Absence of urban planning

A staggering 12m people living in vulnerable informal settlements and 550 storm-water drains

In an unexpected turn of events, slum dwellers of the Manzoor Colony settlement in Karachi have managed to cease the demolition of thousands of their homes after teaming up with NGOs to map out the drainage network of the area. The fact that they eventually came up with their own conclusion — if the drainage system was properly cleaned and efficiently maintained, the threat of monsoon flooding would be averted — indicates two things in particular: the common man does possess the capability of action and understanding, and that they are willing to work with the relevant people to secure their livelihood.

However, it also begs the question: why did the authorities decide to demolish thousands of houses when a simple flood risk mapping project revealed that at most 40 homes needed to be removed to leave the drains clear? This not only points towards negligence and inefficiency on the part of the government but also highlights the importance of urban planning when dealing with the mega city. With a staggering 12 million people living in vulnerable informal settlements and 550 storm-water drains blocked by illegal construction and waste, planning and strategy becomes central for governance and growth. Karachi is slowly becoming unlivable. Therefore, city management, governance and institutional capacity, and municipal service delivery need to be radically restructured to become sustainable and inclusive. Apart from that, there is a desperate need for a disaster management system to make the city more resilient.

The beautiful mess that is Karachi needs to be redesigned, piece by piece, by focusing on three pivotal sectors: transportation, dispensation of water and electricity, and the proper disposal of municipal solid waste. Development must cater to the needs of the majority which consists of mostly lower-income and lower middle-income groups. Citizens, welfare organisations and relevant officials must collaborate in order to transform Karachi into a livable and competitive mega city for all.

 

 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2021.

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