I came up with this rare and useful dataset on the Shell Pakistan Limited Website. In recent years, private housing societies are being developed rapidly in all major cities of the country. Demand for housing has increased many folds in Pakistan due to shortage of supply and decay of the existing stock. However, majority of this new housing stock is being developed and supplied by private developers. All new plots are usually a form of land subdivision where housing units are carved out of a compact land parcel of various sizes.
However, very few people in Pakistan know about what things should be checked before buying a residential plot in a housing society. Due to this lack of knowledge, the housing developers are able to sell poorly planned and sometimes questionable projects to local population. It is hard to find the guidelines for buying houses, but we can find house marketing advertisement in almost every media. So i thought to share my thinking as a town planner on 'What to check if someone wants to buy a plot in a housing society". I will mainly focus on the technical aspects from urban planning perspective, which i think every buyer should consider before spending his or her life time savings. Following checklist is very important to ensure the legitimacy and quality of the housing society and your potential plot before committing any income in it:
I started writing this post because i could not fell a sleep in the bed. Its 1:51 am tomorrow is a big working day for me. As Monday is always. So i will write more in later post. Stay tuned. Goodnight! To be continued. Today i read an article on a blog page “Leena and Luna,” a Questionable Publisher from Japan" . I was curious about it and within minutes i found that this Questionable practice is being done from Pakistan, Sadly.
Somewhere in the City of Lodhran, there is a headquarter of SAVAP International that publishes Academic Research International (ARInt.), A substandard scholarly publishing company http://www.savap.org.pk/ I have received multiple email invites from them to submit my articles for their new journal. Although i am a student and it is really challenging task to write for a journal. But they Guarantee Publishing your articles online. These publishers have the same boss, as another substandard publisher Leena & Luna International that is pretending to be publishing from Japan. http://www.leena-luna.co.jp/executive_board.php Note the guys on Leea-Luna, Mr. Ashraf and Mr. Akbar are same as in the ARInt.'s picture here: http://www.savap.org.pk/board.html Althoug both Websites do not mention the detailed CV of Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Malik,PhD, Founder Chairman of SAVAP International, after one google search i found his CV here: www.iub.edu.pk/jer/CV_M_Ashraf_Malik.doc Sadly, The Chairman is a graduate of Islamia University Bahawalpur and has many teachers from that university on his journal's editorial board. Although his picture is not big enough on the SAVAP Page, another search can give the higher resoulution picture of the Founder Chairman, Here. http://www.savap.org.pk/images/pic_5.jpg They Charge huge amount (105 USD) for online publicationg of a manuscript and additional 30 USD for its hard copy. However, majority of their authors are either from all over Pakistan (Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, etc) or from other developing countries. Sadly, their journal is a Z category journal in HEC list because the organizers have manged to bring many professors, Deans and a couple of Rectors on editorial board probably with some monetary benefits. Because who does not want easy money and fame in Pakistan. Shockingly, this oniline website of 'badly phrased letters' is good enough for some promotions and BPS appointment in the academic institutions on HEC criteria, although it is of no use outside world... So pay a few thousand to these 'Publishers' and become eligible overnight...yes overnight because they are hosting 'publications' online and open access..... So beware of these frauds. Save your money and effort for some better work! I paste some of my screen clippings from both websites SAVAP and LEENA-LUNA. A few days ago, i presented my ongoing research work on "Public Transportation Disadvantage in Rawalpindi and Islamabad" at the International Conference on Town Planning and Urban Management 2014, held from 29-30 September, 2014 in UET Lahore. (I sent recording of my presentation and was available for Q&A session over the internet). Specifically targeted for urban management issue, the conference was attended by leading urban planners of the country. The conference proceedings will be published soon. In case if you would like to have a look video presentation, you can get it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ-qLhAUPv4. You are welcome to contact me for the copy of paper as well. District level data from Punjab, Gilgit Baltistan and AJK. I am surprised that KPK and Sindh are not communicating any of their data to NDMA. Majority of flood hit areas are found in punjab, especially gujranwala division. source: NDMA, http://www.ndma.gov.pk/new/Documents/sitrep-11-9-2014.pdf I just finished reading a DAWN article "Shoring up coastal settlements" where respected author addresses the logic of coastal development (In Pakistan???) with the question" Is it wise to develop coastal settlements when faced with threats with rise in sea level?"
It further tries to strength arguments with a list of reasons, i put below; however ends up advising against any development along coastal areas. However, there are many issues with his argument and conclusion, i put the few of them below:-
And many more issues, I am surprised that he advises against develoment when Europe will be among the first ones to be hit (if at all). In Pakistan we have a 'climate change division' in the Planning Commission of Pakistan. Well, floods in Pakistan have been historically linked with monsoon, and are permanent. rather than exploring its causes, Pakistan government finds its easy and interesting and profiting to attribute it to some 'climate change'. Last year i wrote about a number of universities offering City and Regional Planning Degrees without Accreditation from the PCATP Pakistan. This year, i am afraid that the number of such universities and the programs is increasing with time. It is difficult to say that whether PCATP, the official beholder of the quality of education in Architecture and planning, has failed to stem the growth of such ventures or whether it is impossible to stop this 'unaccredited revolution' in urban planning education. It is interesting to note that these degrees are mostly offered in Punjab, that houses 60 % of country's population and its number of university goers also seem high. B.Sc in CRP has its charm; it is more useful to be graduate of CRP rather than B.Sc in general science or with a plain BA. Job is relatively easier with CRP degree, although its graduate may end up as Assistant Planners, or back-stage full planners until their universities will be successful in turning the tides and winning PCATP approval. Anyway, the students can work overseas as well. and hopefully they will not suffer such huge set back as in Pakistan. I also wish to point out that whether it will be useful at all for PCATP to limit its accreditation? Quality of education will be a concern but PCATP will have to work much more harder than ever before to ensure quality of education and at the same time, not being culprit of sidelining new universities and denying new students to learn urban planning in the country. Private universities are teaching Engineering programs anyway. Why not let more universities teach architecture and urban planning? It now seems a possibility that some programs succeed in getting PCATP accreditation because of influential bosses and experts in the universities that start unaccredited programs. List of universities offering unaccredited programs in City and Regional Planning in Pakistan is increasing with time Source: PCATP Alert on Dawn 18-7-2014
http://epaper.dawn.com/Advt.php?StoryImage=18_07_2014_011_016 http://www.ndma.gov.pk/new/Documents/sitrep-8-9-2014.pdf
Government of Sindh issued flood risk warning at Gaddu and Sukkur on 7-9-2014, with 'high' to 'very high' level of floods in Sukkur on 13th and 14 September. Similar warning has been issued in Punjab. Upcoming flood forecast in Sukkur and Guddu, Pakistan September 2014 source: http://pdma.gos.pk/new/Docs/monsoon2014/7-9-14FloodAlert1.pdf what remains poorly done? communication!!!Information communication remains incomplete, inappropriate, and inconsistent. I do not think that people will be preparing for the coming disaster as public access to information or spread of information remains low. Similarly, in the flood effected districts of Punjab like my own district Gujranwala and neighbouring Sialkot District, no one knows that what will happen tomorrow. There is a limited or nearly no information on daily updates on losses / flood spread and nearly no information on potential situation on the days to come. I want to state that the online access to flood forecast data remains stark in the country. Provincial and National Disaster management Authorities (PDMA/NDMA) seem less interested in updating public real time over the internet or on the news Media.For example, PDMA Sindh website has not updated its information on flooding levels and losses on their website. PDMA KPK's last update on 'MONSOON WEATHER/RIVER SITUATIONS' is of 5.9.2014.http://www.pdma.gov.pk/recent_updates/wr_5.9.14.pdf I mention another flood warning issued today:- GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN PAKISTAN METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT FLOOD FORECASTING DIVISION 46-JAIL ROAD LAHORE Sr.No.:17 Dated:Monday, September 08, 2014 SIGNIFICANT FLOOD FORECAST FOR RIVER CHENAB AT PUNJNAD River Chenab at Punjnad is likely to attain 6,00,000 to 7,00,000 Cusecs Exceptionally High Flood Level during the period from 1200 PST of 12-09-2014 to 1200 PST of 15-09-2014. Under this condition Districts T.T.Singh, Khaniwal, Layya , Muzaffarghar & Multan are likely to be inundated. All concerned authorities are requested to take all necessary measures to avoid any loss of life and property. Time of issue: 1500 PST MUHAMMAD RIAZ Chief Meteorologist FFD, Lahore 042-99200139, 99205367 Distribution:
What Is totally Missing? Rapid information communicationIt is important to note that people in the effected area have not been told for the coming disaster. The post has not been sent to Media channels' and not even on the national news channels like PTV. The users in flood effected areas are particularly deprived off in access to information. They are relying on news channels and personal effort through Mobile Phone use. The first media, The news channels' give selective information; that is often incomplete, too much holistic or only cover selected areas;Settlements are not being covered individually as they should have been. I think an NGO or even a news media can make a dedicated office or media stream e.g. online / or even reserve specific hours just to cover the disaster related updates as they covered the political elections in 2013 where each political unit was discussed and monitored for vote casting. I wish our electronic media could make a flood-response room and contribute to national disaster preparedness program as it seems that our government servants do not seem to cover all the areas/ all the people and army is doing its best as well. Media / News channels need to play an active role in information spread for proper disaster response and preparedness. Probably a good example of information communication is from Punjab, as NDMA has updated about the level of water and losses in Punjab province avaiable athttp://www.ndma.gov.pk/new/Documents/sitrep-7-9-2014.pdf Pakistan flooding 2014- Information spread by internet volunteers in effected cities- Example from WazirabadI wish to mention that a facebook webpage's volunteer worker in the city of Wazriabad (Punjab) took several pictures of the flooding in the city and posted on the city's facebook page developed by volunteers. All the people outside the city and even those within the city are updating their knowledge through that page. I paste some of its photos below. News media has totally ignored the situation in the city. Mobile network channels are not even giving the correct information. either it is not updated or is incorrect, as seen from this post "What the Hell is that A SMS is received by many people on telenor network. The SMS is that "Khanki per nihayat unchy darjy ka sailab h lehaza tmam logo ko hdayt ki jati h k mehfuz muqam py shift ho jaey ye pegan apny tmam hamsayo ko b pohnchaey management authority hakumat e punjab" but According to us wazirabad safe hai..... i think Govt k SMS late arahy hai...... #Jasim" Making a network of internet volunteers to monitor the flooding situation in urban / rural areas might be Really useful in pakistan, as apparent from the discussion on social media between volunteers and the effected / concerned population.A review of the information upload by the flood-volunteers show that in comparison to normal uploads, disaster related information gets more information, higher number of shares as there is limited alternate source of information in the country. Media and internet volunteer's network can play a strong role in disaster mitigation in the country for the ongoing flooding and many sad events to come in future
Karachi is among the fastest growing mega cities of the world. Expected to reach at No. 7 from current rank of 12 that was 22 in year 1990. Source: A recent UN Report http://esa.un.org/unpd/wup/Highlights/WUP2014-Highlights.pdf Shows Decrease In Young Population And Increase In Ageing In 2030 there will be approx. 9 % Elederly above 60, versus 6 % in 2013 data source: FBS Pakistan, for data table, please write to me.
Gone are the days when bicycle was the most common mode of transportation in Pakistan. Now comes Motorcycle at first; Bicycle at 2nd Car at 3rd; Surprising fact: Motorcycle is more common that computer, internet, room air-coolar and sofa in the home. here are the excerpts from the latest Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (2013), p.14: Source:
PAKISTAN DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEY 2012-13: National Institute of Population Studies, Islamabad, Pakistan •Graphs showing percent households with vehicle ownership by area •Data from nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS ) of year 1990, 2006, 2012 •generally, bicycles are decreasing and automobiles are increasing, further explaination to follow soon .for data, please send an email to me. attached is the ms excel file that can be used for estimating BRT project costs in Pakistan. |
13._brt_infrastructure_cost_calculator.xls | |
File Size: | 39 kb |
File Type: | xls |
http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-255191-KP-plans-Peshawar-Metro-at-much-higher-cost-than-Pindi
ICT police station location
ICT Islamabad location of polling stations
NA-48 and NA-49 maps of Islmabad
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Discussions on social, transportation and urban planning issues with a focus on Pakistan.
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The writer is an urban planner, a teacher and a doctoral candidate the latest!I moderate comments, to block spam. I will reply to e-mails and tweets (and approve and reply to comments) as soon as possible.
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