Date:
Report of Consultation Meeting on Final Design of Redevelopment Kharadar Locality Sub-Project @ CPLC South
The major stakeholder groups are divided into primary and secondary groups based on the following two factors:
The subproject area is an educational and cultural hub including education institutions such as DJ Science College, NED University City Campus, SM Arts and SM Law College and Cultural buildings such as National Museum and Burns Garden and Arts Council. There are five roads included in the subproject area which are used by the people attending the above institutions, transport providers (private rickshaws and a few public buses), and pedestrians walking from the neighborhood. These people are the direct beneficiaries of the subproject interventions and considered as Primary stakeholders.
Secondary Stakeholders – Indirect Beneficiaries
There are 30-35 households living in apartments and 25-30 shops on the ground floor of these apartments located along Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road and Strachan Road. The households and shops are not included in subproject area, but these shops and HHs use the subproject roads for commuting. Stakeholders also include, line agencies such as K-Electric, KWSB, SSGC and PTCL and Department of Antiquities, GOS, DMC South, Hindu Community and Transport Ittehad. These stakeholders are indirect beneficiaries of the subproject interventions and considered as secondary stakeholders.
Guide for Consultation – Base Matrix | |||
Information Shared | Feedback / Comments | Actions to be taken | Design Modifications |
Background information of the subproject including parking plan | Problem of parking along the streets | Adequate parking space to be provided to cater the area vehicles parking | In addition to provision of 400 cars parking at Shahrah-e-Kamal, one lane of MR Kiyani Road and Dr. Ziauddin Road is dedicated for parking |
Background information of the subproject including roads cross-sections | Access of locals and pedestrians in project interventions | Adequate and continuous access to be provided during construction to all project beneficiaries | Revised road cross-sections show that the proposed development on the roads will not utilize the whole width of existing roads and left footpath of varying width which will be used as access. |
Background information of the subproject including development of student piazzas | Security measures should be provided at all pedestrianized places and student piazzas | Security measures i.e. CCTV cameras installation and monitoring, are already included in the plan | No need for design modifications. |
Background information of the subproject including subproject interventions | Project delay and long construction time | CC and PIU to follow the subproject schedule in letter and spirit. Also construction along the roads and in the excavations should be completed as fast as possible. | – |
Background information of the subproject including subproject interventions | Extensive measures should be taken during excavation of Shahrah-e-Kamal | Measures devised in section 6.3.3.9 to be implemented. | Protection of excavation through different technique is included in the design. |
Background information of the pedestrian crossing and signals plan | Lack of traffic signals near educational institutions | Pedestrian signal crossings to be included near the educational institutions | No need for design modifications. |
Background information of the subproject including parking plan | Unavailability Parking space for the students | Adequate parking space to be provided to cater the area vehicles parking | In addition to provision of 400 cars parking at Shahrah-e-Kamal, one lane of MR Kiyani Road and Dr. Ziauddin Road is dedicated for parking |
Background information of the project including rehabilitation of roads plan and stormwater drainage | Road levels should not be increased from the buildings such that the stormwater makes ingress into the buildings. | Existing road levels to be maintained with proper stromwater drainage system | Already included in the design. |
Background information of the project including rehabilitation of utilities | New water lines should be laid carefully and to avoid damaging existing lines. | While working near water mains, KWSB to be taken on-board and KWSB site engineers to be present at the site to locate the water mains. | – |
Background information of the project including rehabilitation of utilities | Traffic rerouting should be implemented during rehabilitation of utilities. | Traffic management and rerouting plan to be developed by CC in consultation with GoS departments. | – |
Background information of the project including rehabilitation of utilities | It is most important that the KWSB to be taken on board during construction and a site engineer of KWSB will be present at all times | It is to be ensured (letter of consent / MOU to be taken) before construction that KWSB is taken onboard during rehabilitation of water and sewerage | – |
Background information of the project including rerouting plan in operation phase | Traffic congestion on roads | Reduction of traffic congestion by on-way traffic segregation | It is included in the design that to separate the traffic as one-way movement on main roads |
For subproject area, a series of targeted consultations (interviews) as presented below were conducted with primary stakeholders. The summary of concerns of stakeholders raised during interviews is presented as follows:
The principal said that the development should be going on for the betterment of the area and the people. We are with the proposed project and present here to provide any support to the government if need be.
The Principal had an opinion that all the residential and commercial buildings must have their own parking. But now the buildings are constructed, the problem of parking existed. Regarding the development of student piazzas, the piazzas must not be closed with grills and can also be accessed by pedestrians. Also they should be monitored by CCTV cameras as to address law and order and security needs and concerns.
Dr. Noman had a view that ongoing Government of Sindh projects in the neighborhood should be linked with this project and an overall impact assessment for the whole Saddar or in fact Karachi will be assessed. ESMP Consultant explained that an ESMF has been developed for the interventions proposed under KNIP, to be implemented in select localities of Karachi.
Prof. Shehzad Muslim had a view that due to the large pedestrian movement and traffic congestion in the area, people may suffer in case the project is delayed. It should therefore be completed on time and construction timeline should be limited as to lessen the time period of disturbance. He enquired about the potential impacts on the surrounding areas, if this area is uplifted and others left unattended. ESMP Consultant explained that the project will be implemented in overall Saddar and some other parts of Karachi after completion of this subproject. He was of the opinion that extensive measures should be taken during excavation of Shahrah-e-Kamal.
Targeted consultations were conducted with students (name list provided below) of educational institutions located in subproject area (dates for consultations of each institution is provided in below table) and students were asked about the problems they are facing from the current situation of the area and suggestions they may have for the project during the construction phase.
Following are the problems faced by the students:
Following are the suggestions proposed by students to minimize the problems that may arise during construction phase:
A consultation session was arranged at DJ College Conference Hall focusing Saddar area generally and subproject area interventions specifically. Following participants were participated in the session:
Faculty of DJ Science College …………………………………………. 06 Members
Students of DJ Science College …………………………………………50 Students
Students described that they face problems like parking issues, no proper disposal system within the area etc. Traffic management, organizing parking, possible interventions such as enforcement of parking fee collection, adding cycling lanes, leveraging on municipal car parking structures could be option to cater the needs.
Almost every participant present in the Conference hall was touched that the idea should be focused for its present users who are mostly the Students but it can further be extended for tourists and others interested in socializing, cultural diversity, entertainment, and recreation etc.
Furthermore the students recommended the need of green areas, pedestrian friendly streets, increasing motivation for walkability, re-routing should be considered, existing vehicular patterns to be looked.
Almost all students agreed that the area be revived in accordance to its past glory which was dominated by its cultural diversity and intermixing of activities.
Principal DJ Science College then spread light over several issues like Traffic hazards faced by students, lack of organized open spaces, Unavailability of basic facilities like washroom, drinkable water, auditorium and other facilities to regard student facilitation.
A consultation session was arranged at NED (DAP) Conference Hall focusing Saddar area generally and subproject area interventions specifically.
Faculty of NED(DAP)…………………………………………. 20 Members
Students of NED (DAP)…………………………………………50 Students
Students actively responded to the thought, they discussed how they feel walkability of the area should be improved, through proper infrastructure and making eco-friendly environment.
Most participants felt that we are losing the character of old town and some action be initiated to not just preserve them but also for their adaptive reuse and sustainably.
The discussion was made on how to knit destinations of public visitation in a manner that promotes improved public access and through facilitating patterns of circulation that are pedestrian in nature rather than motorized.
Dr. Noman Ahmed in few words comprehensively described the historical background of Pakistan Chowk.
Consultation team met male and female teachers and staff (on the dates as mentioned below) of DJ College, SM Law and SM Arts College as well as Government servants of National Museum and local council and briefed them about the project. They were already aware of the proposed project and pointed out the following problems facing by them in that area:
The Staff suggested to address the above problems in the design of the project.
Mr. Mehmood, Mr. Rafique and Mr. Noor (KMC Charged Parking Employees, DMC South) has been consulted and briefed about the project. They said that the parking is managed by DMC South and if the government wants a development here, they will do it as DMCs are also working under GOS. We have no issues regarding the development as it should happen for the betterment of the area.
S No. |
Name |
Designation |
|
1 |
Muhammad Humaiyun |
Principal |
|
2 |
M. Sarfaraz |
Library Incharge |
|
The transporters have supported the proposed project as the existing situation is worse due to traffic jams and congestion on the road. They were of the view that roads should be one way as the existing two way roads get chocked at places where roads are damaged. Transporters, while providing feedback during interview, facing problems in the area includes damaged roads causing traffic jams, poor sewerage system at some locations which accumulates sewage on the roads etc.
Sp. Sectary who is responsible for implementation of Sindh Cultural Heritage Act said that there are few protected antiquities located in the project area like DJ Science College. The Sp. Sectary emphasized that however, the project interventions are outside the boundaries of protected antiquities, special care must be taken during construction phase that the protected sites must not be affected and also there should be no intrusion into the protected antiquities. Coordination with Antiquities department should be maintained by the developer during construction phase.
Issues highlighted by representative of Hindu Community residing in the neighborhood are, a) road levels should not be increased from the buildings such that the stormwater makes ingress into the buildings, b) The drainage system in Saddar is 30-40 years old and the lines should be revived and it will be make sure that the revived system should be sustained for 10-15 years and an MOU may be signed with the line agencies, c) old heritage building façade should be addressed and included in the project components.
Mr. Kazmi told that the project interventions should be planned based on the prepared ESMP and all mitigation measures will be taken. New water lines should be laid carefully and to avoid damaging existing lines. Traffic rerouting should be implemented during rehabilitation of utilities. It is most important that the KWSB to be taken on board during construction and a site engineer of KWSB will be present at all times.
A targeted consultation with Mr. Irshad Hussain Bukhari, President of Karachi Transport Association (Transport Ittehad) and its team was conducted by Design Consultant. Mr. Irshad emphasized that the development should be done and after developing the subproject area, the traffic congestion of the area will be eliminated. The area lacks road infrastructure like proper bus stops and pedestrian crossings that should be included in the design.
A targeted consultation with Mr Riaz Ahmed Soomro, Senior Business Manager / Director PTCL and its team was conducted by Design Consultant. The documents related to existing infrastructure will be shared with both teams and coordination support will be provided by PTCL during construction phase.
A targeted consultation with Ashfaque Ahmed (Transmission Manager, KE) and Ghullam Hussain Mallah (IBC Saddar Manager, KE) was conducted by Design Consultant. The documents related to existing infrastructure will be shared with both teams and coordination support will be provided by KE during construction phase.
A targeted consultation with Mr, Nadeem (AE, KW&SB) was conducted by Design Consultant. The documents related to existing infrastructure will be shared with both teams and coordination support will be provided by KWSB during construction phase.
A targeted consultation with Nadeem Qayyum (DGM (DIST) East and his team was conducted by Design Consultant. The documents related to existing infrastructure will be shared with both teams and coordination support will be provided by SSGC during construction phase.
Local communities, students and businesses are the direct beneficiaries of Educational and Cultural Zone (Priority Phase – I) Subproject. Community / students / businesses perceptions of the expected outcomes and the implementation process are necessary ingredients for ascertaining project success and adjustments to planned interventions. Moreover, organized community groups have an important role in promoting the program concepts and monitoring project activities at the local level.
Consultations with communities/students/businesses were carried out in line with the following objectives:
Consultations were conducted in subproject area with residents (16 no. of samples in the neighborhood), businesses (general shopkeepers of printing press, hardware, merchants, grocery stores, banks etc.) (14 no. of samples in the neighborhood) located outside the boundary of the subproject area. The consultations were conducted on 1st August and 15th August, 2017.
Generally, respondents had positive views for the proposed project interventions and they hoped that his time something could be seen improving, as compared with the previous unfulfilled promises and futile surveys and consultations. Benefits envisaged by the respondents are as follows:
The subproject area is an educational and cultural hub including education institutions such as DJ Science