December, 2015

“Compact City Planning is the Approach to Social Sustainability in Urban Pakistan”

PRESENTER: Ramisa Shafqat

Abstract:

o Contemporary Pakistan is facing threats of rapid urbanization, terrorism, climate change, informal settlements, social stratification, global reliance and extinction of resources. These challenges are making our cities less sustainable and more chaotic.

o Compact city approach aims to facilitate sustainable urbanism by densification of built environment and intensification of activities within a city in a systemic way which reduces chaos and inculcates clarity by good urban management, intelligently implemented planning policies and efficient urban design.

o The research argues that this approach is apt to the cultural ambience of Pakistan and is the answer to the social urban challenges. Therefore, the research draws on the parallel traits of compact city approach and traditional urban communities of this region.

o Research findings stipulates that the compact city ideology celebrates the same traditions of well knitted society, interactive community, intense activity zones and living in close proximity which are evident from the built environment of our old cities; within the parameters of sustainability.

o Thus, in order to holistically establish sustainable livability in the cities of Pakistan the need to draw common grounds between sustainability principles and traditional cultures is essential.

Introduction: Globalization has taken the reign of development and urbanization is considered the

key to socio-economic and political burgeoning

The ‘global south’ entails a vast variety and diversity in itself which is in the process of rapid urban transformation, as since 2008 more than 50% of the world’s population started living in the cities.

95% of the final built out of urbanization will be taking place in the developing world (Davis, 2006)

Traditional cities of the global south are often characterized by higher density inner

core and peripheral sprawl, similar to most of the traditional cities of Pakistan.

Overcrowding and congestion are the issues which may crop up due to improperly managed compaction or organic development.

Modernist new towns built on a grid structure and continuous low density development such as the Federal capital of Pakistan, Islamabad is another example of Pakistani urbanism.

Discuss the challenges of traditional compact urbanism and the opportunities they entailed in terms of livelihood, culture, social uniformity, vigilance and community participation

Highlight the need of consciously instilling sustainable strategies in our urbanism to avoid environmental degradation and future uncertainties.

Underpin the overlapping aspects of compact city approach and traditional urbanism and will define the parameter to maintain sustainable and culturally sensitive urban fabric in Pakistan

Conclusion will stipulate the findings of the research and state recommendations to revive traditional urban character of Pakistani cities instead of implementing Euro-American ideologies of sustainable cities into our local context (Roy, 2009).

Structure of Research:

The traditional urbanism of the Subcontinent is very ancient; rich customs of Indus valley civilization, 3300–1300 BC to efficient and intelligent city planning of Mohenjo daro, 2500 BC (Bharne, 2013).

Traditional urban character has always assimilated the norms, value and culture of the region. With the passage of time diversity increased in these folk cultures as every invasion, every

religion and every trade brought new ideas and social value with it. By the reign of Mughal Empire the traditional urbanism was rich with Persian, Arabic, Indian

etc cultures which amalgamated to give a unique character to the built environment of Sub-continent (Galantay, 1975).

The advent of British Raj brought notion of new towns in form of cantonment and garrisons which were distinct from their surroundings and symbolized the city planning strategies of the European world.

Policy making decisions were done in isolation, without public participation and also without local cultural influence After the emergence of Pakistan as a separate country, the influence of Euro-American ideologies persisted; in fact increased with globalization, modernization and technological advancement.

Urbanism of Sub-continent, Pakistan: Background

Narrow streets, close proximity of houses, mixed use buildings with shops on the ground floor and house on the upper are few characteristic of traditional streetscape.

This kind of environment facilitates social equity, community building and participation, strengthens relationships within the neighborhood and created a healthy society at large.

Interactive environment flourishes micro economies in the city and creates a social bondage which seems to be diminishing in modernist urban landscape.

Jane Jacobs (1961) while criticizing Le Corbusier on planning of Chandigarh, India as a modernist city, states that decongestion is not the answer to urban planning for Indian culture where people socially prefer to live in close proximity with each other.

However, the traditional cities of the Pakistan are not sustainable and have manifold issues as following, which needs to be addressed without eliminating the cultural essence of the region (Kaji et al, 2003).

I. Constant influx of inhabitants creates high density core and peripheral sprawl

II. Squatter settlements and environmental degradation III. Incremental development, encroachments & breach of bylaws IV. Urban management and planning issues V. Poor infrastructure VI. Traffic congestion

Urbanism of Sub-continent, Pakistan: Traditional Cities

Modernist cities are based on division of land use such as residential, commercial etc. It functions on the basis of transport network mainly automobile commuting; this gave rise

to sprawl and creation of informal squatter settlements which are not assimilated into the urban fabric of segregated and gentrified environment(Zillman,1998).

This legacy of modernist low density suburban planning have been conflicting with the density pattern of traditional Asian cities

Urban sprawl and parcels of development are an active medium of development in this region has surrounded cities from all sides.

The following aspects are few issues of modernist new towns and gated communities in the Pakistan (Shafqat, 2013)

I. Centralized decision making process and market led economy. II. Unsustainable transport leading to economic and ecological concerns III. Low density development leading to unsustainable growth patterns of urban sprawl

and encroachment of agricultural land IV. Micro-economic concerns and social stratification V. Tension between formal and informal settlement (sector) VI. Lack of local cultural and social environment VII. Polarization of development and difficulty in urban management (& governance)

Urbanism of Sub-continent, Pakistan: Modernist cities and Gated Communities

The traditional aspects of compaction and modernist approach of strategic and systematic urban policy implementation within the city is what sustainable development aims at. Thus, the compact urban form exemplified a mode to achieve a process-oriented development by means of consultation and inclusion of the informal dwellers, utilization of local skills, mixed use, self regulation monitored by effective urban governance and management.

Research Findings:

At the turn of the previous century, the importance of sustainable development was highlighted and the focus of planners, theoretician and urban designers was shifted towards ecological viability of the urban environment.

The Brundtland Commission states that sustainable development aims at not to compromise on the needs of our future generation for our own needs (WCED, 1987).

It was refined that sustainability comprised of three integral dimensions; social, economical and ecological (Ekins, 2000).

However, social sustainability aspects have been considered least important (Cuthill, 2009)

The research argues that social and cultural values are the binding agents of a city; they formulate the character of the city and should be given equal importance while proposing a sustainable strategy

(Bryant & Granjon, 2012).

Sustainable Development Paradigm

Compact city approach is an effective and efficient sustainable development strategy.

This strategy aimed at conservation of resources (land, transportation cost, infrastructure etc.) and revitalization of the inner core of the city by systematic and calculative densification which is effectively implemented.

The compact city approach by definition is “to increase built area and residential population densities, to intensify urban economic, social and cultural activities and to manipulate urban size, form and structure and settlement systems in pursuit of the environmental, social and global sustainability benefits derived from the concentration of urban functions” (Mike &

Burgess, 2000, pg-9)

Compact city approach is not merely concerned with intensification of activities and densification of built environment rather it conveys a way of living and functionality of the city.

Compact city as sustainable urban form

• Cities of Pakistan are facing issues of constant uncontrolled growth due to rural to urban migration.

• Compaction is the solution to curtail this spread out of cities which is usurping agricultural land, creating transportation and commuting issues due to long distances within the city.

• Concentrated infrastructure development in a specific boundary which will be more financially viable.

• The compact city approach will revive the cultural and social character of Pakistani cities.

• People living in close proximity and in a mixed used environment are more likely to interact and communicate with each other. Spread out planning has also created distances amongst people leading to social stratification problems.

• This strategy is essential especially in the region which has history of people living in a closely knit community of “Mohala” (neighborhood) and having a routine of evening discussions on various topics at “Churaha” (public squares).

• Thus, instead of introducing a suburban planning concept, it is feasible to propose a sustainable solution which is in line with the cultural legacy of the region.

Compact city and Pakistan

COMPACT CITY

TRADITIONAL CITY

• Mass transit system is the most viable solution for future transportation, as population is increasing at a drastic rate and reliance on private vehicles will only increase traffic issues and congestion. Compact city design can facilitate sustainable modes of transportation (such as cycling, walking etc) which were traditionally used in Pakistan (Syeda & Imran, 2012)

• Due to close proximity, self-surveillance by the community member is easily possible as Jane Jacobs (1961) explains in the concept of “eyes on the street” for community to take responsibility of their safety themselves.

• Interactive environment and mixed used community will provide many employment opportunities, flourish micro-economy, curtail poverty and reduce gentrification.

• Such diverse community will become more tolerant and liberal in the long run. • However, this approach needs to face manifold challenges in order to be effectively

implemented

I. Lack of institutional capacity building, political interference and governance problems. II. Absence of strong leadership for policy implementation Kaji et al (2003)

III. Rapid urbanization, incremental growth pattern and fast rate of population increase. IV. Decongestion of and renewal of urban core area is also a challenge which are very

crowded and unsystematically constructed on ad-hoc basis.

Compact city and Pakistan

Conclusion: The research concludes that the compact city approach is a sustainable urban design strategy for the second tier towns of Pakistan. This approach intends to create social equity and cultural revival which is essential for a region which has rich legacy of social, cultural, architectural, linguistic and folk heritage. However, it is difficult to implement this policy in the existing megacities of Pakistan, which are already crowded and transforming its morphology at a very drastic rate. The new town and second tier existing towns should be improvised according to the sustainable principles and compact city approach is quite apt for this region.

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Thank You