Visioning Karachi

THERE is an ongoing heated debate centred on the need, or otherwise, of enacting a new constitutional construct for Karachi. The tone of the debate is mostly political, rooted in the never-ending power- and resource-sharing conflicts between the federation and provinces. As always, these political contestations lack focus on what really ails this city. Karachi presently stands out as the antithesis of a liveable city. Sprawling endlessly, automobile-dependent, with half the population living in slums, and rapidly losing its green cover — this is the current state of urban affairs. However, arguments over the city’s plight, despite being confrontational, can, if properly channelled, offer a much-needed opportunity to forge a multi-stakeholder conversation around real issues. There are some critical prerequisites meriting attention prior to initiating any master planning or development. To begin with, in a city where even the population figures are disputed, there is an urgent need to transparently document the city, thoroughly and consistently. This can lead to the creation of centralised databanks at appropriate levels of city governance, accessible to common citizens. Then there are issues of political stability and clean and effective governance. Forging a political consensus for urban reforms, and crafting a shared vision for the future will be a critical enabler for ensuring law and order and sustainability of policy, planning and project-based interventions. Plans can only succeed when a city government is empowered with the requisite legitimacy, powers and willingness to be accountable to its citizens. A divided city cannot become a sustainable city. The governance construct needs a rethink. In cities globally, the government — rather than being the sole provider — has now become more a guarantor, insisting that all are provided for. This transformation creates space for informal actors to become part of the governance process. In Karachi, wherever the levers