ISLAMABAD: As the capital continues to expand horizontally due to the booming population, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has been asked to table a policy framework on vertical housing to discourage the construction of multiple-acre houses.

In a progress review meeting with members of the Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) and relevant ministries on Tuesday, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal directed CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa to initiate vertical housing projects in Islamabad.

It is pertinent to note here that there are not many skyscrapers in the federal capital as CDA does not allow a floor area ratio (FAR) of more than 1:12.

This practice has resulted in the horizontal expansion of the city, eating up agricultural land in the peripheries. For instance, Centaurus is the tallest building in the capital with a height of 440 feet whereas One Constitution – also known as the twin towers – is 430-foot tall. Though there are apartment complexes in some sectors, these buildings hardly have more than a dozen floors.

Planning minister says horizontal expansion puts food security at risk

According to a CDA official, “There is no building in Islamabad that is more than 450 feet tall while in other cities of the world, 700 to 800 feet residential-cum-commercial buildings are the new normal.”

He lauded the focus on vertical housing, but also stressed the capacity building of the civic agency. The CDA should also be equipped to cope with any emergency situation in the high-rises as currently, the emergency and disaster management of the civic agency cannot extinguish fire in any building that is more than 225 feet tall.

A press release issued by the planning ministry said that following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives to identify all state properties and pool them under the public-private partnership model for better utilisation, he instructed the CDA chief to table and implement a policy framework for high-rise housing in the city.

“Pakistan cannot afford to continue expanding horizontally to meet residential and commercial needs,” said Minister Ahsan Iqbal, adding that “we must prioritise vertical housing to protect our green spaces, ensure food security, and provide affordable housing for all, especially for the deprived segments of our society”.

He said that vertical housing and commercial activities would not only make housing more affordable but also safeguard the environment and food security.

He directed the CDA to study leading metropolises, like Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, and Shanghai, to learn from their best practices and incorporate them into the Islamabad plan.

He also directed the chairman to table a policy framework on vertical housing as soon as possible, which could be replicated across the country. This initiative would mark a significant shift towards sustainable urban development in Pakistan, prioritising the needs of the people and the environment, maintained Mr Iqbal.

He also directed the CDA chairman to build a modern state-of-the-art National Library, suggesting an international competition of architects to deliver an innovative concept of a modern library to be set up in Islamabad.

“The library must serve as an ideal public space where youth can not only learn and grow but also engage in healthy debates, which will gradually help to reduce polarisation in the society,” the minister added.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2024