Capital Development Authority (CDA) is giving Islamabad a major facelift, after thoroughly reviewing the original master plan prepared in 1960s. In this connection, the civic authority has decided to hire the services of consultants from private sector to extensively review and revise the Islamabad master plan keeping in view the social and economical needs during the next 50 years.
Sources informed Business Recorder here on Monday that at least three experienced firms have been short-listed for selection or a company to review the master plan.
The firms short-listed by the CDA include National Engineering Services of Pakistan (Nespak), London-based MMP and ECIN. They have submitted their financial bids, along with details of technical expertise to the authority, official source said.
However, the source said it is expected that CDA may award the pilot project to MMP Associates, keeping in view its experience and technical soundness.
The initiation of the project may take a month, official said, adding that the consultants would be asked to submit their detailed report to the CDA board before forwarding it to federal cabinet for approval.
The consultants will extensively study the matters relating to land acquisition, water shortage and its supply from Indus or Jhelum, Zone IV, transportation, traffic, mega development schemes, unauthorised buildings/constructions and other civic problems expected in near future. The proposals would be submitted before the CDA board within six months, official added.
The original 1960 master plan had only provided a broad outline for the capital rather than details of long term changes.
The Greek planners had prepared the original master plan. Major review of the master plan was undertaken in the 1985 during General Zia's regime. This was finalised in 1992 and presented to the cabinet for approval.
According to a booklet on Islamabad published by the CDA during the second half of the 1990s, the authority had carried out a "bold and scientific" review of the original master plan of 1985 but it was shelved due to non-approval of the federal cabinet.
At least two major changes were made in the original master plan review in 1985 giving concept of model towns or villages at land originally earmarked for Islamabad and park including some rural areas.
At least eight of such model towns/villages were established, ie, Rawal Town/Humak, Chak Shehzad, Margalla, Tarlai Kalan, Alipur Farash, Kuri and Nurpur Shahan.
The second major change made in the master plan in the 1980s was the redesigning of the central business and commercial district, 'Blue Area'. The original design of Blue Area in the master plan envisaged high-rise buildings on both sides of Jinnah Avenue, which is being followed by the CDA's new administration led by Kamran Lashari.
This was reviewed in the mid-1980s and redesigned by two French architects to evolve "a more practical and aesthetically pleasing design".
The revised plan allowed six-storey buildings on the southern side of Jinnah Avenue (where the commercial plazas are now located) and on the northern side, high-rise buildings of 15 to 19 storeys were allowed (where buildings like Saudi-Pak Towers, State Life, UBL, Habib Bank, Pemra, etc, are now located).
Details of the changes envisioned in the latest review of the master plan have not been disclosed yet, but it is likely to include more green spaces and rural areas for urban use.
NGOs have been demanding that there should be public representation in the CDA board and a fruitful debate be initiated before reviewing the master plan to take into account concerns of public.
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