Islamabad Can No Longer Afford to Have Big Bungalows | Ahsan Iqbal Directs Chairman CDA to Promote Vertical Housing in Islamabad

Islamabad: In a significant move towards sustainable urban development, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, directed Chairman CDA to initiate vertical housing projects in Islamabad to discourage construction of big bungalows that occupy multiple acres of horizontal land.

He gave these instructions while chairing a progress review meeting with members of Public Private Partnership Authority and relevant ministries on Tuesday. Following Prime Minister’s directives to identify all state properties and pool them under public private partnership model for better utilization, he instructed Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to table and implement a policy framework for high-rise housing in the city’s sectors.

“Pakistan cannot afford to continue expanding horizontally to meet residential and commercial needs,” said Minister Ahsan Iqbal. “We must prioritize vertical housing to protect our green spaces, ensure food security, and provide affordable housing for all, especially the deprived segments of our society.”

The Minister emphasized that vertical housing and commercial activities will not only make housing more affordable but also safeguard the environment and food security. He directed the Chairman CDA to study leading metropolises like Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, and Shanghai to learn from their best practices and incorporate them into the Islamabad plan.

The Minister directed the Chairman CDA to table a policy framework on vertical housing as soon as possible, which can later be modeled across the country.

This initiative would mark a significant shift towards sustainable urban development in Pakistan, prioritizing the needs of the people and the environment, maintained Ahsan Iqbal.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also directed Chairman CDA to build a modern state-of-the-art National Library. He emphasized on holding an international competition of architects to deliver an innovative concept of a modern library to be set up in Islamabad. “The library must serve as an ideal public space where youth can not only learn and grow but also engage in healthy debates, which will gradually help to reduce polarization in the society,” the Minister said.