Experts Call for Urgent Urban Planning Reform Amidst Rising Monsoon Floods in Pakistan

Amid worsening monsoon floods, experts at the Urban Resource Centre urge reforms in urban planning. Highlighting issues like inadequate drainage and obstructed water flows, they call for long-term, people-centric solutions to prevent recurrent flooding in Pakistani cities, emphasizing the importance of natural drainage restoration and effective emergency response strategies.

At the Urban Resource Centre's session on Tuesday, key experts including architect Arif Hasan and NED University's Dr. Noman Ahmed highlighted critical urban planning issues facing major Pakistani cities during monsoon rains, as reported by Dawn.

Professor Ahmed underscored the significant increase in average rainfall in cities such as Karachi and Lahore, where low-lying areas quickly succumb to flooding. He pointed out that poor planning has left rainwater drains dry and streets inundated, exacerbated by new developments blocking natural water channels.

Arif Hasan illustrated how settlements disrupt natural water flows, citing blocked drainage systems as a major concern. Both experts stressed the need for comprehensive strategies and people-centric solutions to address these chronic issues, especially as global warming intensifies rainfall patterns.