000.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2019