KARACHI: Experts have claimed that urban planning is a complex subject that calls for an integrated approach that combines the engineering of settlements with the social concerns of the public in cities like Karachi.
The architecture and planning department of NED University held the 6th international conference on urban and regional planning with the theme “Cities & Poor”.
As per the details, the pro-vice chancellor, Dr. Mouhammad Tufail stated in his remarks that urban planning, particularly in older cities like Karachi, was a complicated subject that should be approached from both the engineering and social perspectives.
He added that the first step in making a citizen’s life easier was having a comprehensive policy while putting that policy into practice in the second step.
The speakers also outlined that Karachi was the largest city with a population of 16.5 million, while 62 percent of its residents lived in informal settlements where they struggled with a variety of problems that range from poor transportation to inadequate healthcare and education.
Besides, Kamil Mumtaz, who also structured the Master Plan for Lahore Division 2050, gave a detailed explanation of how it was attempted to combine ideas of improving mankind through participatory planning in developing the master plan.
The speakers argued that the conference was the best forum for academia, research, government, and policy-making.
