Bureau Report
Karachi: The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), in collaboration with NED University of Engineering and Technology and with financial support from the Government of the Netherlands, convened a National Workshop to present the findings of a socio-economic baseline assessment and discuss pathways for advancing inclusive urban development in Pakistan.
The workshop marked the dissemination of findings from the baseline assessment conducted under the project Harmonizing Refugees and Host Communities in Urban Slums in Pakistan for Peaceful Coexistence and Social, Gender-Positive Inclusiveness. The assessment examined socio-economic conditions, access to basic services, infrastructure gaps, livelihood opportunities and development priorities in selected informal settlements across Karachi, Peshawar, Kohat, Haripur and Quetta, providing an evidence base to support more inclusive, responsive and sustainable urban development.
The event brought together representatives from Federal and Provincial governments, development partners, academia, civil society and urban practitioners to review the assessment findings and explore evidence-based approaches for strengthening urban planning, service delivery and community resilience. The programme featured presentations on the assessment methodology and key findings, followed by a panel discussion on their implications for policy and future interventions.
Opening the workshop, Waqar Syed, Country Programme Manager, UN-Habitat Pakistan, underscored the importance of evidence-based planning and multi-stakeholder collaboration in addressing the complex challenges facing vulnerable urban communities.
Participants emphasized that informal settlements are an integral part of Pakistan’s urban landscape and highlighted the need for integrated approaches that improve access to basic services, strengthen livelihood opportunities, promote social cohesion and enhance community resilience. Discussions also underscored the importance of inclusive urban policies, community participation and coordinated institutional action to support sustainable and equitable urban development.
Professor Dr. Noman Ahmed, Pro Vice Chancellor of NED University of Engineering and Technology, highlighted the importance of research and academic partnerships in generating evidence to inform urban policy and planning. Government representatives also reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative approaches that translate research findings into practical interventions for vulnerable communities.
Speaking at the workshop, Syed Najmi Alam, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh on Human Settlements, Spatial Development and Social Housing, emphasized that efforts to improve informal settlements should extend beyond regularization. He stressed the importance of improving living standards, expanding access to basic services and livelihood opportunities, and raising community awareness as essential elements of inclusive and sustainable urban development.
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to use the baseline assessment to inform future policies, programmes and settlement upgrading initiatives, while strengthening partnerships among government institutions, development partners, academia and communities to advance inclusive and sustainable urban development across Pakistan.
