Pakistan is experiencing rapid urbanization, with projections suggesting that nearly half of its population will reside in urban areas by 2025. However, this urban growth is not being met with corresponding development.
Issues such as inadequate planning, mismanagement, insufficient municipal services, lack of affordable housing, and substandard infrastructure are hindering economic growth and environmental sustainability in Pakistani cities. Recognizing the complexity of urban systems, the UN-Habitat has been supporting city administrations and local governments to enhance the sustainability and resilience of cities in Pakistan through implementation of SDG 11.
This was stated in a two-day training program focused on Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG-11) and localization for 2030 Agenda. It was hosted by the United Nations Habitat Programme (UN-Habitat) in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Islamabad at the Jinnah Convention Center.
Ms Mio Sato, Acting UN Resident Coordinator, highlighted in her remarks, “The localization of SDG-11 is crucial for Pakistan’s urban future, ensuring that cities like Islamabad can achieve inclusive and sustainable growth.” Ms. Ammara Durrani, Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP emphasized on inclusión of secondary cities in the capacity building initiatives. She said that UNDP is committed to join hands with UN Habitat under One UN framework through their SDG Plus programme. Dr. Zafar Ali Zafar, Director General Trainings at CDA, underscored CDA’s commitment, stating, “We are dedicated to aligning every facet of our city planning with SDG-11 goals, ensuring Islamabad’s development is both sustainable and resilient. The inaugural session was attended by senior government representtaives and 50 officers from CDA, ICT also participated.
Mr. Martino Miraglia, Coordinator, SDG Localization, Local Government Teams and SDG Cities, UN-Habitat and Mr. Riccardo Maroso, Programme Officer, UN-Habitat ROAP presented on SDG localization and Voluntary Local Review. The global movement of Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) is growing exponentially. Cities, local and regional governments worldwide are using VLRs to track and report on SDG progress. UN-Habitat views VLRs as powerful accelerators of the process of localizing the Sustainable Development Goals. UN-Habitat leads the development of cutting-edge research and guidance on VLRs and provides opportunities for peer learning, capacity building and international engagement.
The training underscored a concerted effort by UN-Habitat and CDA to equip Pakistani cities, starting with Islamabad, with the tools and knowledge necessary to achieve sustainable urban development goals. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) of Islamabad, responsible for implementing the Islamabad Master Plan, has committed to aligning all its projects with SDG-11 by 2030. To achieve this, CDA has established an SDG-11 cell within its Planning Wing to strengthen existing regulations in accordance with global best practices and build capacity at institutional level with the support of UN-Habitat.
The participants during trainings underlined that Local and regional governments (LRGs) drive territories’ and local communities’ sustainable development paths. They ensure the delivery of essential public services and act as catalysts for transformative change. Nevertheless, LRGs face critical gaps in terms of data, capacities, and resources to deliver on this mandate. Investing in municipal capacity building, institutional efficiency, and partnerships with local, regional, national and international stakeholders is crucial for localizing the SDG.
Ch Muhammad Ali Randhawa, Chairman CDA in his keynote address in the concluding session appreciated UN-HABITAT for their technical support to CDA regarding creating awareness about SDGs and alignment of CDA Projects with SDGs. He said that CDA is committed to make Islamabad inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. This training is a step forward to enhance capacity of CDA Urban Planners and indicates commitment of CDA to achieve desired targets of SDG-11.
CDA has decided to promote sustainable transport system which is affordable and accessible and provide urban mobility to all the residents of the capital and no part of the city will be left behind. This transport system is environment friendly in which 30 electric buses have been provided and 170 more buses will be added in the fleet.
CDA has launched a program to plant 4 million trees in the barren areas of Islamabad and sacrifice the brown area to increase green area so that climate change effects on the capital may be reduced and city may be made environment friendly for which 10000 kanals of land has been dedicated and will be linked with Carbon Credit. All the trees planted will have visibility on CDA Website for which CDA has launched one million trees on 22nd July on the Jewel of Islamabad i.e. Margalla Hills in 60 days.
In the end of the training session, certificates were distributed among the participants of the training program.