Non-profit group Shehri’s initiative to build a “visionary model” for three goths or settlements in Gadap Town was criticised for its “impracticality” and “utopian vision” at a presentation on Thursday.
Shehri member Farhan Anwer introduced the model to a crammed hall and said it “aimed at empowering residents so that they can participate in community development.”
The project, titled Happy Goth, will use the three areas as research models for 12 months to identify factors which may have political, administrative and development implications on the rural areas.
Political decisions are made without taking into account how the locals feel or think, highlighted Farhan. “With this model, we will be able to identify the loopholes and fix them, with the help of local representatives,” he added.
The aim is to highlight the effects of increasing urbanisation, which is impacting the make-up of these areas. No one has control over the lands or their problems, which include encroachments, mafia groups and land issues, so it is difficult to make rapid and sustainable changes, said Farhan.
“Community participation in these areas does not exist and this is what we are trying to change,” he added.
The floor opened for questions and suggestions, allowing city planners and former government employees to speak. “The government is not interested in developing the city so we face these problems again and again,” said Sindh government’s former director planning, Shah Misbah. He also pointed out flaws in the Happy Goth plan, reminding the NGO to make sure the project is practical. “Only an NGO can present such a model and ensure it follows through,” assured Farhan.
Other planners also criticised the plan for its impracticality. “It sounds good on paper but it needs to be implemented to bring any real changes for the development of these areas. What about the funding and who will support the project?” questioned a critic. The law and order situation in the area also posed as a serious threat, which is being “conveniently ignored”.
At the moment, the model raises more questions than it answers at the moment.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2011.
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