Karachi: National and international architects, city planners and designers have said that building and maintaining road infrastructure is key to economic growth and the government should prioritize it for sustainable and rapid economic growth.
Due to recent rains and a damaged sewage system, most of the major highways in Karachi are in a dilapidated condition, causing several problems to the citizens, including traffic jams.
The experts expressed these views while addressing the concluding session of a two-day program organized by the Department of Architecture and Planning (DAP) of NED University, titled “Second Conference on Architecture, Architectural Encounters: Neoliberalism and Localism – Controversies and Solutions”.
Prof. Dr. Noman Ahmed, Dean, Faculty of Architecture and Management Science, NED University, termed the sewage system as the root of the problems and said that it has become necessary to reorganize the existing sewage network, by treating the sewage, the sewage water can be used for gardening, the city’s green belt and many other purposes.
He added that Karachi needs a comprehensive road rehabilitation plan, for which it is necessary to budget appropriately, as the 9,500 km road network in Karachi falls under the jurisdiction of various municipal departments and agencies. Dr. Omnia Abdel Bar, Head of the Egyptian Heritage Rescue Foundation, spoke about the challenges of preserving historic quarters in Cairo, and highlighted the delicate balance between architectural restoration and community development and the importance of involving local residents in the rehabilitation works.
NED University DAP Chairperson Prof. Dr. Anila Naeem said that the political system is affecting the governance of the city, prioritizing and implementing road infrastructure is always the first responsibility of the government or state, but unfortunately there is no priority to facilitate the people in the country.
Renowned architect and town planner Rabia Asim said that in fact, through policy development, public-private partnership can improve the overall road network and infrastructure that can provide facilities to all stakeholders, the seminar was addressed by Dr. Saeeduddin Ahmed.
