PRIVATE housing societies right across the country are rapidly expanding, often with very little regard for green spaces or sustainable urban planning.

As such, in many cases, if not all, the focus is purely and squarely on maximising commercial returns, leaving behind concretejunglesinstead of any thoughtfully designed community.

What is encouraging, however, is that some foreign investors in the real estate sector are setting a far more responsibleexample in this regard. Their developments often include adequate green zones, community infrastructure, and long-term planning all of which should be standard practice, not exceptions.

Unchecked development not only disrupts urban planning, but also deprives future generations of a liveable environment. While regulatory bodies must support economic activity, they must also do their part in terms of enforcing sustainable development standards.

It is disheartening to see the authorities simply focussing on extracting revenues or working hand-in-hand with noncompliant developers rather than enforcing environmental and zoning regulations.

If Pakistan`s real estate sector is to flourish in a meaningful and responsible way, it must be built on transparency, sustainability and long-term vision; not just short-term profits.

Sustainable development should not be an afterthought; it must be a core principle guiding allfuture realestate projects.

Shahzeb Hammad Islamabad