KARACHI, May 8: A model of University Road made by objects such as rubber erasers with detailed descriptions of its historical evolution, socio-spatial issues, land use problems, transportation impediments and demographic mappings of the area has been put on display at the city campus of the NED university.
The research project of a comprehensive environmental design of University Road was undertaken by final-year students of the university’s architecture department as part of their studies.
In order to construct the model, first a base plan was made and then objects of building models’ height were put in place. The model brings into view the structures, open spaces and kutchi abadis around the road. It took the students six months to complete the study.
According to the research, University Road is spread over a little more than 12 kilometres, running from the Jail Road Chowrangi to Safoora Goth. Though the introduction of the signal-free corridors has its benefits, it has caused problems such as shrinkage of pedestrian space, minimum internal connectivity between neighbourhoods and less local traffic. The presence and prominence of anti-social elements, owing to not enough pedestrian space, has made it difficult for students and women to move around the vicinity without any fear.
In terms of the historical evolution of University Road, the research suggests that after the inception of Pakistan, the thoroughfare, then known as Country Club Road, underwent many changes. The relocation of Karachi University to this area expedited the process of development and the use of land started to happen without a definite plan. With the passage of time the road utilisation balance became a worrisome factor.
The study indicates that the development carried out between 1960 and 1970 was limited. A sudden acceleration was witnessed between 1971 and 1980 and the momentum was maintained in the next decade. In the 1990s the Gulistan-i-Jauhar neighbourhood was developed (although it had been envisaged in 1979). The haphazard growth has created many problems, the most important of which is insufficient transport. There are not many buses which is why people opt for other modes of transportation such as Quingqi rickshaws. Then the menace of encroachments has assumed dangerous proportions and is hard to reverse because of the influence of the different social and political groups in the area.
The study has come up with the following solutions: segregation of through traffic and local traffic; a comprehensive land-use survey and revival of property rights; redemption of parks and open spaces; expansion of public bus fleet; and shifting of solid waste dumping grounds to identified locations.
The research will be published in report form and sent to the relevant civic bodies. The display is on till May 10. —Peerzada Salman