Lahore: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has announced the second round of consultations on the Master Plan of Lahore Division 2050 through public notices and hearings, according to news published on May 10.
The second round of consultations is being held in association with various stakeholders in a bid to get more ‘viable and logical input’ from the public at large. Previously, four public hearings in Lahore, one each in Kasur, Sheikhupur and Nankana Sahib were held to invite public suggestions during the first round.
As per an LDA official, the suggestions posed by the public will be incorporated into the plan. He revealed that already 20 suggestions/observations have been submitted by people through LDA’s one-window operations.
It was highlighted that the draft ofthe master plan envisions an addition of 12.6 million to the existing population of Lahore in the coming 28 years. To accommodate the growth, it is recommended that nine million people will be inhabiting within the administrative boundaries, while the remaining 3.6 million will be residing outside it. The plan proposes to accommodate the growing population with limited horizontal expansion to preserve green areas.
Furthermore, the plan states that in the light of sub-rule 5 (a) of LDA Master Plan Rules 2014, a detailed land-use survey was conducted with high-resolution satellite images and field visits. It was also highlighted that sample households’ surveys were also conducted to gather data about housing, demographics, social services, transport and environment etc.
The plan relies on the modern concept of neighbourhood planning to propose uniform distribution of facilities to enhance public access and reduce the need for travelling, thereby limiting traffic load. The master plan adopted approaches that focus on densification and mixed-used developments alongside structure plan roads for zoning of the district. The plan has identified broad areas – particularly in the south – where density can be boosted without reducing life quality for residents. A buffer zone of around 500 metres has been suggested adjacent to each structure’s road context and existing community buildings – with varying percentages as per the location.
Moreover, the master plan draft recommends zoning informal areas into neighbourhoods with 10,000 people to formulate the base for the provision of community facilities and commercial services to meet the day-to-day needs of residents. The official has revealed that the LDA team is currently reviewing the recommendations received in response to the public notice to incorporate them in the master plan and future suggestions received will also be vetted and included in the plan after undergoing the same process.
Hazafa reveres the art of writing and has been turned into a property enthusiast by profession. Her daily survival kit includes; tea, coffee, keyboard and paperbacks.
