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Marrakesh Menara in Morocco

Airport architecture: The 12 most beautiful airports in the world

When architecture and aviation combine BY MEGAN BARBER At its worst, airport design is a confusing blend of bad carpeting and claustrophobic paneling that can leave you searching for hours for a bathroom. But a new class of airports is leaving the dark terminals of the past behind, opting instead for light-filled spaces that provide both function and inspiration. High-design airports are now scattered throughout the world, with big-time design firms like Foster + Partners, SOM, and Grimshaw tackling head-on the challenge of moving millions of people through spaces that need to be more secure than ever. And the trend of better airport architecture isn’t slowing. Huge airport projects currently under construction—like Daxing International Airport’s Zaha Hadid-designed terminal in Beijing and those in U.S. cities like New Orleans, Tampa, Orlando, and Los Angeles—will showcase upgraded and modernized designs. To see just where airport design is headed, we’ve rounded up the 12 most beautiful airports currently operating around the world. From Denver to Mumbai to Osaka, this is architecture taken to new heights. Airport of Marrakesh Menara in Morocco Completed in 2008, the terminal extension of the Marrakech Menara Airport in Morocco—designed by Swiss Architects E2A Architecture—uses a gorgeous facade that has become a hallmark of the airport. Light filters into space by arabesques made up of 24 rhombuses and three triangles. Clad in white aluminum panels and featuring stylized Islamic ornamental designs, the structure gives the terminal a brightness that changes according to the time of day. It’s also an excellent example of how a contemporary building can incorporate traditional cultural motifs. Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport Located in the capital of Azerbaijan, the Heydar Aliyev International Airport terminal features giant wooden cocoons designed by Turkish architecture studio Autoban. Light streams in through the concave external glass walls, and each cocoon houses cafes, bars, stores, and amenities, like a children’s play area. Diamond patterns on the atrium floors mimic the wooden shingles of the cocoon. The airport can handle more than 5 million passengers each year. Denver International Airport Airport architecture in the United States often leaves much to be desired, but Denver’s fabric-covered tents are a highlight in a sea of boring design. Designed to mimic Colorado’s snow-capped Rocky Mountains, the tents look striking at any time of day—but their soft glow at sunrise and sunset is especially captivating. Recent construction added a new Westin Hotel to the airport, and travelers can also now take a train directly from the airport to downtown Denver. Madrid Barajas International Airport Located just 12 kilometers from the center of the Spanish city capital, the Barajas Airport received an upgrade in 2006 thanks to addition by architect Richard Rogers that doubled the size of the airport. The structure’s unusual wave-shaped roof is supported by central “trees” that punctuate the roof to provide natural light throughout the upper level of the terminal. Bright reds and yellows offer a welcome departure from the standard gray and white used in most airport color schemes, and the roof also provides much-needed shade to combat Madrid’s hot summers. Kansai International Airport Opened in 1994 to relieve overcrowding at Osaka International Airport, Kansai International Airport was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano. Built on an artificial island in the Bay of Osaka, it’s the first “ocean” airport in the world and can handle 100,000 passengers a day. The extra-long terminal—the longest in the world at the time it was built—stretches 1.7 kilometers with 42 boarding gates and a large curving roof shaped like an airfoil. The structure was specifically designed to handle Japan’s frequent earthquakes, and just four months after opening, the airport survived the 6.9 Kobe earthquake with minimal damage. Beijing Capital International Airport At two miles long, Terminal 3 of the Beijing International Airport is one of the largest buildings in the world. Opened just in time for the 2008 Olympics, this structure features a striking design—created by architects Foster + Partners—that uses the traditional Chinese color scheme of red and yellow and a dragonlike form to celebrate Chinese history and culture. The terminal building and transportation center together enclose a floor area of 1.3 million square meters and were designed to accommodate 50 million passengers each year by 2020. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Mumbai’s new Terminal 2 building opened in 2014 to accommodate the city’s growing influx of visitors. A gigantic roof canopy references the form of vernacular Indian pavilions and is the centerpiece of the design. In total, 30 mushrooming columns connect to the canopy overhead, with patterns inspired in part by India’s national bird, the peacock. SOM also sought to respect the traditions of local cultures—curbside drop-off zones are “designed for large parties of accompanying well-wishers [to] accommodate traditional Indian arrival and departure ceremonies.” Kuala Lumpur International Airport One of the largest airports in Asia, the Kuala Lumpur airport, designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, incorporates an Islamic-style shading roof anchored by massive columns. The roof is also reminiscent of a common tree in the Malaysian rainforest, and the lights on the canopy represent the filtered sun that shines between leaves. Kurokawa’s “airport in the forest” design demonstrates how modern design—the shell-like roof is made with sleek stainless steel—and cultural traditions can blend together. The airport also features a series of prayer rooms throughout. Kutaisi International Airport This small airport located in Kutaisi, Georgia, was designed by the Dutch architecture firm UNStudio. The firm wanted to help passengers navigate the airport, building a bright red corner to act “as a crossing-point and point of recognition.” Large windows create a light-filled interior with views of the Caucasus Mountains, and a golden, wood-like structure in the center of the terminal provides a meeting point for passengers. Architect Ben van Berkel designed the building with a large span, open spaces, and high ceilings—a nod to the great railway stations of the past. Shenzhen Baoan International Airport The first airport project designed by the Rome-based architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas, the new Terminal 3 building at Shenzhen Baoan International Airport in China was built to look like a manta

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September 25, 2019 No Comments

DIY urban planning is happening all over the country. Is it only for white people?

Who are these pop-up parks and temporary beer gardens really meant for? Amanda Kolson Hurley is a freelance journalist in Silver Spring, Md. As part of PARK(ing) day, artists around the world transform parking spaces into public parks and other social spaces.   Last year, a group of San Diego realtors had an idea. What if they threw a “better block” party in a low-income Latino neighborhood called Barrio Logan? Maybe, they thought, it would create a buzz about the neighborhood. Maybe it would get residents outside, walking around and talking to their neighbors. The organizers put in benches and planters and closed the street for a nighttime festival. But things didn’t go the way they planned. Business owners bristled at the notion that these outsiders knew better than locals how to improve the neighborhood. “They told us they were going to help us build a better block when we’ve already been here building a better block for years,” one told the Voice of San Diego. A number of stores closed in protest, and the DJ ended up playing his set to a near-empty street. The Barrio Logan incident captures the potential, and the potential pitfalls, of “tactical urbanism,” a new movement transforming cities. Tactical urbanism — which also goes by “DIY urbanism” or “creative placemaking” — uses small, often short-term fixes (like an artistically painted intersection) to promote wider and more permanent changes to a city (like reclaiming streets for walkers and cyclists). It tries to make the most of underused urban spaces such as vacant lots and deserted plazas, often through the medium of art. There are plenty of examples in the District: The daily lineup of food trucks that turns Farragut Square into a giant outdoor lunchroom. Free jazz concerts in a neighborhood park in Petworth. The weekend widening of sidewalks on M Street in Georgetown so strollers can breathe a little easier. As cities across America undergo a revival, their denizens are bursting with practical ideas to improve their neighborhoods, and they feel empowered to try them out. This spirited flurry of “city hacking” has opened the lid on the wonky discipline of urban planning and is starting to change the fabric of people’s daily lives. But since many cities also contend with stark inequality, it’s worth asking who these fixes are intended for and how this new spirit of engaged urban citizenship can benefit everyone. The District’s director of planning, Eric Shaw, is a fan of tactical urbanism but blunt about its class and race limitations. “A lot of the approaches inherently sometimes assume a privilege in using public space and existing in public space,” he says. Shaw cites PARK(ing) Day, which turns metered parking spaces into tiny public parks one day each fall. The tradition has spread from San Francisco all over the globe, including Washington. “I’ve told my staff that PARK(ing) Day is really nice,” he says. “But if five black males took over a parking spot and had a barbecue and listened to music . . . would they last 10 minutes?” [How can you tell if someone is kind? Ask how rich they are.] The term “tactical urbanism” was coined in 2010 by city planner Mike Lydon. The field draws on the interventionist art of the 1970s, as well as much older phenomena like the chuckwagons that fed cowboys in the West and the booksellers who’ve set up stalls on the Seine for centuries. But its rise was sparked by more recent events. Starting in about 2005, a series of unrelated guerrilla projects in cities around the United States became minor sensations, thanks to their effectiveness (and the Internet). Often, these forays were born out of citizens’ frustration with the status quo and the glacial pace of local bureaucracies. In 2012, a Raleigh, N.C., graduate student named Matt Tomasulo wanted to create signs encouraging fellow residents to get out of their cars and walk, but the cost of the necessary permits and the months-long wait made him balk. So he went rogue, devising a system of cheap, detachable signs directing people to local attractions and indicating how long it would take to walk there (often not nearly as long as they believed). His project was quickly embraced by city officials. Next, Tomasulo created Walk [Your City], a how-to website for those who want to post similar signs in their own cities. The templates he posted were downloaded by thousands. Now Raleigh and other cities are dotted with his signs. Tomasulo’s project is an inspiring success story. Increasingly, though, tactical urbanism is being employed by local governments themselves. In the past few months, the Montgomery County Planning Department painted a bright purple pathway through its Silver Spring, Md., parking lot to improve pedestrian safety there. Total cost: $2,500. In June, Arlington, Va., planners used tape and potted plants to make a temporary bike lane on Wilson Boulevard. What citizens might have done in the dead of night is now something government employees do in broad daylight, then proudly share with local blogs. The movement’s clearest victory in the United States so far is the taming of New York’s Times Square. On Memorial Day weekend in 2009, officials closed the square to automobiles and put out lawn chairs and orange traffic barrels, creating temporary plazas. These were a hit, and in 2010, then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that they would become permanent. In the pilot phase, the city measured less congestion in Midtown Manhattan, as well as a significant drop in injuries to both motorists and pedestrians. Foot traffic in Times Square, meanwhile, increased by 11 percent, good news for retailers. “I’ve been telling my staff, ‘Just brainstorm some ideas, and try them out,’ ” says Casey Anderson, chairman of Montgomery County’s Planning Board. “It’s fine if some of them flop. We want to be able to take some risks. These things don’t cost a lot.” [We live in Aleppo. Here’s how we survive.] Tactical urbanism challenges the assumption that cities can improve only through major spending and tortuous rounds of paperwork and approvals. It allows citizens

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August 22, 2019 No Comments

The Effects of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor on Foreign Policy of Pakistan

INTRODUCTION There is a positive correlation exists between international trade and its effects on economic growth (Afonso, 2001 and Caleb et. al., 2014). International trade acts as a major factor of openness in trade relations. In recent decades, China has emerged as a potential regional trade giant of Asia. Chinese international trade has experienced rapid expansion together with its dramatic economic growth which has made the country target the world as its market. This research discusses the role of the China-Pakistan bilateral agreement of developing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on the foreign policy of Pakistan. The CPEC project will link Kashgar (China) with the warm waters of the Indian Sea at the place of Gwadar (Pakistan). The CPEC is part of China’s vision of the “One Belt One Road” (OBOR) initiative announced by President Xi Jinping of China in 2013. This initiative comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road which subsequently became a vital foreign policy for China in many aspects, mainly with the intention of promoting economic cooperation amongst countries along the “Belt” and “Road” routes. The Silk Road Economic Belt focuses on connecting China to Europe through Central Asia and Russia, the Persian Gulf through Central Asia and South East Asia, South Asia, and the Indian Ocean. The paper reviews the conception as well as the evolution of China’s international trade regime and the policy that China has taken in favor of trade sectors and how it is related to Pakistan. In addition, China’s international trade performance is analyzed extensively. This research then evaluates the effects of international trade on Pakistan’s economic growth through examining improvement in productivity as an expected result of the CPEC and then linking this bilateral agreement with the foreign policy of Pakistan. Policy implications are drawn from the empirical results accordingly. PROBLEM STATEMENT China’s international trade has experienced rapid expansion together with its dramatic economic growth which has made the country target the world as its market. The stable political system, vast natural resources, and abundant skilled labor in China have made it a modern global factory. Discussions of the role that international trade plays in promoting economic growth and productivity, in particular, have been ongoing since several decades ago. A core finding from the comprehensive literature shows that internationally active countries tend to be more productive than countries that only produce for the domestic market. Due to liberalization and globalization, a country’s economy has become much more closely associated with external factors such as openness. Thus, conducting a study on the effects of international trade on foreign policy is of great significance in this globalized era. It helps policymakers map out appropriate policies by determining the policy impacts and how to improve the trade relations to have a cordial foreign policy. China’s integration into the global economy has largely contributed to its sustained economic growth. The recent CPEC agreement between the government of Pakistan and China is one of China’s penetration in the global economy. Both of the governments are adamant that CPEC will boost not only the international trade of China and Pakistan but will also improve diplomatic relations. As Small (2015) argues that China has been Pakistan’s diplomatic protector besides the chief arms supplier and its call for last resort when every other supposed friend has left it in the lurch. This research questions that whether the foreign policy of Pakistan will be compromised in the presence of investment / Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of China or Pakistan will maintain its foreign policy independent of any G2G agreement. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The study will be done in a constructivist paradigm. Interpretivist position shall be taken for this descriptive study. It will be purely a qualitative research. My data sources are mostly secondary by consulting various federal government departments related to CPEC planning, projects execution and management. Scholarly articles and well researched books will be consulted. Since, the study covers a recent phenomenon, so my data limits exists. With the help of these data sources, research questions shall be answered. Content analysis will be used to analyze data. SCOPE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY The scope of the current study is confined to the G2G agreement on CPEC and seeks specific answers to the questions of neutrality of Pakistan’s foreign policy towards China ensuring its fundamental determinants i.e. size/geography, economic development, security, and advancement in technology, national capacity, political parties/leadership, ideology, and national interest, the role of press/bureaucracy, social structure, public opinion, and diplomacy. It is dealt with as an intensive case study model, to understand the challenges and opportunities associated with this development. The study will contribute to the existing body of knowledge and helping to improve the discourse prevalent on the issue. Moreover, certain technical issues are dealt with. Its relationship and impact on foreign policy are tried to be determined. THE GEOGRAPHY OF CPEC ROUTES The CPEC routes will pass through the strategic depth of Pakistan from north to south. Currently, three routes are identified (see Fig. 1) which culminate from Karakoram Highway (N35). The N35 is a common alignment from the China border to the Pakistani city of Hassanabdal in Punjab province. The CPEC will follow three route alignments throughout Pakistan to which the All Parties Conference agreed in May 2015. ROUTE 1 (WESTERN ALIGNMENT) The western alignment of CPEC will start from Brahma Bahtar (Punjab) to Dera Ismail Khan (KPK); DI Khan (KPK) to Zhob (Balochistan); Zhob to Quetta and finally linking Quetta to Gwadar via Kalat, Surab, Basima, Panjgur, Hoshab, and Turbat. ROUTE 2 (CENTRAL ALIGNMENT) The Central Alignment of the CPEC follows the same route as that of Western Alignment (from Burhan to DI Khan). It starts from DI Khan to Bhakar-Layyah-DG Khan; DG Khan to Shahdadkot. From Shahdadkot it connects with the Sukkur-Khuzdar section of Motorway (M8). ROUTE 3 (EASTERN ALIGNMENT) The Eastern Alignment, from Hassanabdal via Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway (M1) to Islamabad-Lahore Motorway (M2) then taking the route of Pindi Bhattian-Faislabad Motorway (M3); Faislabad-Multan Motorway (M4); Multan-Karachi

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July 6, 2019 No Comments

World Town Planning Day and Launch of the Book “National Urban Agenda of Pakistan; Policy Recommendations”

In 1949, World Town Planning Day, actually known as the international organisation for World Urbanism Day was founded by the late Professor Carlos Maria della Paolera of the University of Buenos Aires, a graduate at the Institut d’urbanisme in Paris, to advance public and professional interest in planning and to celebrate the accomplishments of planners and their contributions to their communities. Being town planners, celebrating the day dedicated to the profession has always been important as the profession is not well-known in the country and is not considered imperative enough so every year, it is celebrated at the national level with zest. It had been celebrated at NUST, UMT and LCWU in November and December 2019, organized by Gharana, IPP and Iqbal Institute of Policy Studies along with universities’ administration respectively. Town planners from all over the country took part in those events including renowned town planner Khurram Farid Bargatt (General Secretary IPP and VC Planning PCATP), Imtiaz Chandiyo (Chairman of Urban & Regional Planning Department Mehran University), Waseem Hayat Bajwa (DG Federal Government Employees Housing Authority), Dr. Tariq Mahmood (Principle of SCEE NUST), Planner Qadir Hasnain (PhD Scholar), Dr. Waheed (Chairman Urban & Regional Planning Department NUST), Taimoor ul Haq Abbasi (Director Iqbal Institute of Policy Studies) and Shafiq Akbar (CEO Gharana). Each participant had an intriguing topic to discuss and some very imperative points were highlighted through the presentations. Mr. Khurram Farid discussed New Urban Agenda, an initiative taken by the UN-Habitat and adopted by many countries except Pakistan, and launched a book in this regard to provide policy recommendations to formulate the New Urban Agenda of Pakistan. He highlighted its significance and need in the context of Pakistan and also expressed how the government can utilize the document in establishing its own policy in the context to achieve its set targets of Sustainable Development Goals.

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June 2, 2019 No Comments

Pakistan Tourism Agenda

Tourism situation in Pakistan Pakistan attracted just around two million foreign tourists in 2017. In the same duration, Turkey had a record season with 37 million foreign tourists. It is futile to compare ourselves with well-established tourist destinations like Spain (75m) and Italy (53m). China had 60 million tourists and India for the first time in its history hit the 10 million mark in 2017. Tourism has become an essential source of revenue generation. The tourism industry was responsible for 10.2% of the global GDP in 2017. In Turkey, tourism accounted for 20% of its total GDP. According to India’s tourism minister, New Delhi earned $27 billion for the year  2017 from the arrival of foreign tourists alone. According to the World Tourism and Travel Council, the direct contribution of tourism to Pakistan was only 2.7% of the GDP, which is abysmal by any standards. Terrorism and the law and order situation are the biggest impediments to the arrival of foreign tourists. The tourism industry works on brand and repute, and It seems challenging to visit a country that has high-security risks. However, it is easy to blame the lofty law and order situation for the abysmal performance of the tourism industry in Pakistan. As we see, the rate of foreign tourists was also not as encouraging even before the 9/11 incident. The problem is multi-pronged. The government and the private sector go hand in hand in the tourism industry. The government is responsible for a broader policy that lures foreign tourists to the country while the private sector pitches in to cater to tourists on the ground. Most of the tourism-related activities in Pakistan are happening on account of local tourism. There has been a steady increase in local tourism with 38.3 million local tourists reported by the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation in the last year. However, the tourism industry has even failed to cope with the influx of these local tourists. Consider going to Murree on a public holiday to enjoy the snow. One definitely will be stuck somewhere on the way. If by chance one reaches the destination, it will be an uphill task to get a reasonable room for the night with basic amenities such as warm water, good food, and heating. The aforesaid is just one of the many aspects of our ailing tourism industry. Another impediment is to get a visa to visit, Pakistan is one of the hardest countries in terms of visa approvals. The extra checks and security clearance takes a long, but on the other hand, this has triggered adverse effects on the tourism industry. The government has tried to fix this problem by announcing visa-free entry to 30 tourist-friendly countries. This visa-friendly visa issuance policy may help increase the confidence of foreign tourists. In today’s world, most foreign tourists travel through e-visa. Next, in line, the challenge is branding. Each country brands itself extensively to the world. For India, it is ‘Incredible India’ and the Taj Mahal as its face, and for Malaysia, it is ‘Malaysia Truly Asia.’ However, Pakistan has not made any such effort. Finally, for every tourist-friendly country, the most accessible transportation is essential, starting from direct air routes to intercity as well as intra-city connectivity. It is difficult to imagine a life in London without its ‘underground trains’ or connectivity in Istanbul without its tram and metro. Pakistan needs newer modes of mass transit. In this regard, the Orange Line Train in Lahore is a step in the right direction. It has suggested that other cities will also try to bring innovation to ease massive congestion on the roads. Factors influence the Tourism Hospitality Whether someone is traveling for business or pleasure, the level of customer service or Hospitality they receive on their trip will help determine whether they come back for another visit or warns their friends to avoid their trips to that country. Travelers, after all, have a ton of options when they leave home. Environmental factors A good climate is one of the most important features of attraction for any tourist place. A pleasant climate with warmth and ample sunshine attracts tourists who come from temperate and colder regions. For example, most of the seaside resorts in the U.S.A and the U.K are located in a warmer southeast. On the other hand, people from summer areas migrate to cooler regions to seek the pleasure of cold fresh environments. For instance, in India places like Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar near Mumbai, Kullu, and Manali, Shillong, Kashmir, so on are well-known for their cool and pleasant climate. Other countries with cooler climates that attract tropical tourists are Switzerland, Sweden, etc. Socio Economic Factor Accessibility: It has also assumed that all tourist centers should be easily accessible by various modes of transportation like roads, railways, air, and water. To enjoy nature’s beautiful sites seeing traveling by roads and railways is a better option. If a tourist plans to reach a remote tour-destination in the quickest possible time, then an airway is the most suitable choice. Generally, waterways are seldom selected unless a tourist decides to enjoy a luxury cruise experience in sea and interested in visiting an isolated archipelago. Accommodation: Places of tourists’ interest must be capable enough to provide reasonable accommodation and catering facilities. The type of accommodation required by tourists depends on their lives-styles, standard of living, the capacity to spend money, nature of services expected. Classification of accommodation centers (i.e., various hotels Five star to three-star, motels, dormitories) on basic of rating like five stars and below are essential so that tourists can make a proper choice and plan their trips appropriately. Generally, tourism mostly prospers in those areas where good lodging and food facilities are available at reasonable prices. It should be sure that there is a proper balance between space available for accommodation and no of tourist visit to avoid any inconvenience for the tourists Amenities: Growth of tourism at a particular place also influenced crucial factors like; how well the site

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May 26, 2019 No Comments

London’s biggest regeneration areas in 2019

     By Daisy Mason, As London grows by the day and developers move further away from central London to find areas and land perfect for redevelopment, regeneration across the capital is at an all-time high. While regeneration projects in central London are mostly small-scale, inner London and many areas that straddle inner and outer London are undergoing huge changes that weren’t visible at this scale 10 to 15 years ago. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or someone looking to secure a property with long-term growth, it can be difficult to know where to seek new investments and which areas experiencing mass regeneration are the most lucrative. So, looking ahead to next year, we’ve shortlisted the key places in London that are tipped to be the biggest regeneration areas of 2019. Wood Wharf Right now it may only be a construction site in the shadows of Canary Wharf’s tower blocks, but Wood Wharf on the Isle of Dogs will soon be occupied with luxury homes, office, and retail space, and parkland – adding a welcome flash of green among the towering contemporary buildings. Wood Wharf is one of the largest private regeneration projects currently underway in the capital, which is big news for Canary Wharf. With land prices at a premium here, this new district of Canary Wharf will be built up rather than out and the design of the luxury high-rise buildings will be lifestyle-led like many other new construction sites in London. Currently, this part of London is busy from Monday to Friday when the businesses that are located here are open, but at weekends, the area is much quieter. With the construction of over 3,000 new homes and additional residential blocks being built on the main Canary Wharf site, the area is attracting more and more homeowners looking to live here throughout the year, rather than using it as a base for business and travel. And, with new companies moving to the area, thousands of jobs will be created. Many of these will be a break from the finance sector – which dominates Canary Wharf’s commercial landscape – into more creative industries, such as technology and media. Hackney Wick It’s fair to say that Hackney Wick has been somewhat overlooked in the past. Once right on the outskirts of Bow and Hackney, it has not been seen to offer much in the way of places to go and things to do. But since the construction of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, this has all changed. Investors and developers see potential in this former industrial area, which now bridges a gap between Bow and Stratford. Old industrial buildings are being converted into high-spec apartments, new residential sites such as the Old Smokehouse and the Bagel Factory are bringing in different types of buyers, and Help to Buy is also flourishing in this neighborhood, with lots of young professionals drawn in by east London’s alternative social scene. Craft breweries pop-up restaurants and trendy bars are the future for this once-neglected corner of east London, which will be one of London’s biggest regeneration areas in 2019. Greenwich Peninsula Just south of the River Thames, North Greenwich is most well known for the O2 arena, where hundreds of thousands of entertainment fans flock each year to watch their idols in action. However, developers are about to embark on a major regeneration projection that will transform the area, so that in ten years’ time, this part of London will be totally unrecognizable. A number of striking waterside apartment buildings will sit alongside what is to be known as the Design District – aimed at showcasing budding new artists and independent brands – Brickfields film district, which will house music studios, film and production centers, and a school, as well as newly laid out parkland that will serve the more family-focused parts of the 150-acre site. There are even plans for a driving range, as well as numerous restaurants and bars. Canada Water While Canada Water is well-positioned between London Bridge and Canary Wharf, the area is predominantly residential with very little in the way of bars, cafes shops, and other amenities. But this is set to change, with plans on the verge of being granted that would transform the area. These plans will include 3,000 new homes, but a major plus point will be the creation of a new town center that will serve existing and future residents. As it stands, the neighborhood’s lack of amenities means traveling to Greenwich, London Bridge, or further afield. But a total revamp of the area will mean local residents needn’t go too far to find what they need right on their doorsteps. Regeneration plans also incorporate redevelopment of the Harmsworth Quays Printworks, either for commercial use, residential use, or both. While plans are yet to be approved for all of these major redevelopment projects, investor interest in the area is enough to suggest that this will be an area to look out for in the coming year or two. Source: https://www.foxtons.co.uk/discover/2018/12/londonas-biggest-regeneration-areas-in-2019.html

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April 9, 2019 No Comments

Federal Cabinet constituted the Federal Commission

Federal Cabinet constituted the Federal Commission under Martial Law Regulation No. 82 comprising the following members: Member Planning & Design CDA. Director-General, Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (Pak EPA), Islamabad. Director-General Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Rawalpindi. Chief (Physical Planning), Planning Commission of Pakistan. Chief Metropolitan Officer, Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad(MCI) Islamabad. Mr. Asad Mehboob Kayani, Ex-Member (Planning & Design) CDA Director (Master Planning), CDA Islamabad. Dr. Ahmed Zaib Khan, Chair, Sustainable Architecture & Urbanism, Building Architecture & Town Planning Department, Brussels School of Engineering, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels-Belgium. In pursuance of the Federal Cabinet’s decision vide case no, 690/31/2019 dated 30.07.2019 and subsequent directive of the Prime Minister of Pakistan in a meeting held on 02.08.2019, the following nine (09) additional members from the private sector are hereby notified as new Members of the Federal Commission. Mr. Khurram Farid Bargatt Chartered Town Planner, MD Shehersaaz Pvt Ltd,(Vice-Chairman, Town Planning, PCATP and General Secretary Institute of Planners, Pakistan) Mr. Nayyar Ali Dada (Architect) Mr. Naveed Aslam (Architect) Mr. Saleem Mansoor (Architect) Mr. Ali Asghar Khan Mr. Aziz Aslam (Team Leader NESPAK, Civil Engineer) Mr. Nayyab Hassan Gardezi, Lawyer Miss. Humaira Qasim Khan (Climate Change Advisor/ Environmental Specialist by Profession) Miss Asma Khalil (Economist) The Chairman CDA will act as Chairman of the Commission till such time an eminent private sector person is appointed as Chairman. Terms of reference (TOR’s) of the commission: Review of Existing Master Plan and proposals for next 20 years i.e. till 2040. Assessment of the efficacy of the existing Master Plan. Possible regularization of illegal buildings /construction done in violation of CDA Ordinance 1960, Master Plan, ICT Zoning Regulation 1992 (as amended), Islamabad Building Regulation 2005, and other relevant regulations made under CDA ordinance 1960. The Commission shall keep in view the increased private sector participation in health and education sectors and make recommendations. Proposal for the future development in short term, medium-term and long term plans. The Commission shall consider the outstanding issues of original owners/effects of katchi abadis of Islamabad and make suitable recommendations to address their grievances. The Commission may further amend the terms of reference with the approval of the Government. The Commission shall complete its work within 6 months. In pursuance of the completion of assigned tasks, the Commission will evaluate existing reports, information available on record, and all other data for them and finalize the report within one month. The Commission will also examine the problem of sewerage contamination in Korang River upstream of Rawal Dam and suggest an appropriate solution. Government departments like Planning Commission, CDA, RDA, and Pak-EPA will provide support to complete the task. The consultants shall separately develop execution and implementation plans and sub-plan for the development authority wherever required. The 13th meeting of the Federal Commission constituted to revise the masterplan of Islamabad held at CDA headquarters Islamabad: September 3, 2019:  The 13th meeting of the Federal Commission constituted to revise the masterplan of Islamabad was held at Capital Development Authority (CDA) headquarters here on Tuesday. The meeting of the Commission was convened by the Chief Commissioner Islamabad and Chairman CDA Amer Ali Ahmed. The meeting was attended by Kurram Farid Bargatt Vice-Chairman PCATP, Suleman Mansoor Architect, Naveed Aslam Architect, Ali Asgher, Nayab Hassan Gardezi renowned lawyer, Member Planning of the Authority, Director Master Planning, Director Building Control, Director Regional Planning, and other concerned officers. The commission during the meeting reviewed and discussed in detail the different recommendations regarding the revision of the master plan.

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March 16, 2019 No Comments

PM Imran calls for protecting green areas of capital

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday called for protecting green areas of Islamabad and directed the Capital Development Authority to complete the new building bylaws soon. He was chairing a meeting with the proposed new members of the commission, which is supposed to carry out a revision of the Islamabad master plan. He said that revision of the master plan should be made in accordance with the present-day needs. He said that increase in population and protection of green areas should be kept in view while revising the master plan. The meeting noted that unauthorized constructions and unplanned growth of the city had been creating environmental and administrative issues. Wants revision of masterplan in line with present-day needs. “In past, growth of population, unplanned growth of city and administrative issues remained neglected, which resulted in the mushroom growth of unplanned buildings and reduction of green areas,” according to an official handout issued by the PM office after the meeting. The handout quoted the prime minister as saying that climate change and the environment were major issues of the country, which needed the attention of the government. The participants were told that steps were being taken to provide better housing facilities to the slum dwellers of Islamabad. CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed briefed the prime minister about the progress made by the commission so far. A few days ago, the federal government had decided to extend the deadline for the commission formed in December last for revising the master plan. The 12-member commission had prepared a 270-page report, which is currently being consolidated. A few days ago, CDA and the ministry of interior in a summary had proposed changes in the commission, proposing deletion of four names of experts and addition of nine new names. However, the federal cabinet in its last meeting did not decide fate of the said summary as the prime minister had decided that before giving approval to the summary he wanted to hold a meeting with the new members proposed for the commission. The Friday’s meeting was held in line with the said decision of the premier. In the said summary, the CDA wanted that names of Syed Ayub Qutab, Javed Ali Khan, Jehangir Khan Sherpao and Abdul Haleem Paracha should be removed. It had also suggested addition of new members such as renowned architect Nayyar Ali Dada, Ali Asghar Khan, Aziz Aslam, Khurram Fareed Bargatt, Nayyab Hassan Gardazi (lawyer), environmentalist Humaira Qasim Khan, Asma Khalil, Naveed Aslam and Salman Mansoor. The prime minister held the meeting with the newly-proposed members and now in the upcoming cabinet meeting, a decision would be about them. The commission, which was formed in December last year, was supposed to complete the task of the first-ever revision of the master plan within six months by July 13 deadline. Sources said that the commission completed its report within the deadline, highlighting the major issues. Meanwhile, it was decided that a consultant would be hired to complete the studies in light of the commission’s findings. However, the consultant is yet to be hired.   Source: https://www.pakistanpressfoundation.org/pm-imran-calls-for-protecting-green-areas-of-capital/

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February 3, 2019 No Comments

PCATP Election 2019-2021

Source: pcatp.org.pk Dear All: Result of the Election for the PCATP Executive Committee Term 2019-2021 is attached for your information and record. Kindly acknowledge receipt of this email. Regards, Registrar, PCATP Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners Office No.04, 4th Floor, 61-C, 21st Commercial Street Phase-II Extension, D.H.A, Karachi. Tel No: 021-35883731 ELECTION 2019-2021 RESULT

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January 20, 2019 No Comments

Thirty Ways To Get Sustainable – At Home

It’s easier than you might think 1. Make compost, or if you don’t want to build your own compost heap, give your organic waste to friends. 2. Move closer to work, or work at home when possible. Commuting accounts for more than a third of all car travel. 3. Reuse paper bags, envelopes, etc. 4. Maintain possessions instead of discarding them. With a few tools and a how-to book, you can save money, resources, and landfill space. 5. Xeriscape with drought-tolerant native species in your yard. Plant shade trees and vines to keep cool in the summer. 6. Build an extra unit on top of your garage, or convert your home into a duplex or tri-plex; it will mean less open space sacrificed to new construction. 7. Install low-flow showerheads. With less water to heat, you’ll save water and energy. 8. Buy in bulk, and bring your own reusable containers to eliminate wasteful packaging. 9. Takedown your back fence. Share garden space and play areas with your neighbors. 10. Use compact fluorescents, which screw into ordinary incandescent light-bulb sockets but use far less electricity. Add motion-sensing switches to turn them off when the room’s empty. 11. Ventilate with air-to-air heat exchangers. They pre-heat fresh air coming in with waste heat from the “old” air circulating out. 12. Plant deciduous shade trees to cut summer cooling bills. Put them on the west and east sides of the house to let light in during the winter. 13. Bike, walk and use public transit. 14. Install a solar water heater; they’re often cost-effective even in cloudy areas. 15. Buy efficient appliances with smarter designs, like front-loading washers (they use half the water and detergent of top-loading washers). Check efficiency ratings you could save up to 13 percent of your household energy use. 16. Use non-toxic cleaners. Borax, vinegar, baking soda, salt, and lemon juice are a few of the many natural alternatives. 17. Move to a smaller house. Okay, maybe not right now, but when you do move, re-examine how much space you really need and how close you are to work, and the services you need. 18. Tune-up your car. Without the required maintenance, it can lose up to 9 percent of its fuel efficiency. 19. Separate recyclables, and recycle ’em. 20. Landscape with edible plants. Decorative cabbage, fruit, and nut trees are lovely in the yard. 21. Upgrade/service your furnace. Newer models are usually more efficient. Cleaning and adjusting your furnace also makes a big difference. 22. Eat lower on the food chain. Meat, eggs, and dairy products require disproportionately more land, water, and other resources to produce than they return in food value. 23. Carpool and combine trips. 24. Talk with your neighbors. If you find you don’t have time, cancel a trip to the shopping mall or put the TV in the basement. 25. Install faucet aerators. They work like low-flow showerheads; most have an on/off control to let you cut off the water while soaping up. 26. Store rainwater; use your roof as the collector. It’s clean, it’s free, it’s great for your garden or yard, and it doesn’t take energy to pump it to your house. 27. Caulk and weatherstrip, and insulate walls and ceilings. Local utilities will often subsidize bringing older houses up to current standards. 28. Fix leaky pipes. Even small ones can waste thousands of gallons of water a year, and most can be easily repaired by replacing worn parts. 29. Start a community garden in an unused open space. Buy your food from local growers. 30. Install low-flush toilets and drop from six gallons per flush to one and a half. It saves money as well as water, by cutting utility bills and/or septic tank service calls.

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December 18, 2018 No Comments

Sheher Saaz meets VC Overseas Pakistanis Commission

Vice Chairperson Overseas Pakistanis Commission (OPC) Punjab Waseem Akhtar has said that Punjab Province offers lucrative opportunities for investors. Overseas Pakistanis should invest in various sectors in Punjab; the provincial government would provide complete protection to their investment. He was talking to a delegation of Sheher Saaz Private Limited, belonging to a consulting company based in UK, Australia, and Pakistan. Director General OPC Usman Anwar, Director Police Matters Imran Mehmood, Director Revenue Mehr Khalid Ahmed were also present on this occasion. Highlighting the investment opportunities in Punjab Waseem Akhtar told that on the special instructions of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, complete technical assistance is being provided to investors to set up new projects in the province. Members of the delegation showed keen interest to provide consultancy services in the housing and construction sector. VC OPC said that the Punjab government is offering a pro-business environment to generate foreign and domestic investment. Members of the delegation included Javed Munwar, Khuram Farid Managing Director, Mehtab Qasim Town Planner, and Maryam Batool, Community and Environmental Planner.

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November 8, 2018 No Comments
Prof. Dr. Suat Topsu.

The Man Who Wants To Connect The World With Light

Courtesy Original Article Published on: https://medium.com/@janoschtroehler/the-man-who-wants-to-connect-the-world-with-light-a014bd697ce2 Prof. Dr. Suat Topsu has a vision: Connecting people around the world with the internet. That is not groundbreaking in itself, but the technology he promotes is Li-Fi. The idea behind Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) sounds astonishing: Using light to transmit data and establishing connections. “Whenever I tell people about it, I get this wow effect,” Mr. Topsu tells me in the classy lounge of the Mont Cervin Hotel in Zermatt, Switzerland. He is attending this year’s Zermatt Summit. The French scientist and entrepreneur is a humble person with bushy, curly hair. He founded the company Oledcomm in 2012 which is providing Li-Fi solutions for enterprises as well as for customers. An Old Idea Revisited How innovative the concept might seem, it is in fact over a hundred years old. The first, who came up with it was the famous inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell. In 1880, he invented the ‘photophone’ together with his assistant Charles Sumner Tainter. However, the traditional lightbulbs could not cope with the requirements needed. It was Mr. Topsu’s pregnant wife who gave the impulse to revisit Bell’s design. She had seen a news bulletin about the possible impact of omnipresent radio waves emitted by our wireless signals on unborn babies. “When we started in 2005, we focused on car-to-car communication because LED lights were only installed there,” says Mr. Topsu. Thanks to the LED lights, Bell’s idea can finally become usable. With the Li-Fi technology, data gets translated into a kind of visual Morse code. Only LEDs can be switched on and off over ten million times per second. This binary code is interpreted on the receiving device. Downsides And Challenges Li-Fi has reached incredible bandwidth: In 2013, researchers measured 224 Gbits/s in the laboratory. That is equivalent to downloading ten movies in one second. However, there are obvious downsides to the new technology. Compared to Wi-Fi, the light cannot uphold connectivity through walls. Another challenge is the cost of the infrastructure. However, Mr. Topsu argues, he has a solution: “In older structures, we use a technology called power-light-communication. It’s like the technology we use to get internet connection via power sockets.” What about energy efficiency, people often ask. It is an ironic question because we never question that the Wi-Fi emitter is always on. In fact, LEDs consume less energy than the hotspot. Also, Li-Fi can provide connectivity within a light spectrum invisible to the human eye. Moreover, as a bonus, there may be no need for Wi-Fi anymore, so there are fewer radio waves, as Mr. Topsu’s wife wished. Nevertheless, Mr. Topsu admits there are enormous challenges ahead for the technology and his company Oledcomm. “First, we want to increase the capacity of production while keeping the quality high. We need to form partnerships, but that takes time. Secondly, we need to train installers to be able to set up the Li-Fi technology.” He also knows the key to success is patience. “We are used to getting everything very quickly, but real disruptive technologies need time. It is even more difficult when you need to change the infrastructure,” he says. A Bright Future Although there are disadvantages to the Li-Fi technology, there are some upsides too. Security, for example. “Mostly, people talk to us about installing Li-Fi in meeting rooms to improve cybersecurity,” Mr. Topsu reveals. You have to be in the same room to grab the data whereas with Wi-Fi you can be in the room next door or even further away. Mr. Topsu calls it ‘intrinsic security’. “Li-Fi itself is not enough to maintain constant connectivity.” The entrepreneur sees a bright future for the technology. “Today, we’re starting in niche markets. In 2022, when 5G arrives, we will have the mass market.” He worked with the European 5G standardization committee to implement the Li-Fi technology in the protocol. Manufacturers will have to provide decent receivers on their devices. Though: “Li-Fi itself is not enough to maintain constant connectivity. 5G is a mix of technologies. So, if we implement Li-Fi in the 5G protocols, you’re smartphone will decide automatically which network it will use. As a user, you don’t have to care about what service the device is using.” Creating A Better World Mr. Topsu speaks with a clear sense of reality. He is not selling his products with over-the-top enthusiasm. However, sometimes during our talk, he gets passionate: He perceives Li-Fi as means to create a better world. With his company, he installed Li-Fi on a variety of pilot sites. In museums, but also in hospitals and the metro to guide blind people — something Wi-Fi or Bluetooth cannot achieve due to the lack of accuracy. “Our mission is to connect objects and people by transforming the 14 billion light points on the planet into a powerful and secure communication network,” states Oledcomm’s website. For Mr. Topsu especially, this means grant people access to information in a faster and more ecological way.

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October 1, 2018 No Comments

13 things I learned at Habitat III

This is the first of a series of posts on the major Habitat III conference held in Quito, Ecuador, in October. Now that we’ve packed up the Global Planners Network stand at Habitat III and as the New Urban Agenda is formally adopted, I have reflected on what I have learned from attending the conference and how things have moved on since the RTPI attended Habitat II some 20 years ago. I imagine all of those delegates attending have their own perspective. Indeed, I look forward to reading some of the blogs – I persuaded some of those I met to write for us! But for the moment this is my personal perspective. 1. We are all planners now Planning, planners, and more significantly the long-established principles of good planning appear throughout the New Urban Agenda. Nowhere did we have to defend these concepts. One issue for us is that many others are engaging in work traditionally done by planners – including IT companies – and so we need to work even harder to make the role of the professional planner valued, relevant and attractive. We promoted our Delivering Better Development report and drew heavily on our value of planning work. 2. The reality of rapid urbanization is even more dramatic in practice than in theory We were dealing with what was happening with rapid urbanization and the consequences, I lost count of how many times we talked about our centenary Planning Horizons papers here and they flew off the GPN stand. But meeting so many people from so many cities of such varied backgrounds, all grappling with the pace and consequences really bought it home. I have invited a couple of these people to speak at our 2017 RTPI Planning Convention. For me, Habitat III was really about shaping all places. The power of good design and quality of life ran like a seam through the conference and some of the most powerful advocates of both were community and civic groups. 3. We are dealing with twenty-first-century challenges with twentieth-century governance and legal frameworks (indeed, nineteenth-century sometimes) This issue came up time and again. Leadership at all political levels is therefore going to be key. 4. ‘Smart cities’ is a contested concept If I was being provocative I would say that smart cities are like love, in that it is in the eye of the beholder. There were multiple, well-attended sessions on this theme. In fact, I spoke at one of them and it was the most heated and fascinating discussion about the challenge of being technology-led as opposed to enabled, raised the question of smart cities versus sustainable cities, the importance of using data wisely, its potential to empower, and nervousness around who is driving what, tinged with excitement about the potential. (I made a note to re-read Sir Peter Head’s centenary article in Planning Theory and Practice and to follow this debate closely). 5. Genuinely affordable housing is challenging for everyone – but the challenge varies greatly It may be the sheer quantum of housing need, land prices, intensification, communities adapting to being rehoused, informal settlements, the role of place-making, or the link to employment (or many other issues). Just when I felt over-awed by the scale of the challenge I would then hear a solution-based presentation to inspire. Jose Morales (pictured to the right of Phil Williams), the Director of Human Settlements at the Ministry of Housing and Human Development in Ecuador agreed to write a piece for us on their approach to housing which was interesting, so watch out for that soon. 6. Land and infrastructure are critical You cannot ignore the land issue. Land ownership, tenures, markets, and equity were constant subjects of discussion. Also, the importance of infrastructure and its role in shaping and connecting places and in delivering jobs and homes are increasingly understood. It is no longer a stand-alone activity or subject. 7. Climate change is increasingly linked to the quality of life and resilience In debates, air quality (which we successfully argued should be included in the draft New Urban Agenda) also arose repeatedly. It was a key strand in all the discussions around resilience. 8. You cannot ignore finance and economic models and tools There were sessions on every aspect of how the economic and financial models will help or hinder the delivery of the New Urban Agenda. We spent some time on the Infonavit stand hearing about their approach to solving the Mexican housing challenge, where the government, financial institutions, unions, and housing associations have set-up a body to deliver homes. I was particularly interested in this as my niece and her Mexican husband are self-building under this scheme. 9. Diversity matters When you spend six days where every panel you sit on or session you attend is genuinely diverse in all senses, including in approach and perspective, it brings home to you how often the only diversity on a panel back home is you as the lone woman! There seemed to be as many young attendees as older participants. It was always great just to chat with the person next door to you. The gender question and how we engage women fully in shaping the city and ensure basics such as that they feel safe was writ large (I attended part of the Women’s Assembly on the first day). I did not come across any reference to LGBT issues, but colleagues did. 10. It matters that we engage with the humanitarian sector on supporting humanitarian action Our launch of the UKBEAG raised the question about where the gaps and opportunities are. We were humbled when listening to Carolina Proano, an Ecuadorian planner, speak at our session on her work post-earthquake planning. We were glad of the support we received from the British Embassy, DFID, and the Red Cross. 11. The cumulative UK presence was effective The small UK Government delegation led by Rubina Kurruna did sterling work, and we lost count of the number of events they spoke at or attended on behalf of the Government but there

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September 17, 2018 No Comments

10 Lessons I Learned After Architecture School

10 Lessons I Learned After Architecture School Architecture is a profession of passion. To some, the decision to be an architect is a very difficult one. The long duration of the study; the search for a job after, plays an essential part in the decision. It requires determination, hard work, and a passion for the subject matter that goes beyond normal curiosity. If like me, you survived your university years with a higher level of curiosity and a stronger passion for architecture, you might have considered what next. Months of portfolio edits, rejections, and interviews that seem to go nowhere, will eventually secure you a job. It will take a few tries to navigate the workplace. Mistakes and failings might occupy you. Flaws are necessary. It has taken me years of failing, asking questions, and reading on the subject to understand this. I had envisioned a different pace of my personal development, and failing was hard to take. I had to learn to cope and to use them as catalyzes of future success. This is an amalgamation of years of advice, research, and personal epiphanies. In talking to friends and people within and outside the profession, I have compiled this, as only a guide to help you get through your architectural practice. I want, to begin with, what I believe is the most important point: 1. NETWORKING. The world of architecture is hidden to all outside its scope. To be successful, it is important to build a community around you. So talk to people about what you do; listen to them, when they speak about their professions and most of all, be curious! Take every chance to go to and to be part of networking events. Your progress needs to collect new contacts. Take every opportunity to make new friends, from all walks of life. You never know who is next to you. 2. COMMUNICATION. The human being remains the center of most architectural philosophies. As such, communication is key. Learn therefore how to communicate with peers, superiors, and most importantly, clients. In meetings, be confident: where you believe your input can create, enhance or elevate a solution, find the right manner of voicing them. Do not be timid but rather a part of the office’s conversations. Lastly, keep in touch with digital visualization innovation. 3. STAND OUT. In the office, you can be stuck in a routine, doing the same thing over and over again. If your aspirations are beyond the scope of that horizon, then seek it. Show your employer, your potential and effectiveness. If your interest lays within green technology, sustainability, or BIM, immerse yourself in it. Become an expert. Learn all you can about the subject; take the seminars, subscribe to the relevant magazines or journals, and become the go-to person for information and expertise in that chosen area. 4. SKETCH. A designer’s most effective skill is the ability to think through sketches. If you were to have a look, at the greats: from the likes of Palladio to the recently departed Zaha Hadid, you might see; they all sketched, all drew. In your arsenal, is a tool that is most ignored in the lure of the accurate possibilities of technology. But I urge you, to look at the world through your sketches. Analyze buildings, places, and anything that intrigues you, through your own sketches. Develop your skill, your own personal style. Most importantly, get yourself a sketchbook. An Architect should go nowhere without his/her sketchbook and a pencil or two. 5. WORK ETHIC. Okay, we have all seen the memes, showing architects not sleeping, shabby and exhausted. To be effective, you have to put in the hours. You will work long hours; and yes, you will have some all-nighters. All I can say is, show your passion, work effectively and you would be able to demand your worth. It would be arduous, but ultimately it will be worth it. 6. EDUCATE YOURSELF. Yes! You have finished your degree program, completed your professional studies. It doesn’t end there, unfortunately. Knowledge is infinite. As designers of such things as space, we must keep hold of education. In the professional setting, there are laws that you must be up to date with. Above that, acquire knowledge for your own benefit. I beseech you, keep informed, read more, get the TED app; learn from the success and failures of others. 7. MENTORSHIP. Simply put, find yourself a mentor, within or without your place of work. Someone to look up to; to give you advice when needed and a push when required. On the other side of the coin, become a mentor yourself. Share your knowledge with someone else. Besides, it forces you to learn some more, so you can build on your own knowledge. 8. LEARN THE BUSINESS OF ARCHITECTURE. While studying, we seek the best design approaches, best software, etc. We forget to ask a simple question, how does the business of architecture work? Learn how the business works; how to get and keep clients; when and where we get paid; learn tendering and all the other aspects of running an effective office. 9. EMBRACE YOUR FAILURES. The certainty is, within the course of your professional career, you are going to fail. This is an inevitable truth. So learn to acquire wisdom from your failures. I remember a lecturer of mine, telling us never to use the word, ‘problem’ when it came to our designs. Rather, he asked us to see them as opportunities. See your failures in the same light; from your failings find future triumph. 10. LASTLY, KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE. It is imperative to remember why you entered into this profession. Maybe you wish to change the world; wish to see your skyscraper as part of the London or New York skyline or maybe you want to diminish the carbon footprint of architecture. Whatever your goal is, keep it at hand. Let your passion direct you. For the next few years, you

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August 3, 2018 No Comments

10 Mobile Apps you Should never miss, If you are an Architect

In the last years, smartphones have become one of the most useful and essential tools people use to organize their activities. Companies have developed a lot of apps to help people to do activities of many disciplines, and architecture could not be ignored. With the boom in the application designing industry and the competition amongst them, the quality has improved over the past couple of years. There are a lot of apps for architects, and we will review the top ten applications you must have.  Here is a list of the best 10 apps that every architect must-have. 1- Graphisoft’s BIMx app. (iOS and Android) On the top of our list comes BIMx,  which is the ideal app for architects using the ArchiCAD program to present or share designs with clients and contractors. The app integrates 2D and 3D for BIM models, see the floor plans, helping you to better understand the designs. BIMx models can be shared in real-time — so clients can access individual BIMx Hyper-models (including 2D and 3D content) on any of their devices after their architect shares it with them. This app can be the most useful tool in the construction process. Price: Free (iOS/Android), BIMx PRO: 49.99$ 2- Autodesk Format (iOS and Android) You can now create models on your phones or tablets. You can create conceptual models quickly anywhere and anytime, or even you can create and edit BIM models on your mobile device.  Added to this the application was recently updated with the real-world site information and the location-aware Shadow Study tool with which you just shouldn’t feel afraid to explore. You can even import the site image from the satellite. If you are not satisfied with the quality of your models made on a mobile device, you can export them later and edit them on your computer to improve them. And how can I forget you can back it up on the cloud and share it with others just with a tap.Price: Free (iOS, Android) 3- Paper (iOS only) Having won Apple’s App of the Year and been given the 2012 Apple Design Award, the Paper app by FiftyThree, Inc. makes it easy to capture your ideas as sketches, diagrams, illustrations, or notes and share them on the internet. It’s a simple and intuitive app built specifically for the iPad’s display. The company recently announced the introduction of a ‘pencil’ stylus that connects to the iPad via Bluetooth.Price: Free (iOS) 4- Autocad 360 Developed by Autodesk, Autocad 360is an extremely fundamental app that needs to be installed on your phone or tablet so that you have access to all the drawings when you are on the go. Autocad 360 enables you to view, create or edit any drawings. It will help you to access drawings anytime and anywhere you need to, and you can also share them using your web browser.Price: Free (IOS, Android) 5- MagicPlan This is a very interesting and useful app. It uses the device’s cameras to draw the floor plans of real spaces. You just have to stand in a certain place and point your device, and the app will draw the floor plan. When it is done, you can export the floor plan as a PDF, DXF, or a JPG.Price: Free (IOS, Android) 6- iRhino 3D (iOS only) This app will provide you the opportunity to view any Rhino 3DM file on your mobile device. It is useful to showcase your models when you do not have your laptop easy-to-hand.Price: 3.99$ (iOS) 7- SketchBook (iOS, Android) It is an application owned by Autodesk. This application is very helpful to draw sketches. You can also draw a picture to see the way your designs would look. And finally, if it is difficult for you to draw in perspective, this app gives you guides to do it well. We architecture students and architects can be inspired anywhere anytime by anything. Literally! The epiphany might descend upon us in the most crucial areas. In situations like these, instead of scavenging for paper and a pencil, at this time, you might even miss the opportunity, this application comes in handy. This application is perfect for digital sketching. Price: Free (iOS, Android, Amazon, Windows) 8- Morpholio Trace (iOS)  The more you draw the better it is. I personally love working in layers! The more layers you have the more refined the design turns out to be. This application is perfect for this, you keep sketching over your sketches. Adding layers over layers just like one places tracing paper. It’s truly the perfect application for an architect. Price: Free (iOS) 9- CADTOUCH (iOS, Android)  Last-minute editing is what we all do to our work. There is some tiny little fault that we find in our drawings and we need to edit them. It is a PRO CAD editor and viewer that helps you completely reinvent the on-site drawings and gives the user the power and ability to edit, measure, annotate, draw and view their work on-site. It also helps you to calculate the area of any space, design and draw floor plans and make a diagram. When you finished your work, you can email the archive immediately, so this app is very useful when you are not in your office.Price: Free (iOS, Android) 10- Architect Envi Deluxe (iOS) When bored a little bit of historical and current information seems to be the most entertaining time-pass. It’s like having all the maestros and the legends in your pocket at all times. The app is also perfect for architecture students. It will provide you information about the great architectural works in all-history and the most important architects. You can browse across every century and find the most famous buildings of each one. It’s sorted out according to the time-period with pictures of works of over 100+ architects. It also provides you information of the great architectural works in all-history. You can browse across every century and find the most famous buildings of each one. Apart from the pictures this also gives one

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July 3, 2018 No Comments

Land Revenue Laws and Terms for Urban planners in Pakistan

Q. What is Aks-Shajra? A. Aks-Shajra means the image of a specific piece of land/specific khasra number from the map/plan of an estate or village defining its boundaries. Q. What is meant by Fard Malkiat? A. Fard Malkiat is also known as (Record of Rights/ Jama Bandi/Misal Haquiat/ Register Haqdaran-e-Zameen) maintained for determination/record of various types of rights in the immovable property. Q. What is Mutation (Intiqal)? A. Mutation is a document containing an order by a revenue officer; who must be at least an Assistant Collector of grade III, whereby an entry in the record of rights is to be altered, changed or mutated in revenue record. Q. What is meant by Tattima Registry? A. Tattima means “supplementary” and Tattima Registry means supplementary sale deed in specified area. Q. What is meant by Khasra? A. Khasra is a piece of land with specific measurements and a specific number. Q. What is Khasra Garrdwari? A. Register Kharsa Gardwari is a register maintained for record of possession/cultivation. Q. What is meant by Survey? A. A drawing or map showing the precise legal boundaries of a property, the location of improvements, easements, rights of way, encroachments, and other physical features. Q. Is mutation is a title document? A. No, the mutation is not a title document. Q. What is the name of the document, which creates title in immovable property? A. Register Sale Deed (Registry /Baye-Nama) is a document, which creates a title in the immovable property. Q. What is meant by Conveyance Deed or Sale Deed? A. Conveyance Deed or Sale Deed is a deed document by which the title of the property is conveyed by the seller to the purchaser. Conveyance is the act of transferring ownership of the property from a seller to the buyer. Deed document will help you ascertain whether the property, which you are buying, is on land belonging to any development authority, society, a builder in which the property is located, whichever the case may be. Q. From where I can obtain my house documents or title deeds of my property? A. You can obtain your house documents or title deed documents from office/department by which title of the house was conferred or transferred. Q. What laws generally deal with real estate in Pakistan? A. Among the laws, which deal with real estate in Pakistan, are The Transfer of Property Act, 1882, Land Revenue Act, 1967, Stamp Act, 1899, and Registration Act, 1908. Q. Is mutation is a title document? A. No, the mutation is not a title document. Q. What is the name of the document, which creates title in immovable property? A. Register Sale Deed (Registry /Baye-Nama) is a document, which creates a title in the immovable property. Q. What is meant by Conveyance Deed or Sale Deed? A. Conveyance Deed or Sale Deed is a deed document by which the title of the property is conveyed by the seller to the purchaser. Conveyance is the act of transferring ownership of the property from a seller to the buyer. Deed document will help you ascertain whether the property, which you are buying, is on land belonging to any development authority, society, a builder in which the property is located, whichever the case may be. Q. From where I can obtain my house documents or title deeds of my property? A. You can obtain your house documents or title deed documents from the office/department by which the title of the house was conferred or transferred. Q. What laws generally deal with real estate in Pakistan? A. Among the laws, which deal with real estate in Pakistan, are The Transfer of Property Act, 1882, Land Revenue Act, 1967, Stamp Act, 1899, and Registration Act, 1908. Q. What safety precautions should I take before buying property or real estate in Pakistan? A. Before buying a property in Pakistan a complete and thorough probe in respect of the title of the seller to the real estate must be carried out. General practice is to investigate the title of the current seller and any previous owner. Original title document in favor of the vendor must be obtained along with other relevant documents including a mutation in favor of the vendor, a fresh copy of fard, aks shajra, and no-objection certificate or non-encumbrance certificate as the case may be. If the vendor is selling the property in the capacity of an attorney of the owner then it must be ensured that the power of attorney is duly registered with the relevant sub-registrar. A holder of a forged and fabricated power of attorney is not at all able to transfer a valid title in an immovable property to a third party. Q. In name of a Company, the property is registered before purchasing it, what documents should I inspect? A. Before purchasing a property from a company you should verify from the Registrar of Companies at the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan that the property is not mortgaged or is not being used as a security against a loan, otherwise it will not be considered as a freehold property. In addition, check the memorandum of association that who is authorized to act on behalf of the company for selling the property, if resolution is required then the same must be passed and verified. Further, inspect original title documents from the selling company. Q. Can corporate bodies use residential properties as office space? A. It is illegal to put residential properties to commercial use. However, service-based industries are allowed to operate from residential areas. Q. Can foreigners buy Property in Pakistan? A. Yes, foreigners can buy property in Pakistan but after completing all legal formalities. Q. What inheritance laws apply in Pakistan? A. Inheritance laws in Pakistan depend on religious affinities, Muslim Personal Laws for the Muslims and persons other than Muslims their personal laws. Q. Is the transfer of every immovable Property needs registration in Pakistan? A. Transfer in the case of immovable property of the value of

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June 14, 2018 No Comments

Internship Program

Sheher Saaz Internship Programme is designed for those who want to make a difference and contribute to the development of policy centers in Pakistan. An internship at Sheher Saaz allows you to tackle real issues in policy areas spanning the full breadth of work. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to work alongside our experienced full-time staff in helping out in the day-to-day operations at a research center. Interns are an integral part of the team. They take charge of tasks that support the organization’s work and operations. We welcome dedicated, resourceful, and motivated individuals from various academic backgrounds to join our team and make an impact on building a better Pakistan. Here you not only build your knowledge and skills in a thought-provoking think tank environment, but you will also gain experiences that will be beneficial to your personal and professional growth. We offer three types of internship programs: Junior Associate Program Sheher Saaz most competitive and prestigious internship program for graduates. Candidates must possess expertise in subject areas relevant to Sheher Saaz work, such as economics, political science, law, business, social sciences, environment, gender development, GIS, transportation, project management, conservation, architecture, and urban planning as well as business development. Junior Associates are expected to handle more complex tasks such as assisting with the completion of a research proposal/paper and leading a program campaign. Eligibility: University graduate with a CGPA of at least 3.6 Duration: 6 to 9 months To apply, please submit the following documents to hr@shehersaaz.com Curriculum Vitae (include references) and cover letter Transcripts and relevant certificates Essay to the following question: ‘What policy reforms would you propose in Pakistan and why?’ Sample of written work Business Development Internship Sheher Saaz is seeking a current college student, current graduate student, or recent college graduate who is interested in serving as an intern and providing a wide range of database, research, administrative, and general support to Sheher Saaz Development Manager. In return, Sheher Saaz will provide an opportunity for the intern to gain experience in and familiarity with areas such as conducting surveys, collecting primary and secondary data, event management,  business development, research, and day-to-day operations of a think tank with a global network. The Development Intern will be part of the External Relations Team and report to the Development Manager. Specific Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Assist the development staff in entering data for analysis. Conduct research on potential strategic partners, markets, and industries. Prepare reports and presentations for internal and external use. Draft correspondence, reports, proposals, and briefs. Assist the development staff in planning events and other activities. Maintain files and other development materials. Attend department and staff meetings. Assist with mailings, filing, and special projects as needed. Qualifications Strong writing and research abilities. Desire to learn more about research and development. Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and relevant professional applications. Experience with databases is a plus. Good interpersonal skills and attention to detail. A demonstrated commitment to Sheher Saaz mission and values. Unimpeachable ethical standards and personal integrity. June 2020 to November 2020 Flexible within business hours (9:30 am to 5:00 pm). A firm commitment of 40 hours per week is required. Duration: 6 months To apply, please submit the following documents to hr@shehersaaz.com Curriculum Vitae (include references) and cover letter Transcripts and relevant certificates Sample of written work Shortlisted candidates will be notified for further interview. Internship Sheher Saaz Internship is an internship program for fresh graduates and students from any academic background. Interns are expected to provide support for projects and activities of the division that they are assigned to and will have the opportunity to be involved in policy research, event management, communications work, and so on. Eligibility: University students from any background Duration: 3 to 6 months To apply, please submit the following documents to hr@shehersaaz.com Curriculum Vitae Short answer to the following questions: ‘Why do you want to be part of Sheher Saaz and what do you want to achieve from the internship program (limit 300 words) Sample of written work Shortlisted candidates will be notified for further interview.

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May 27, 2018 No Comments

Role of urban planning in mass transit system of Lahore

This discussion was aimed to get the viewpoint of urban planning experts on the provision of mass transit facilities (metro bus and orange train) in Lahore. The discussion point is Urban planning in pursuit of mass transit provision in the local context of Lahore. The following points were discussed a)     What do you think about the provision of metro services (bus+ train) in Lahore as an urban planner? b)    Is the mass transit concept applied as a sustainable option? (if yes how and if not why not) c)     What are the urban planning challenges/ issues raised after the mass transit provision in the city? d)    The suggested planning measures to enhance the future development of Lahore in line with the mass transit provision. A Focus Group Discussion was organized on the topic of “Urban planning in pursuit of mass transit provision in the local context of Lahore.” All participants gave their viewpoints about mass transit systems of different cities of Pakistan. In this respect, the metro bus projects of Lahore, Multan, Islamabad, Karachi and Peshawar were also discussed. They also quoted the examples of UK and UAE mass transit systems. They also discussed that what should be the role of federal government and development authority and how they should implement such projects? Keeping in view the local, social, cultural, and environmental conditions of the country the improvements in decision making process of mass transit projects is highly recommended by the planning officials. Following professionals participated in the discussion. Mr. Aslam Mughal, Former President IPP Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Sandhu, President of IPP (Capital Development Authority) Mr. Khurram Farid Bargatt, Secretary General IPP (Sheher Saaz Pvt Ltd) Mr. Salman Mehfooz Secretary Finance IPP (Lahore Development Authority) Mr. Muhammad Shoaib, Joint Secretary IPP (Surbana Juroung Pvt Ltd) Mr. Rizwan-Ur-Reham   Executive Member IPP (Consultant Housing Department) Dr. Fariha Tariq, Executive Member IPP (University of Management and Technology) Dr. Asghar Naeem Malik, Executive Member IPP (NUST Islamabad) Mr. Afraz Akhtar, Executive Member IPP (Lahore Development Authority) Mr. Muhammad Zubair, Executive Member IPP (Defense Housing Authority) Dr. Muhammad Asim Executive Member IPP (University of Engineering & Technology) Ms. Nida Batool Executive Executive Member IPP (University of Management & Technology) Dr. Obaid Ullah Nadeem, Member IPP (University of Engineering and Technolgy) Ms. Sadaf Saeed, Member IPP (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) Ms. Ayesha Butt Member IPP (Sheher Saaz Pvt Ltd) Mr. Mehtab Qasim  Member IPP (Sheher Saaz Pvt Ltd) Sadaf Saeed sadaf.saeed@rmit.edu.au  Ph.D. candidate   Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University) Melbourne, Australia City and Regional Planning Dept. University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore

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April 20, 2018 No Comments

IPP Executive Council Meeting

Institute of Planners Pakistan (IPP) Executive Council meeting was held on 25th May 2018 at 21 Dyal Singh Mansion, 57 The Mall, Lahore, 54000. Following attended the meeting: Mr. Aslam Mughal, Former President IPP Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Sandhu, President of IPP (Capital Development Authority) Mr. Khurram Farid Bargatt, Secretary-General IPP (Sheher Saaz Pvt Ltd) Mr. Salman Mehfooz Secretary Finance IPP (Lahore Development Authority) Mr. Muhammad Shoaib, Joint Secretary IPP (Surbana Juroung Pvt Ltd) Mr. Rizwan-Ur-Reham   Executive Member IPP (Consultant Housing Department) Dr. Fariha Tariq, Executive Member IPP (University of Management and Technology) Dr. Asghar Naeem Malik, Executive Member IPP (NUST Islamabad) Mr. Afraz Akhtar, Executive Member IPP (Lahore Development Authority) Mr. Muhammad Zubair, Executive Member IPP (Defense Housing Authority) Dr. Muhammad Asim Executive Member IPP (University of Engineering & Technology) Ms. Nida Batool Executive Executive Member IPP (University of Management & Technology) Dr. Obaid Ullah Nadeem, Member IPP (University of Engineering and Technolgy) Ms. Sadaf Saeed, Member IPP (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) Ms. Ayesha Butt Member IPP (Sheher Saaz Pvt Ltd) Mr. Mehtab Qasim  Member IPP (Sheher Saaz Pvt Ltd)

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March 25, 2018 No Comments

Urban Development of Istanbul in 2000

Urban Development of Istanbul in 2000By: Ms. Esra AkcanPh.D. Columbia University the USAAssociate Professor Control University the USA Introduction: Institute of Planners Pakistan (IPP) in collaboration with M/s Sheher Saaz (Pvt.) Ltd., hosted a seminar on “URBAN DEVELOPMENT OF ISTANBUL IN 2000” by Esra Akcan. Ms. Esra Akcan’s scholarly work on a geopolitically conscious global history of architecture inspires her teaching. Her research on modern and contemporary architecture and urbanism foregrounds the intertwined histories of Europe and West Asia. Her book, Architecture in Translation: Germany, Turkey and the Modern House (Duke, 2012), offers a new way to understand the global movement of architecture that extends the notion of translation beyond language to visual fields. It advocates a commitment to a new culture of translatability from below and in multiple directions for truly cosmopolitan ethics and global justice. Her book, Turkey: Modern Architectures in History (Reaktion/University of Chicago Press, 2012), coauthored with Sibel Bozdogan, is part of a series that aims at an inclusive survey of modern world architecture and is the first volume in any language to cover the entire 20th century in Turkey. Akcan is currently working on her next book on the urban renewal of Berlin’s immigrant neighborhood, through which she explores a theory of open architecture. She has received numerous awards and fellowships and has authored more than 100 articles in scholarly books and professional journals in multiple languages. She has also participated in exhibitions as an artist by carrying her practice beyond writing to visual media. She was educated as an architect in Turkey and received her Ph.D. from Columbia University. Esra’s Recent Work:1. Critically Now: Esra Akcan and Iftikhar Dadi: Migration and Discrimination2. Critically Now: Esra Akcan: Homo oeconomicus of the “New Turkey”: Urban Development of Istanbul in the 2000s3. Critically Now Event Series Supports Screenings, Classes, Exhibitions4. Akcan Explores Urban Renewal of Berlin’s Immigrant Neighborhood. The seminar was held on Sunday, 1st of April 2018 at the Conference Room of Sheher Saaz (Pvt.) Ltd. 21 Dyal Sing Mansion 57 The Mall, Lahore. Professional Planners working in the public and private sector, IT experts, Architects, Students, public officials,s and other professionals attended the Seminar. Key participants were: Name Designation Dr. Anees ur Rehman Patron-in-Chief IPP Mr. Aslam Mughal Former President IPP Dr. Tariq Habib Malik Senior Vice President IPP, Director Planning and Development Sheher Saaz Mr. Khurum Farid Bargat Secretary-General IPP, Principal Planner Sheher Saaz Mr. Muhammad Zubair Executive Member, IPP, Senior Town Planner DHA Lahore Mr. Rizwan-ur-rehman Executive Member IPP, Urban Planning Expert HUD PHE Dept. Mr. Shakeel Anjum Minhas Chief Metropolitan Planner Lahore Development Authority Mr. Ilyas Malik Asst. Professor UMT Lahore Mr. Mutahir Awan Professor UMT Lahore Mr. Ahmad Masood Principal planner NESPAK Mr.Mehtab Qasim Town Planner Sheher Saaz Ms. Ayesha Butt Town Planner Sheher Saaz Ms. Sahar Mukhtar Architect Sheher Saaz Mr. Muhammad Javed Ch Trainee Town Planner Sheher Saaz Mr. Naseem Akhtar Student UET Lhr. Mr. Talha Sabir Student UMT Lhr. Mr. Ahsan Azam Khan Student UMT Lhr. Mr. Waqar Younas Student UMT Lhr. Presentation: Esra discussed three case studies named: • Maslak 1453 Istanbul• Bosporus City• Neighborhood Gecekondu Clearance Project. The first case study was focused on the architectural character and as well as planning of Maslak City. Maslak is one of the main business districts of Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey, located on the European side of the city. It was formerly an exclave of the municipality of Şişli, though being far north and actually closer to the municipalities of Sarıyer and Beşiktaş. Therefore, legislation was approved by the Interior Commission of the Turkish Parliament on October 18, 2012, that shifted the jurisdiction of the Maslak district from Şişli to Sarıyer. The city Maslak in Istanbul divides into different blocks A, B, C, etc. There were two founders named Fateh Sultan Mehmet, Mustafa Kamal Ataturk who plays a very important role in the whole development of the Area. The presence of Shopping malls in the center around which shopping or commercial plazas are designed gives a growing aesthetical look to the City.   In the whole building design, one can observe unity as the main element of architecture design. The city was very densely populated. “Government officials tried to promote the status of the global city” (Gerfold Frug). The main character is the industrial field is its construction industry. The construction industry adds a very huge contribution to generate total revenue. Due to the promotion of privatization and government officials’ share in the business, there were a lot of damages occurred to ecological systems. Lack of planning and poor quality provision leads the city into urban sprawls and kick the city far away from affordability in housing sectors. In the years 2003-2009 profit from privatization increased rapidly. Most houses contain apartments having 8 units with an average of 4 story’s and all these are on sales or rental basis for habitants. These usually refer to developer’s apartment or squatter settlements in 1950-1980. In 2003-2010 66 million square meter land transfer to Tokli City where 500000 housing units was built. This trend of increasing infrastructure lead shopping malls from 0-6 million square meter according to Esra Akcan research. The gated community in turkey is living in furnished environments through restrictions in whole areas. The second case study presented by the researcher is about Bosporus city. The Bosporus is a narrow, natural strait and an internationally significant waterway located in northwestern Turkey. It forms part of the continental boundary between Europe and Asia and separates Asian Turkey from European Turkey. The world’s narrowest strait used for international navigation, the Bosporus connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, and, by extension via the Dardanelles, the Aegean, and Mediterranean Seas. Most of the shores of the strait are heavily settled, straddled by the city of Istanbul’s metropolitan population of 17 million inhabitants extending inland from both coasts. The first thing in research about Bosporus is about airport near to waterway in northwestern turkey.   Many trees were cut down to clear

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February 1, 2018 No Comments

Seminar on Introduction of Industry 4.0, Smart City Lahore, Pakistan

Seminar on Introduction of Industry 4.0, Smart City Lahore, Pakistan. Institute of Planners Pakistan (IPP) in Collaboration with M/s Sheher Saaz (Pvt) Ltd., hosted a seminar on the topic “INTRODUCTION OF INDUSTRY 4.0, SMART CITY LAHORE, PAKISTAN” by Professor Byung Wan Jo. (Ph.D.) from Industry 4.0 Consulting Lab, Hanyang University, South Korea. Dr. Byung is a world-renowned professor of Civil Engineering who holds key advisory and research positions in South Korea including: Director of Disaster-Prevention Research Center in South Korean Government Director, Creative Research Lab of Seoul Metropolitan City Chair, Korea Creative Business & Economy Forum Supervisor, National Convergence Committee in the Government Co-Chair, Industry 4.0 Committee of Democratic Party for 19th Presidential Election President, Industry 4.0 Smart City Director, Industry 4.0 Center of Excellence Besides, numerous other key positions in industrial research and emerging technologies, Dr. Byung has more than 50 patents on Industry 4.0 Technologies to his credit. The seminar was held on Friday, 9th of February at Conference Room of Sheher Saaz (Pvt) Ltd, 21 Dyal Singh Mansion 57 The Mall, Lahore. Professional planners working in the public and private sector, IT experts, public officials, and other professionals attended the seminar. Key participants are: Dr. M. Ali Sikandar Associate Professor CECOS University Peshawar Dr. Zafar Baloch Associate Professor BUITEMS Quetta Mr. M Shoaib Head Urban Planning Surbana Jurong Mr. M Talha Architect Design Solutions Mr. Rizwan Ur Rehman Urban Planning Expert HUD & PHED Mr. Wamiq Anwar CEO Dimen Associates Mr. Ahmed Masood Principal Planner NESPAKMr. Tahir Mahmood Senior Town Planner Sheher Saaz (Pvt) Ltd Mr. Imtiaz Hussain Town Planner Dimen AssociatesMr. Mehtab Qasim Town Planner Sheher Saaz(Pvt) Ltd Ms. Aniqa Ali Town Planner Sheher Saaz (Pvt) Ltd, Ms. Ayesha Butt Town Planner Sheher Saaz (Pvt) Ltd, Ms. Seerat Fatima Town Planner Sheher Saaz (Pvt) Ltd, Ms. Sahar Mukhtar Architect Sheher Saaz (Pvt) Ltd. Mr. Zubair Town Planner Sheher Saaz (Pvt) Ltd. Professor Byung Wan Jo explained the whole concept of Industry 4.0 including IoT (Internet of Things), Smart Factory, and discussed the core technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Beacon, and Voice-Recognition AI Assistant. The professor related the concept of smart factory layout with the smart city layout with the use of technology. He gave different examples of the use of the internet in daily life, how people are socializing and marketing through the use of modern technology. In this reference, he coded the examples of Alibaba, Microsoft, Facebook, Google, and X-bat. He explained how Industry 4.0 is a term applied to a group of rapid transformations in the design, manufacture, operation, and service of manufacturing systems and products. Professor discussed the Punjab Vision 2020, the concept of Smart City, provide a view of Industry 4.0 Smart City, Lahore, and gave examples that how can we make Lahore a Smart City. He integrates basic components of a smart city i.e. transportation, buildings, safety & security, infrastructure, resources, economy, happiness. He said Smart City is a town where Space, Things, and People are able to communicate intelligently with each other anywhere, at any time, by any device through the technology of Organic Things Embedded System (IIoT) developed in cities. Moreover, it is an ICBM-based intelligent eco-friendly waterfront green economic city for the 21st century that spends less energy and resources, revitalizes sustainable energy, and activates the economy, happiness quality of life with SOC Infra for the goods in the harmony of human and nature. He explained the 9 Basic Infra of Industry 4.0 Smart City Networks i.e. Industry 4.0 CPS Economic Development, Industry 4.0 Smart Grid (Energy & Resources), Industry 4.0 Transportation Systems, Industry 4.0 CPS Security & Safety, Industry 4.0 Clean Environment, Industry 4.0 Green Mechanism, Industry 4.0 CPS Healing & Healthcare, Industry 4.0 Welfare & Happiness, and Industry 4.0 Physical Infra Arrangement & Design. He discussed the Major Function of the Industry 4.0 Security Platform which are Intelligent Visual Monitoring like face recognition and identification, psychophysiological measurement, Automatic tracking, managing visual recording schedule, etc. Data management: Staffs (WL)/ monitoring objects (BL) data management, noticingincident situation (alarm/ SMS), registration of entering vehicles, setting basic management sectors. Checks: Face record information check, entering vehicles record information check, fire sensing record information check, SMS sending record information checks, entrances statistics information checks. Optional Function: Vehicle plate recognition, sensing fire and smoke, sensing trespass of a certain area, analysis on entering people and their sex and age. He also discussed the concepts of 3D Printing Building, Smart Hyperway, Smart Bridge. By Ayesha ButtTown Planner at Sheher Saaz Pvt Ltd

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January 9, 2018 No Comments

8 Cool Ideas for U.S. Cities, Courtesy of the Dutch

BY JENNY XIE@CANONIND  An illuminated crosswalk designed to help drivers see pedestrians better.Photo via Lighted Zebra Crossing From Mondrian’s colorful, pared-down compositions to a bike- and weed-friendly culture, there’s a lot the Netherlands is known for. And recently, these cultural footings —as well as universal headaches like potholes and road safety—have inspired a number of innovative urban interventions around the country. We’ve gathered a handful below for inspiration—and pure amusement. 1. A bike traffic system that helps cyclists get all green lights A new bike traffic light system from Dutch company Springlab wants to make every urban cyclist’s dream come true. Flo uses sensors to detect riders’ speeds about 120 meters (or 400 feet) before a street traffic light and then displays symbols indicating whether they need to speed up (a hare), maintain the pace (a thumbs up), or slow down (a turtle) to make the next light. One Flo kiosk has been deployed in Utrecht, and there are plans to roll out a couple of more in the coming months. 2. Emoji as an architectural ornament Photos via Attika Architekten Goodbye gargoyles, hello smileys? Over in the Dutch city of Amersfoort, a brick mixed-use building now sports 22 emojis cast in white concrete on its facade. Love it or hate it, this is one architectural trick that perfectly encapsulates the current era. 3. “Self-healing” roads that fix their own potholes Shutterstock Modern cities are plagued by potholes. One Dutch materials scientist, Erik Schlangen at Delft University, thinks he may be able to defeat them. His team is currently developing “self-healing” asphalt—that is, asphalt embedded with tiny steel fibers so that when you run an electrical current over it with a huge magnet, the fibers heat up and fill in any small cracks that may be forming. According to his research, this type of asphalt would cost 25 percent more than traditional asphalt but last twice as long. It’s already being tested on a dozen different public roads around the country. 4. Building bridges out of cannabis hemp Eindhoven University of Technology It’s not the prettiest bridge out there, but it’s probably the world’s first and only one made entirely from biocomposite materials, namely cannabis hemp. Designed and built by a team of researchers and students in Eindhoven, the structure is made of hemp and flax fibers embedded in resin and covering a bio-based polymer core. The team, which has put 28 sensors in the bridge, will monitor the structure over the next year, studying its bounce and structural integrity. 5. Glowing crosswalks   Dutch company Lighted Zebra Crossing has a simple, effective way to help drivers see pedestrians better. Their glowing crosswalks replace the typical light-reflecting paint with illuminated lightboxes. The system is directly connected to the city’s streetlight system or solar panels and can be embedded right in the asphalt or pavers. 6. Turning city hall into a giant piece of art For the centennial of the Dutch art movement Di Stijl this year, the Hague commissioned artists Madje Vollaers and Pascal Zwart of Rotterdam-based Studio VZ to create a massive piece of artwork inspired by De Stijl’s most famous artist, Piet Mondrian, right on the facade of city hall. The 1995-built Richard Meier creation sure looks more ready to party with some color. 7. LED traffic lights for texting pedestrians Confronted with the reality of smartphone-obsessed pedestrians, the Dutch town of Bodegraven recently began a pilot project testing thin, colored LED light strips positioned at the end of sidewalks. Depending on their glow—red or green—the lights should be visible even to pedestrians with their heads down. 8. An endless circular runway?! Now, this is an idea that may never take off, but just entertain it for a second. According to Dutch scientist Henk Hesselink, who is working with the Netherlands Aerospace Centre, an “endless runway” with a 360-degree landing strip means planes can approach and takeoff from any direction without fighting against crosswinds. It would take up about a third of land typically reserved for airports and create more distributed flight paths (and more tolerable plane noise for residents in the area.)

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December 15, 2017 No Comments

The 10 most beautiful city halls in the U.S.

From historic towers to modern domes, here’s where governing happens – By Megan Barber If government work is characterized as bureaucratic and repetitive—if not slightly boring—the buildings that house local administrations are anything but. City halls across the United States are often located at the cultural and physical nexuses of urban centers, creating large gathering places for everything from celebrations to protests. These are some of the most beautiful—and interesting—structures in the city. Many city halls are historic. In places like New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles, the architecture of each city’s town hall is representative of the particular milieu in which it was built. French Renaissance or Art Deco styles tell you not only when a building was constructed, but also the ideals to which cities aspired. City halls built in the 1960s and 1970s—like in Boston and Dallas—show a different aesthetic, and one that is frequently derided. And while some may quibble with the inclusion of a Brutalist masterpiece on a “most beautiful” list, we appreciate its diversity and creativity, to say nothing of the stunning geometry. Finally, there is also a handful of new city halls that show where government architecture is headed. Some are low-lying buildings made of limestone, while others are curving modern temples of glass and eco-friendly amenities. This varied list spans both architectural styles and timeframes, and we’ve prioritized buildings outside of Washington, D.C., in order to highlight lesser-known structures. Here, we present the 10 most beautiful city halls in the United States. Austin City Hall It’s easy to assume that the town halls of the U.S. are only characterized by grand towers and domes. But cities like Austin, Texas, have opted for new, modern designs that look drastically different than their counterparts. Designed by Antoine Predock Architects, the new Austin City Hall and Public Plaza use angles and horizontal lines to create a “warm informality” that’s miles away from the “suit-and-tie” city halls in the rest of the country. The building opened in 2004 and was built from Texas limestone. Other materials, such as copper, glass, and water, combine to create what the architects like to call the city’s living room. Buffalo City Hall As one of the largest city halls in the country, the Buffalo City Hall stands tall and imposing. Completed in 1931 by Dietel, Wade & Jones, the Art Deco building includes symbolic figures and decorations, many of which portray an industrial theme. According to the city, the architect and builders of Buffalo City Hall wanted “to accomplish in stone, steel, and glass what the ancient Greeks did in stone and timber,” hence the design’s columns and reliefs at the main entrance. This City Hall demonstrates two important aspects of the Art Deco movement: its emphasis on ornamentation and the practicality of its execution. For example, the building’s 1,520 windows all open inward so that the windows can be cleaned from the inside—essentially making window washers obsolete. San Jose City Hall In a sea of historic buildings, the San Jose City Hall is not only noticeable for its modern design but also because it’s likely the most expensive city hall in the country. Designed by architect Richard Meier and influenced by French architect Le Corbusier, the building opened in 2005 at a cost of $343 million. As the centerpiece of a seven-block redevelopment in the city, the City Hall consists of an 18-story office building, an exterior plaza, and below-grade parking. But the focal point of the project is a transparent domed main entry that serves as a modern take on the traditional domes of historic buildings. The rotunda was designed to be the public meeting place of the complex. Boston City Hall Curbed Boston acknowledges that Boston’s City Hall has been “an architectural punching bag since its completion in 1968,” with many calling it the ugliest building in the city. Kallmann, McKinnell & Knowles, then professors at Columbia, won an international competition to design the civic hub and chose a brutalist design over traditional towers. Without the ornamentation of Victorian or Beaux-Arts buildings, it’s easy to see why some might decry the building’s massive concrete as, well, not “pretty.” But we appreciate the Boston City Hall for its bold Brutalist charm. It takes guts to design a city hall like no other—a blocky, geometric design that while imposing, is also heroic. Brutalism may not please everyone, but the architectural style captured a moment in time, and, as such, Boston City Hall deserves recognition on this list. Los Angeles City Hall Completed in 1928 and designed by John Parkinson, John C. Austin, and Albert C. Martin, Sr., Los Angeles City Hall sits downtown and remains the center of government in the city. The 32-story building contains an imposing central tower built with concrete mixed with sand from each of California’s 58 counties. Art Deco in style, the tower rises high into the sky and features an open-air observatory on the 27th floor. A ziggurat sits on top, and the design was modeled after the Mausoleum of Mausolus in Turkey. It remained the tallest structure in Los Angeles until 1964. Dallas City Hall Plans for a new city hall in Dallas, Texas, had been in the works since the 1940s, but they didn’t come into fruition until after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. In an effort to revitalize Dallas’s reputation after the tragedy, the city launched the Goals for Dallas program which included new city and federal offices. The fifth iteration of Dallas’s City Hall opened in 1978, and the city tapped the renowned modern architect I.M. Pei to design the building. The result was concrete and angled structure that remains controversial today. Giant oval columns support an inverted pyramid of concrete and glass, and the building also provides shade during the hot summer months. Some dislike the concrete and somewhat austere aesthetic; others praise the building for its innovation and creativity. Milwaukee City Hall Built-in 1895 at a cost of $1 million, Milwaukee’s City

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November 1, 2017 No Comments

The Magnificent Rawat Fort

The grand and majestic Rawat Fort stands distinguished in the Potohar Plateau, just 18 km east of Rawalpindi on GT Road. Among many narratives about the etymology of the word “Rawat”, the most widely accepted is its derivation from the Arabic word ‘rebaat’ meaning ‘Sarai’ or a roadside inn. For many of the recent historians, the structure of the building resembles an inn more than a fort. It may have been built in the Ghaznavid era, and then later on used as a roadside inn by ‘Salateen-e-Delhi. Its fortification happened in the 16th century, by the local Gakhar ruler Sultan Sarang Khan, an appointee of the Great Mughal Empire against Afghan king Sher Shah Suri. The region has been a battle place between the Gakhar chief and Sher Shah Suri, and resultantly offered the place for graves of the local knight and his two sons. The two entering gates and a quadrangular building with a dome serve a splendid look to the visitors. A conservation plan has been devised by the government to extract the genuine beauty of this dignified tourist spot. Documented By:Khurram FaridPrincipal Planner @ SeherSaaz.com

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October 1, 2017 No Comments

Census 2017 and New Challenges for Pakistan

Provisional reports of the sixth census are out for public consumption, which is positive news whatsoever. It is a constitutional obligation to be conducted after every ten years. This time it took almost two decades but finally conducted on the intervention of the apex court. We welcome this development and hope for its continuation at regular intervals, as it leads to fresh, agile, and vibrant policymaking. The results that have surfaced in this census report are something to raise eyebrows. Since the last census, in 1998, the country has witnessed a 57 percent hike in its population, with the current number at almost 208 million, becoming the world’s fifth-most populous country with India, China, the USA, and Indonesia at top of the list. The country’s rate of population growth is a 2.4% increase on annual basis, which is amongst the highest in all the developing countries. These figures demand a serious response from those involved in policy-making because when it is viewed with another figure of Pakistan’s number at Human Development Index, it becomes frightening, the country is ranked 147th in HDI, and that is amongst lowest in the region. According to a census report, 60pc of the population is below 30 years of age, while there are fewer economic opportunities available. This youth bulge was once called a ray of hope for the country, but recently they are being attributed as a bomb that can explode anytime in the future unless dealt with planning and wisdom. Another striking feature this census has revealed is the massive urbanization that has taken place in the last two decades. This huge but unplanned shift in the population can be damaging for society. And the result is obvious in terms of deteriorating living conditions in almost all the big cities of Pakistan. This demographic change is a great challenge for all the stakeholders including government and private institutions responsible for urban planning.The right approach to this census would be to prioritize this subject on our policy preferences. As the political wrangling getting even worse, it becomes individual responsibility to respond to the situation. Although it’s late we should think about population control before it’s too late. The country would look more pleasant if we adjust to the scarce resources we have got. Khurram Farid Published July-September Edition of IPP Newsletter

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September 1, 2017 No Comments

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