PLANS seem to be going full steam ahead to alter Karachi's skyline. Apparently President Zardari thinks that Karachi deserves a modern skyline boasting skyscrapers, in keeping with its status as one of the world's largest cities. Foreign consultants are being hired, while a High Density Zone Board has been established by the Karachi Building Control Authority. Legislation is due to be tabled in the Sindh Assembly to regulate the construction of skyscrapers. The chronology of Karachi's skyscraper development schemes shows that a grandiose plan to build 100-storey-plus structures in the city was shelved as it clashed with the Karachi Strategic Development Plan 2020. The KBCA then suggested that 40-storey skyscrapers be built along any of the city's 23 declared commercial roads. When Karachi's leading architects and planners were consulted, they rejected the recommendations which if carried out would have transformed the whole city into a 'high-rise density zone'. It was rightly pointed out that putting in place the infrastructure for these buildings would not be possible. The current situation is that two zones have been earmarked for the construction of skyscrapers.

Does the government have the capacity and resolve to properly regulate these massive structures? The KBCA has proved itself to be deficient in the enforcement of building-control laws for existing structures. Secondly, as the city's chief controller of buildings has pointed out, skyscrapers cannot be built until modern fire-fighting, sewerage and water-supply systems are in place. The magnitude of an accident in a skyscraper could be devastating without essential emergency services. It is a good thing that the government has chosen to consult experts and citizens on the matter. We hope this process of consultation continues and whatever the final decision is the interest and safety of the city's primary stakeholders — its citizens — are prioritised.