LDA annuls temporary commercialisation at its schemes

The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has been taking various steps from time to time to regulate its developments. With its large-scale LDA City project being rolled out, the authority is also focussing on its other housing schemes and is taking the necessary measures to better season the real estate developments that fall under its jurisdiction.

Recently, the civic authority has taken another vigilant step and has banned temporary commercialisation in Jubilee Town, LDA Avenue I and Mohlanwal Housing Scheme. The decision has been taken after considering various related aspects and also the commercialisation policy of the Defence Housing Authority (DHA), according to which commercial activity in DHA is only allowed in designated zones.

Previously, temporary commercialisation in LDA’s schemes was allowed under Rule 31 of the Land Use Rules of 2014, under which the authority granted permission to commercialise properties on an annual basis. Temporary commercialisation was used as a gateway to conduct business activities in residential areas, but now the authority has banned this practice, which, in my opinion, is a favourable move as commercial activities in residential areas usually irk residents and badly affect the beauty of and free movement in residential zones.

The three schemes mentioned above are yet to be developed, so discouraging temporary commercialisation in these areas from the get-go was imperative. If commercialisation was allowed, people would develop commercial buildings on residential plots, which would adversely affect the layout plans of these societies.

Designated commercial zones of these schemes are yet to be developed, and since the LDA is considering the implementation of a DHA-like commercialisation policy, the ban on temporary commercialisation is something that was much-needed.

I also live in an LDA scheme (I would prefer not to name it for obvious reasons!) which was developed some years ago. There are commercial centres in the residential areas of the scheme because of which the residential feel of the area has been terribly impaired. Considering this, I appreciate the LDA’s decision to bar temporary commercialisation in its new residential schemes.