S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 0 The Urban Newsletter Consu ltativ e Meeting on Redevelo pment of Flood Affect ed Urban Areas held at The Urban Unit on August 21 2010 st Urban Redevelopment: Issues, Policy & Strategies Dr. Nasir Javed Fl oo ds 2010 ha ve affected at leas t 13 dist ri cts in Punjab, with a total popu lation of around 5 million dire ctly aff ecte d. These flood affe cted areas inclu de urban settlements and villages, (exact numbers beingassessed). We clearly outline the objectives of the session. There are numerous iss ues reg ard ing red eve lop men t that need urgent attention. The first stage would include a series of workshops / seminars and discussions on the subject. Advice co llected from such activities woul d he lp the Gove rnme nt in the Rede ve lopment Pha se whi le sup por tin g improv ed and ef fic ien t re development. Formation ofa focus group / advisory council for the technical support of the Government wou ld improve the rede velo pmen t pro cess . W e expe ct these exerc ises to prov ide clea r polic y guid elines forredevelopment phase, helping the government in identifying priority actions, which are in line with the lo ng -term pl anni ng and pr op ose in stitutional re de ve lopment. W e also s ugge st the us e of GIS & re mo te sens in g for da ta ve ri fi ca ti on an d da ma ge assessment. As a precursor & part of the redevelopment process issues of redevelopment should be prioritized. There is lik ely to be ma ssi ve mi gra ti on to lar ge ur ban centers, informal settlements increasing joblessness & cr imes putt ing pr es sure on the al re ad y crumbl in g systems. The question to ask is how to prevent or address this issue keeping in mind that redevelopment faces this ma ssive scal e. Objectives Issues of Redevelopment Expected Outcomes Initiate a series of workshops / seminars and discussions on the subject Help the government in the efficient execution of the redevelopment phase Form a focus group / advisory council for the technical support of the government machinery that would be carrying out redevelopment There is likely to be massive migration to large urban centers Informal settlements Joblessnes s & Crimes Pressure on the already crumbling systems A clear polic y guideline which would ensur e better redevelopment Helping the Government in identifying priority actions, which are in line with long-term planning Proposing institutional redevelopment which would reduce rapid migration to large cities the I s s u e: 7 V o l : V
Floods 2010 have affected at least 13 districts inPunjab, with a total popu lation of around 5 milliondirectly affected. These flood affected areas includeurban settlements and villages, (exact numbers being assessed) .
We clearly outline the objectives of the session. Thereare numerous issues regarding redevelopment thatneed urgent attention. The first stage would includea series of workshops / seminars and discussions onthe subject. Advice co llected from such activities
would help the Government in the RedevelopmentPhase while supporting improved and efficient redevelopment. Formation of a focus group / advisorycouncil for the technical support of the Governmentwould improve the redevelopment process. We expectthese exercises to provide clear policy guidelines for
redevelopment phase, he lping the government inidentifying priority actions, which are in line with thelong-term planning and propose institutional redevelopment. We also suggest the use of GIS &remote sensing for data verification and damageassessment.
As a precursor & part of the redevelopment processissues of redevelopment should be prioritized. Thereis likely to be massive migration to large urbancenters, informal settlements increasing joblessness &crimes putting pressure on the already crumblingsystems. The question to ask is how to prevent or addressthis issue keeping in mind that redevelopment faces thismassive scale.
Objectives
Issues of Redevelopment
Expected Outcomes
Initiate a series of workshops / seminars anddiscussions on the subject
Help the government in the efficient executionof the redevelopment phase
Form a focus group / advisory council for thetechnical support of the governmentmachinery that would be carrying outredevelopment
There is likely to be massive migration tolarge urban centers
Informal settlements
Joblessness & Crimes
Pressure on the already crumbling systems
A clear policy guideline which would ensurebetter redevelopment
Helping the Government in identifyingpriority actions, which are in line withlong-term planning
Proposing institutional redevelopment whichwould reduce rapid migration to large cities
A Critical Path AnalysisThinking phasePolicy phaseStrategy phasePlanning phaseConsultancyApprovals
ContractingImplementation
Quality of Urban PlanningHoping to rebuild same cities withbetter planning, better protection andbetter services
Replacing the previous infrastructure witha more efficient setup
Community involvement should beprioritized
What activitiescan be carried out
concurrently
}
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During the redevelopment phase, redevelopment of humansettlements is the most crucial phase. How we carry out thisphase is going to determine the long-term sustainability of millions of people.
We hope that Punjab has the
potential to take a lead in this effort and come up with asound redevelopment plan and strategies that address,most,ifnotalloftheissueswearelikelytoface.
requires rebuildinginstitutions where more focus should be placed upon urbanmanagement & water services, livestock development,vocational and handicraft training centers. Institutions that
need redevelopment should include urban planning, water supply, sewerage & drainage, solid waste management,road network, public parks and public spaces, street lightand traffic signals, schools andhospitals.
F2010 provides us with an opportunity to reflect on theperformance of our urban institutions that may be
redesigned in line with the requirements PHED, PHATA,
TMAs, DGs etc.
Thispath includes the thinking phase, the policy phase, thestrategy phase, the planning phase, consultancy, approvals,contracting and implementation. How to speed up theprocess is extremely crucial. Almost all the flood affectedareas’ people would have lost their livelihood so we mustcreate job opportunities. We need to rehabilitate themeconomically, as early as possible. For that we must beplanning NOW.
Redevelopment should not only concentrate oninfrastructure but also support services, livelihood and institutional redevelopment.
Institutional redevelopment
The urban technical advisory council should provide a procedural guideline for following thecritical path if we hope to achieveconcurrent actions.
Technical Expertise AssistanceGetting support from GeographicalfromInformation Systems
We can use the GIS system for accuratedamage assessmentU GIS & i f dUse & remote sensing for dataverification
We can use the GIS system and capacitytowards better urban planning
Technical SupportWe can use our contacts to develop a groupof national and international professionals(expatriates) who can provide technical(support in the URD phase
Website for dissemination of information
A blog for discussion and debate, purelyfocusing on urban redevelopment in F2010areas.
We can use our contacts to develop a group of national andinternational professionals (expatriate Pakistanis) whowhile residing in different counties can provide technicalsupport in the urban redevelopment phase. A website for dissemination of information, and a blog for discussion anddebate should be launched purely focusing on urbanredevelopment (URD) in F2010 areas. Regular meetingsand brainstorming / planning sessions and voluntary / oncost / commercial support for the institutions towardsredevelopment should be encouraged.
Some questions that we need to ask ourselves in this earlystage are: Do we plan to use the existing institutions?
Including PC2,PC1, DDSC, PDWP, CDWP etc, PPRA Rules, Techsanctions, etc, Audit Rules & AG office?
Do we really think this is anemergency and suspend these business processes for 2-3years in order to redevelop some efficient tools andtechniques for efficiency, transparency and accountability?
The big picture should include a comprehensive plan for redevelopment of these areas and needs to be drawn by theDisaster Management Authority. This should include allinfrastructure and services to be provided, along with time
lines and cost estimates. Different agencies may beassigned the responsibility of doing this work. We need asystem that hasa balance between uniformityanddiversity.
During this redevelopment process, we need to consider thequality of urban planning. We can ask ourselves:
Are we just replacing the infrastructure or developing a different set up? How can we counter elitecapture? How can we make these areas better protectedagainst futuredisasters?
Do weneed to follow the same business process?
Do we have the
courage to be innovative?
We can all perform better keeping the big picture in mind.
Do weplan to rebuild cities better planned, better served and better protected?
GIS Image Showing Flood affected Areas in Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur
Helping the government draw a clearroadmap for the URD phase
Providing continuous support to thegovernment in course correction during thephase
Aiming for a more inclusive and collaborativei d l hinterdepartmental approac
I s s u e : 7
V o l : V
SEPTEMBER 2 nd 2010
The Urban Unit and Centre for Public Policy and Governance, FCCollege University are jointly organizing a half day seminar on“Policy and Strategy of Redevelopment of Urban Areas” on 2nd
September, 2010 at FC College University, Lahore
For urban planning we can develop a prototype VillageDesign: A model village which can also be called a small /Micro Urban Center. Towns can be redeveloped as citiesand villages can be redeveloped as towns. We can startimmediately by conducting studies that would be requiredto plan these cities. We can start procurement of theseconsultancies, so that work starts as soon as possible after the flood waters are lowered.
Private sector has developed a very good capacity in theurban sector. Some of the housing societies developed andmanaged by the private sector are almost cities. Thegovernment can and should use this capacity in theredevelopment phase. In fact, entire villages and smallcities can be developed by these builders / developers as a“BOT” project. In many cases where there are medium tolarge donors, this mechanism would add to the quality,speedand transparency.
We need to draw a clear roadmap for the URD phase. Weshould be committed to providing continuous support incourse correction during this phase and we should be awarethat there shall be issues (institutional, interpersonal,professional, etc).
During this process, we canuse the GIS system’s capacity towards the best advantageof urban planning.
‐ For better flood management, flood channels should be created for allurban settlements. These flood channels should be then connected tolakes where flood water can be stored.
‐ Reconstruction should be restricted in flood prone areas.‐ Storm water drainage systems should be separated from regular city
sewerage systems‐ Comparative studies should be carried out which direct new areas for redevelopment and reconstruction.
‐ A flood rehabilitation authority should be created on the pattern of ERRA.‐ The new flood management system should be coded. Existing codes should extend to disaster
and risk prone areas. The new codes should also include rural settlements.‐ Holistic planning should be followed. Strategies should be framed on regional planning. Regional
plans should be prepared at theprovinciallevel‐
In order to prevent urban fallout, camps of IDP’s should be guarded and should bestrictly followed in order to discourage the build up of unplanned kachi abadies.
Prof. Dr Shabih-ul-Hassan Zaidi, Professor CRP Dept., UET Lahore
‐ Historical records of floods should be viewed for better assessment of river level increase. This historical data will help us in stoppingresettlements on flood vulnerable river beds.
Mr. Abdul Qayum Sheikh, Director Metropolitan Planning, LDA
Participants’ Viewpoints
motivated so that they can be involved in the
we went wrong: what was it that we did not
increase cost. As the situation worsens, moredevelopment. Also, if we do not act fast, more
Mr. Ahmad Masood, Senior Urban Planner, NESPAK ‐ Flood victims should be
rehabilitation activities.‐ It is important to see where
do before the flood?‐ Delaying processes will
funds willbe needed for lives could be at risk. Thus speed of development is important.
‐ Highly appreciated the initiative taken by the urban unit‐
Emphasized more on strengthened long term planning‐ GIS systems are very impressive and need to build up more for planningand development.
‐ The process of migration is important therefore demanding carefulhandling. Localcommunities should be involved and big cities should be prepared.
‐ The government’s role as a facilitator to the donors and developers is an excellent idea and w produce great results
‐ The proposed advisory group maybe develop as a permanent setup for ‐ Schools and educational institutions should be involved. NCA,UET etcin the advisory as well asdevelopment efforts.
Mr. M. Aslam Mughal, President, IPP:
‐ Ravi and Sutlej rivers are dry throughout the year. Channelization of
‐ A study of previous floods should be consulted. Such an exercise wouldhelp in determining the change in the course of the water especially with
‐ Common property (Shamilaat-e-Deh) usually develops in a haphazardmanner, therefore standard plotting should be followed in villages.
‐ Policies should be made for entire districts which will in turn make the process of policy
water from other rivers
dissemation easier and affective.
into these rivers should beconsidered during
‐ Corporate
flood season.
farming should be encouraged. Models of corporate farmingare available at Board of Revenue.
Mr. Riaz Ahmad, Deputy Secretary (Housing), HUD & PHED
new infrastructure like motor way.
future advice as well.
Mr. Badar Khushnood, Pakistani Country Consultant, Google INC.:
Map making potential in Pakistanis, local and abroad, should be tapped.‐Lahore is the fastest map city in the world. (It was mapped within 24 hours‐
mostly with the help of local people and students).
Google archived images can help to study the pre and post flood situations.‐
‐ During rehabilitation, villages should be reclassified. This reclassificationshould be based on identifying damages based on two to three genericgroups that would help redevelopment
‐ Urgent mechanisms to take people back from where they have beendisplaced. As soon as the water recedes, agriculture can happenimmediately. Our idea of model village will take time, requiring us tocome up with temporary settlements. This will require a differentapproach and we need to think about that.
‐ The biggest strength is self help. A participative spirit should be motivated and harnessed.‐ A model village should be developed as early as possible and shown on media.‐ One of the major fears is that the floods have been caused by Global Warming as it implies that such
natural hazards may take place again earlier than expected. We should develop long term strategiessuch building channels or dams.
‐ There has to be a regulatory framework that overcomes the problem of malpractices that take place in relief works.
M. Arshad Ch., Architect & CEO, Eden Builders (Pvt.)
‐ The details of this meeting should be shared with others in order tocreate awareness about the different aspects of the redevelopment process.
‐ GIS should be used for damage assessment.‐ The model villages’ concept should be launched immediately.‐ In order to effectively deal with the situation at hand, networking with all stakeholders / agencies
is crucial.‐ Data should be collected from different sources and well investigated so that the magnitude of redevelopment can be determined.
‐ University students should be involved in this process of redevelopment,
Prof. Dr. Ghulam Abbas Anjum, Chairman CRP Dept., UET Lahore
‐ Private sector should be fully involved in the redevelopment work.
as they are reasonably skilled and willing to contribute.
