ISLAMABAD, Sept 5: The Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan (AKPBS-P) has won the World Habitat Award 2006 for its efforts to improve housing conditions through its Building and Construction Improvement Programme (BACIP), said a press release issued here on Tuesday.

It is the second time that a Pakistani organisation has won the prestigious award. The previous award winner was the Orangi Pilot Project in 2001.

World Habitat awards are presented each year on the occasion of World Habitat Day, observed on the first Monday of October by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme.

Two awards are given annually to projects that provide practical and innovative solutions to current housing needs and problems. Every year a prize of 10,000 pound sterling is presented to each of the two winners.

AKPBS-P was established in 1980 as an agency of the worldwide Aga Khan Development Network. In March this year, it received the $1 million Alcan Prize for sustainability for its efforts to improve housing conditions as well as water and sanitation facilities in Pakistan.

BACIP is designed to improve living conditions by developing solutions to issues relating to housing and the built environment. The programme has developed low-cost, seismic- resistant, energy and resource-efficient housing construction methods and standards. Over 15,000 fuel-efficient products have been installed in 7,000 households to date, benefiting more than 50,000 people.