A group of experts has gathered a few days ago to discuss Lahore’s master plan for 2005-2021. However, the discouraging news is that there are so many issues related to Lahore that must be addressed, otherwise, it is a lame document that will lead to major disturbance in the coming years.
There is news to cherish about as well because these experts are called by the government to raise issues that need to be addressed. According to experts, it is never easy to reach a mutual decision when there are so many viewpoints and administrative sector is inseparable from the political sector. Generally, boss’ words are taken as command and experts’ words are viewed as impracticable. This attitude must be changed if the government wants to change Lahore.
Local government does not have representatives to voice the locals’ aspirations and desires. Experts are worried that Lahore’s master plan lacks of the crucial breaking of city into smaller yet manageable units. Experts also pointed out the lack of concern for the risk reduction plan and growing numbers of unplanned, for illegal housing communities within and at outskirts of the city and for preserving historical sites.
Lahore needs a permanent principle and not just a time-barred project. According to all these concerns, a new master plan must be developed for the city. The older plan should be abandoned completely as the ownership does not lie with the current Punjab government but rather with the predecessors. The experts’ meeting is one of the initial steps to disown the master plan for Lahore and to start of a new master plan altogether.
Lahore definitely needs new rules and implementation through small and self administrative units that must be headed by local governments.
