Engineering Post Report
In Pakistan, the process of urbanization and economic development has been mutually interdependent. Consistent with the global trend, the urban centres in Pakistan have also become the drivers of economic growth.
It is estimated that the cities contribute around 80 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).To achieve the sectoral objectives, an allocation of approximately Rs 26 billion was made in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) of the Federal Government for financial year 2020-21 to different federal ministries and the line departments for implementation of physical planning and housing sector programmes/projects. Similarly, the provincial government also had allocated substantial amount for the execution of projects relating to the sector.
The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives has also launched a National Programme to mitigate the impact of pandemic of COVID-19 with an outlay of Rs 70 billion.
An amount of approximately Rs 49 billion was also allocated in the PSDP 2021-22 for implementation of physical planning and housing sector programmes by various ministries/divisions and line departments as per the following:
Formulation of urban contingency plans to mitigate and adapt to the crises as well as restoration/recovery plans to manage post crisis scenario. Urban contingency plans quite obviously will focus adopting a combination of proactive surveillance, routine communication, rapid isolation and personal and community protection measures. Urban contingency plans so being prepared accordingly also include pandemic laws and crisis management regulations, guidelines for urban design retrofits; and digital plans with use of ubiquitous technology for geo-fencing, location finding and community engagement.
Preparation/ development of Integrated Strategic Development Plans as well as Smart City Master Plans for cities on CPEC corridor including Gwadar.
Promote public-private partnership for housing and new urban centres on the build-own-operate (BOO) and build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis.
