Workshop on Sustainable Urbanization in KP(5 October 2017)

As part of the CoP on Sustainable Urbanization in KP, on April 17, 2017 a mini-CoP meeting was held at UPU(Urban Policy and Planning Unit ) Peshawar with representatives from UNDP, including Taimur Khilji from UNDP Bangkok, ED and other employees from UPU and some CoP members in attendance. Among several other existing and new ideas, the group agreed on organizing a workshop on the opportunities and challenges of urbanization in KP in collaboration with the Departments of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Peshawar (DURP, UoP). This open discussion will take place at the Sir Shahibzada Abdul Qayum auditorium UoP and in the presence of youth and students from the several leading universities of Peshawar. Students and youth will have the opportunity to ask the expert CoP members questions and will also be abler to propose solutions to issues due to urbanization. As a side output of the CoP, this activity is expected to raise awareness among the youth about urbanization. It was proposed that Dr. Syed Akhtar Ali Shah, CoP member and Chairman Department of Urban and Regional Planning, UoP would lead the activity.

Three-day workshop on updating KP building bylaws held.

Peshawar:  A three-day workshop on “Updating Khyber Pakhtunkhwa building bylaws” was organized by the Urban Policy Unit, Planning & Development Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in collaboration with USAID to propose recommendations for updating the existing building bylaws of the Province.

Over 40 experts participated including the representatives of Peshawar Development Authority, Kaghan Development Authority, Mansehra Development Authority, Municipal Corporation Peshawar, UNHABITAT, WSSP, LG&RD Department, P&D Department, C&W Department, Cantonment Board Peshawar, CECOS University Peshawar and senior Architects and Consultants.

While speaking on the occasion, the Executive Director, Urban Policy Unit thanked the experts for contributing towards upgrading of the existing Building Byelaws of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by comparing the existing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Building Bye-laws with those of other national development authorities, identifying shortcomings and recommending changes.

Highlighting the importance of the workshop he informed the participants that their recommendations would ensure the health and safety of citizens in residential, commercial, educational and health facilities of the province. These Building Bylaws would provide guidance and regulations for the architects, planners and the building control agencies to remove the ambiguities.