FAISALABAD:
The district design and planning committee has approved the Faisalabad Peri-Urban Structure Plan 2035 at a meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner Nasim Nawaz.
Urban Unit consultant Nadim Khurshid gave a presentation on various components of the peri-urban structure plan.
The project includes shifting of industries from residential areas and ensuring a pollution-free environment in industrial zones and around the city.
A metro bus service would be launched covering major parts of the city would be launched. It will also be linked to rural areas.
The plan envisages a separate enclave for educational institutions, especially universities and technical training institutes.
The plan also provides for energy units powered by coal and gas. Sites have been identified for them. Various sites were earmarked for recreational activities including parks, fun lands, a zoo.
Khurshid said the plan envisioned sustainable development in peri-urban areas of the city for 20 years.
He said it would balance housing, social and economic needs of residents and would address affordability and accessibility in a sustainable manner.
He said three major issues had been addressed in the plan; land use for peri-urban areas, zoning maps and road networks.
He said the plan would help the city government identify rationalised and zoned land supply to accommodate targeted population growth. He said the plan would also conserve environmental resources and arable lands.
DCO Noorul Amin Mengal said M3 Industrial Estate and Value Addition City proposed in the plan had great potential for industrial growth.
He said agriculture land was available for crops like sugarcane, wheat, cotton, maize and rice. The DCO said M-3 and M-4 were providing a route for trade and inter-city communication. He said Faisalabad was likely to act as a regional trade and transit hub linking Gwader to the northern parts of the country.
He said 16 institutes were planned for training men and women in various trades.
The DCO said upgrading the irrigation system was essential for food security of the city.
“Faisalabad is connected through rail and road links with Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi. Motorway M4 will open up greater trade,” he added. He said various government departments and agencies had been consulted to devise the plan.
He said feedback had also been taken from the general public.
After approving the plan, the divisional commissioner said that it would help open new avenues for development in Faisalabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 14th, 2014.
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