Urban expansion threatens capital’s image
Increase in housing demand due to population growth has resulted in rapid development which is not sustainable
A view of Islamabad city. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The country’s poster child for being clean and green, Islamabad, is fast approaching a conundrum due to its seemingly never-ending expansion, uninterrupted influx of migrants, population growth, and an increase in concrete towers.
At this rate, experts predict by 2030, the capital will soon be known as a concrete city instead of a green city. Albeit there is nothing wrong with being identified as a concrete city, as many other capitals of the world are, Islamabad is already facing the brunt of population growth in the form of water shortages, security issues, rising unemployment, and inflated housing costs.
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Improvement in economy is expected to come from a steady performance of agriculture and recovery in services sector. PHO-TO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Sialkot’s success in the export sector has always been newsworthy. The city specialises in producing a vast variety of export goods including leather products, surgical instruments and sports goods.
Sialkot also held the chance to be one of the leading exporters of Brazuca footballs used in the FIFA World Cup in 2014, an unequalled moment of pride for the city. Some 10% of annual industrial exports from Pakistan are contributed by Sialkot.
Construction work underway at the site of Capital Smart City | Photo by the writer
The village of Treel, which was once a substantial bus ride away from Rawalpindi, has been practically engulfed by the city. As Rawalpindi city grew along the Grand Trunk Road, new housing societies and Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and Bahria phases were approved. In 2008, a joint venture between DHA and Bahria led to the creation of DHA Valley, for which some land was acquired by buying shamilat (historically common-use land) from the residents of Treel.
Treel is not on the GT Road, but it is a 10-kilometre drive away from Rawat, a major trading and transport hub on the GT Road. It is also located on the Kallar Syedan Road, an important route leading up to Kashmir. Given the several locational advantages the village enjoys, including good access to key roads, proximity to the city, an emerging housing society adjacent to the village, residents of Treel have seen a gradual and progressive rise in