LAHORE: Urban experts and other participants in a seminar were unanimous on Saturday that Lahore`s governing institutions should have the capacity to adapt, innovate and respond to the challenges of urban sprawl.

The seminar titled `Lahore Vision-2035` was organised jointly by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Center for PublicPolicy and Governance (CPPG) of the Forman Christian College and the Punjab government`s Urban Unit here at a local hotel.

`Urban development in Lahore, the largest city in Punjab, can serve as a model for other towns and cities that can replicate or adapt the strategies practiced here,` USAID Provincial Director (Punjab) Mr Jeffrey Bakken said on the occasion.

He reiterated that USAID was committed to providing technical assistance to the CPPG in urbanpolicy reforms to develop the region.

He said the Lahore Vision-2035 had been launched with a series of public seminars in the city.

Lahore Vision 2035, is aimed at evolving a plan for sustainable development that is environmentallyfriendly, equitable and inclusive.

Representatives of USAID Pakistan, key stakeholders from the Pakistani government, industry leaders, and representatives from corporate, non-profit and academic institutions attended the event.

`Such events will surely give thestakeholders in Lahore an opportunity to share their vision for the metropolis in the coming decades, Mr Bakkan added.

He said the overall initiative sought transformation of Lahore into a `citizen-centric` city by 2035, where the government institutions responded to residents` needs in an inclusive and equitable manner, and services were delivered efficiently and sustainably with environment-friendly practices at the centre of development.

While giving her input, Ms Khalida Ahson, a CPPG`s research fellow on civic and other issues, said the situation called for developing a governance framework, management strategies and institutions that could help local administrators to work with a vision to improve quality of life of the citizens.

`Good governance allows citizens to use their talents fully; it can mark the difference between a well-managed and inclusive city and one that is not. The estimated population of Lahore city is around nine million and of Lahore Division about 15 million, which is expected to be doubled in the next twenty five years or so. Thus about 18 million people (of Lahore) or 30 million (of Lahore Division) would be living here by 2035,` she said while giving a presentation on the Governance and Management of Lahore.

She said if the current trend of unplanned and unregulated growth continued, another city would be required to accommodate the Lahore`s population. It would still have poor quality of life and services delivery, she said. The main challenge was to provide adequate public services and job opportunities to residents, including the marginalised sections, she added.

While envisioning a sustainable Lahore with regards to urban sustainability, she said it was important to under-stand it in a broader spectrum. `It includes four pillars: social development; environmental management, economic development; effective urban governance. She recommended smaller urban settlements, designing criteriaforprogress of the city by identifying particular challenges and opportunities and prioritising these through all stakeholders.

`This all should be done by adopting the local economic development theory and involving local decision making, resources and strength, said Dr Imdad Hussain, an expert of the CPPG.

Mr Anwar Ali of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry`s standing committee on transport said a good and sustainable infrastructure was a must for improving trade in Lahore.

`Actually, we are planning and executing many things wrongly. I heard that the CDGL planned to shift Badami Bagh fruit and vegetable market to Lakhu Dero near Ring Road. The area is just five kilometres away from the existing market. Why the government don`t plan to shift it to Kalashah Kaku and other remote areas. If it decides to do so, the city can avoid massive traffic jams caused due to heavy traffic passing through the urban areas,` he said.