Although Islamabad’s master plan has to be reviewed every 20 years, it couldn’t be reviewed after 1960. Therefore, the current plan is, of course, outdated. The maladministration has resulted in the deprivation of basic amenities in many low-income areas, where there’s a severe lack of health, education and electricity. But now, a special Federal Commission has been formed to resolve such issues in the master plan. And the best part is that the public can also be a part of the process now.
How so? Continue reading to find out.
Public Survey For Revising Islamabad’s Master Plan
The Federal Commission that has been assigned the task to review the master plan of Islamabad has put up an online public survey. The basic purpose of this online survey is to seek suggestions and input from people belonging to different backgrounds who live in the capital city. What kind of problems residents of Islamabad face? What are the issues that need to be taken care of in the capital city’s master plan? How do the people of Islamabad envision the capital’s future? You can also have your say in developing Islamabad’s master plan. Let us discuss further what the public survey form entails.
Details of public survey form for the capital city’s master plan
Well, first you need to visit CDA’s website where the public opinion survey form is available. After opening up the form, you will have to fill in your personal information – name, gender, date of birth and qualification. Then you need to state your profession whether you are a student, entrepreneur, working in the government, unemployed or a housewife. Then there is an option of how long you stay in Islamabad. There are people who live in Rawalpindi but have their offices in Islamabad and so they spend their day time in the city.
If you are the one who works in an office in the capital city then you will choose ‘Day time’ while describing your stay. But if on the contrary you have an office in the twin city – Rawalpindi and you live in Islamabad – this means you spend your night time in Islamabad so you will select ‘Night time’ when describing your stay. Select ‘Full Time’ if you have both personal and work lives in Islamabad.
Major issues to be addressed in the future Islamabad’s Master Plan (IMP)
After filling out the basics, residents can suggest the improvements they want to see in different areas such as housing, mobility, sanitation, gas supply, water supply, electricity, open spaces, education, health, industrial development and availability of parking spaces. You have to rate from 1 to 5 where 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest.
Types of housing units you would prefer in Islamabad’s Master Plan
Would you like to see a row of houses joined by common sidewalls? Or would you prefer single bungalows aka single-family houses? Or would you prefer going vertical?
In line with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision to have more high-rise buildings in Islamabad, the survey form gives options if residents would like to see more ground plus 4 apartment buildings, ground plus 8 high rises or even ground plus 9 and above high-rise apartments in the capital city. Have your say in Islamabad’s Master Plan and choose wisely.
Mobility issues that are important for you to be addressed in IMP
Residents of Islamabad who complain about transport issues and problems can now actually share their opinions through the public opinion survey form. If the city lacks footpaths, pedestrian bridges or walkways, you can suggest it in the form. If you feel that the city doesn’t have enough separate lanes for motorcyclists, then select ‘Lack of cycle/motorcycle lanes.’
Islamabad has already started working on ways to improve mobility in the city. Case in point: CDA’s route planner app that will make commute quite efficient.
If you are facing public transport issues, then mark it accordingly on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is at the lowest end of the scale. Also, CDA is taking measures to cater to the needs of residents. Recently, CDA’s plans to construct Korang bridge to ease traffic congestion on Islamabad Expressway have been welcomed by the residents of the city. You can also rate traffic congestion as a problem that needs to be addressed in Islamabad’s Master Plan.
Water supply and sanitation issues
The problem of inadequate water supply still exists in Islamabad. As the population is continuously growing, so are the needs of its people. You can also rate each issue on a scale of 1 to 5. Whether it is inadequate water supply, poor sanitation services or the quality of water, you can share your views about it. Moreover, if you think the infrastructure used to supply water in the city needs an upgrade you can mention it in the public form survey.
Educational institutions that you think must be addressed
If you think there is a shortage of schools in Islamabad or if the quality of education needs improvement or if you think there should be more technical educational institutions in the capital city then give your suggestions by filling out the form available on CDA’s official website.
Recently, CDA has announced that it is devising a plan to shift schools from residential areas and these educational institutions will be relocated. The revised policy will also ensure that no one opens up a school in any residential house in the future.
Community facilities and open spaces that you think should be included in Islamabad’s Master Plan
So, if you think there should be more green spaces like family parks and playgrounds, then share your thoughts by grading it in the public survey form for Islamabad’s master plan. Libraries, places of worship and community centres should be a part of the master plan for any developed city. If you think the city lacks in overall cleanliness and maintenance then do mention it in the survey form.
After ticking all the relevant boxes, there is a box available where you can place your comments – anything that you want in Islamabad’s future master plan.
Revisions in Islamabad’s original master plan — a little background
Here are some important facts about the revision in the original master plan:
- The CDA had initiated the process of revising Islamabad’s master plan in 1986 and 2005 but it wasn’t approved by the federal government.
- The Islamabad Capital Territory Zoning Regulation was promulgated in the year 1992 under which Islamabad was divided into five zones which was approved by the federal government. Amendments were made in 2010 while a number of individual changes were also introduced.
- Successive governments in the past have made changes to the original master plan without suggesting any possible alternatives. As per a local news report, “the entire I-8 was to serve as a centre for transport services but it was turned into a residential sector in 1990 without reserving any space for the transport sector.”
- Many other changes have been made to the original master plan which includes shifting of the botanical garden from the southwest of Rawal Lake which was its original location to reserved forest in Bani Gala. Similarly, the sector F-9 which was purely a residential area has been converted into a family park.
- Other significant changes in the original master plan include sector E-11, which was originally planned to be an ordinary residential sector, but now it has been developed as a private and government housing area.
- Sector I-15 and I-16 have also been converted into residential sectors, but they were originally planned as industrial sectors.
- Moreover, the government also changed the use of Zone II and Zone V. It was shifted from the rural border to develop new residential and industrial sectors.
So, these were some of the lesser-known facts that you should know about Islamabad’s master plan. If you would like to share your views about the public survey form or about the master plan, then do share your precious feedback with us at blog@zameen.com. Also, subscribe to the best lifestyle blog in Pakistan – Zameen Blog.
