LAHORE: The New Master Plan-2050 for the Lahore city district has come into force after the Lahore Development Authority notified it for the public at large. The plan envisages a new city centre in Gulberg and contains details of the city’s future growth/expansion, settlement and plans.

“The issuance of notification for the adjoining districts of Lahore division — Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib may take some time due to some technical, legal and administrative issues,” an official source in the LDA, requesting anonymity, told Dawn on Friday.

The notification states the LDA, in its governing body meeting on Dec 21, presided over by Chief Minister Parvez Elahi approved the master plan under LDA Act 1975 and LDA Master Plan Rules 2014. It includes a regional plan of Lahore Division as well as master plans of major urban settlements falling within the division. It revealed that in case of the Lahore district, a new planned northern area within district Sheikhupura has been planned to accommodate the growing population of the former. For the three districts of Sheikhupura, Nankana and Kasur, master plans of major urban settlements had been prepared.

“Plans and policies of other authorities notified by the Punjab government (Walled City of Lahore Authority, Punjab Central Business Districts Development Authority and Ravi Urban Development Authority) have been incorporated in this plan. In the case of Ruda, only Phase-I has been incorporated at this stage. Plans and policies of the local governments concerned have also been included,” explains the notification. It says limited sprawl over natural and agricultural land was achieved through the establishment of urban growth boundaries also named as peri-urban boundaries of the districts.

The notification mentions that in case of newly proposed residential zones/areas for the Lahore district, 20pc area shall be reserved for open spaces. Environment betterment fee at the rate of Rs100,000 per kanal shall be charged for new projects proposed in residential zones. The amount will contribute to the green projects for reducing the impact of development on the environment.

It states that national strategic policies, including restricted area under Army Policy, shall be followed and rural support centres would be provided to meet the needs of the rural areas within a radius of five to six kilometers.

The proposed new city centre (Gulberg) within Lahore will be launched by the LDA after preparation of a plan. Similarly, planning of proposed residential zones shall continue by the LDA as per requirement.

“Under the plan, the LDA will initiate projects of transit-oriented development and urban regeneration,” the notification says, revealing that a regional ring road and a parallel rail network had also been proposed. The industries having obnoxious effects would be gradually shifted to industrial zones while small and cottage industries having no major environmental impact may continue after approval from relevant departments.

The master plan will be reviewed in 2030 and 2040. In the case of Lahore district, northern area would be reviewed in 2030 and development would be allowed afterwards. The plan pledges protection of cultural/heritage sites by providing a 200 foot wide buffer. For new housing schemes, approval would be conditional to a proper mechanism for rainwater harvesting.

“The plan shall be enforced with immediate effect and shall supersede all existing master plans, outline development plan, structure plan, site development plans etc,” concludes the notification.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2022