Introduction

Consultants Group scope of work in terms of stakeholder consultation is more of a facilitator and
Client has to lead in this respect. A series of stake holder’s consultations were planned and
conducted with an identified group where proposals of Urban Design were shared with the
participants for their valuable input. Stakeholder’s consultation has the potential of:

• Improving the quality of decision making, since those with a vested interest contribute from the initial stages
• Identifying controversial issues and difficulties before a decision is made;
• Bringing together different stakeholders with different opinions, enabling an agreement to be reached together
• Prevents opposition at a later stage, which may slow down the decision-making process
• Eliminate delays and reduce costs in the implementation phase
• Gives stakeholders a better understanding of the objectives of decisions and the issues surrounding them
• Creates a sense of ownership of decisions and measures, thus improving their acceptance.

Six Step Strategy for Consultation:

The six-step strategy is summarized as follows:

• Specify the issue(s) to be addressed
• Identify which stakeholders to involve
• Analyze the potential contribution of various stakeholders
• Set up an involvement strategy
• Consult identified stakeholders
• Evaluate and follow up

Consultation Process:

The Consultation as a Generic word here represents the three-cycle process adopted to carry out the whole Consultation process. This three-cycle process includes Focus Group Discussions, Discussion, and Consultation to finalize the public spaces design.

The following top to bottom approach has been adapted for feedback and integration:

• Community / users are informed about designs
• Collecting Inputs and suggestions
• Integrating inputs and solutions into designs
• Designs are presented for Finalization
• Including Final Input and Recommendations
• Finalzing Designs

The Consultation/coordination has also been carried out with the below-listed utility agencies /
Stakeholders:

Utility Agencies

• KMC – DMC South
• PTCL
• KWSB
• K – Electric
• SSGC

Mapping of Consultation Comments / Feedback

The brief of Coordination with Utility agencies is described in Chapter 04 in each section.
However, the detailed consultation with a user group and accompanying coordination with utility
agencies and its outcomes has been attached as Annexure – XI.

All of the consultations and coordination have been recorded in the form of Minutes of the meeting
to clearly understand the proceedings of the consultation at a later stage. Similarly, A Matrix of
stakeholder’s consultation has been prepared from the Mass consultation, This Matrix is used to
map the comments received from the stakeholders/users and the incorporation of their feedback in
the designs to shape the final Urban design. The Matrix has been attached as Annexure–XII.

Analysis of Gender-Specific Measures

Given the trends of exclusion and marginalization in Karachi, and to capture voices of different groups, it was dire essential to carry out Gender Specific Measures in stakeholder consultations for the proposed design. The consultations advocated a diversity in nature, therefore, potential barriers were identified and minimized during the process of consultation. The Women from all identified backgrounds constituted at least 50% in comparison to male participants of all the Consulted stakeholders. The break-down of consultation participation is delineated in Table 8.

This percentage included Female participants from under listed areas to maintain diversity and record varying yet important opinions/suggestions to be incorporated in Design.

• Women from associations, local arts centers, universities, and colleges
• End users; such as neighborhood occupants
• Civically engaged women and youth in the proposed neighborhood such as community-based organizations, civil society groups, women groups
• Hard to reach groups such as elderly, disabled, socially excluded groups, minority groups.

Concerns as a Beneficiary:

The Diversity in the participants no doubt put various yet difficult concerns before the Consultants
Group Urban Design team, However, the raising concerns from the participants reflected a great
sense of ownership of the project and it also helped in resolving numerous issues and addressing
the concerns. Following are the summarized concerns that were raised, the detailed
comments/concerns are jotted down in the Matrix attached as Annexure – XII.
1. Freedom of Movement
2. Security Concerns
3. Public Facilities
4. Daily Commute Facilitation (Bus Stops)
5. Solid Waste Disposal
6. Other Municipal Utilities

Impacts on Design:

The design is heterodox in nature as compared to Neo-classical approach because it accommodates user facilitation with a different perspective and a sense of place. The design is developed with an emphasis on Gender balanced criteria rather on Gender discrimination. The design has been refined and improved since its inception keeping in view the comments from different stakeholders. The detailed incorporation of comments and impacts are delineated in Annexure – XII under the Matrix.