The urban centers have forever shaped the national economic trajectory and have contributed extensively to the branding of Pakistan. City planning is essential because it creates the framework for sustainable urban development that balances economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection.

Through thoughtful planning, cities optimize infrastructure investments, prevent haphazard sprawl, and create spaces that enhance residents’ quality of life.

Good planning addresses transportation networks, housing needs, and access to essential services on the one hand, and preserves green spaces and cultural heritage on the other. Take the planning out, and cities face increased pollution, traffic congestion, inadequate housing, and strained public resources – problems that become exponentially more expensive to fix retroactively.

Islamabad, once declared to be one of the top ten most beautiful capitals of the world, on the basis of green areas, population density, planning, infrastructure, and mountain views, is fast becoming a massive, unplanned metropolis. The fault lies with the flawed strategy of the Capital Development Authority (CDA). I have been sharing this concern for quite some time and feel that we may just find ourselves at the point of no return if the issue is not urgently addressed and rectified with a sustainable policy and a workable plan.

The random, ad hoc planning of Karachi was painful enough; Islamabad’s situation added to it is something I had perhaps not bargained........

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