A delegation of Japanese experts of Independent Living addressed a seminar at City and Regional Planning Department, Lahore College for Women University (LCWU). The seminar was organised in collaboration with International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP), the Netherlands, Milestone Association of the Special Persons, Pakistan and Mainstream Association Japan.
The seminar was conducted to discuss "Independent Living and City Planning for Physically Handicapped Citizens" in Pakistan. Japanese expert from NPO Mainstream Association shared the experiences of Handicapped Persons to bring a change in development process of Japan. Professor Dr Farhat Saleemi, Dean Faculty of Engineering and Technology welcome the Japanese guest and the participants of seminar.
Professor Dr Sabiha Mansoor, Vice Chancellor, in her message, announced that LCWU will play its vital role for policy formulation at provincial level for realisation of the development rights of handicapped citizens for inclusive city planning. Addressing the seminar Professor Dr S. Benjmin, Registrar of LCWU welcomed the Japanese delegation on behalf the University.
Address the seminar, Dr M. Atiq ur Rahman, Head of City and Regional Planning Department said that there is a need of paradigm shift in city planning regulations of development authorities and building control agencies in Pakistan, so that design parameter for a barrier free city planning can be included for new housing projects in future.
Cities and town must qualify for the design parameters as defined in the Universal Design for Independent Living to make cities a better place to live in for all citizens including elders, youth and disabled. Japanese delegation of experts proposed several recommendations to be included for policy making and building design to make LCWU campus as a barrier free campus for all students with different kind of disability. Japanese delegation includes Toshihiko Hata, Masayuki Hirata, Yuko Arai, Tomohiro Krima, Hideyuki Aoki, Masakazu Nakbar Yashi, Masakazu Fukrumura, Makoto Sato, Kazumi Rachi, Ayako Kotani, Ayasa Sakae and Yukina Murakami.