ISLAMABAD, In an effort to emphasize the importance of cities and their pivotal role in shaping future urban landscapes, Shehersaaz celebrated the “World Cities Day” at the Earth Sciences Auditorium, Quaid-e-Azam University. With a theme of “Financing a Sustainable Urban Future for All,” the event was conducted in collaboration with UN-Habitat Pakistan, Adaptation Fund, and Quaid-e-Azam University, and saw participation from experts, artists, and enthusiasts passionate about urban living.
According to Media Consultant to CM Sindh, the day’s proceedings featured insightful panel discussions with esteemed experts like Mr. Jawed Ali Khan, Country Program Manager UN-Habitat Pakistan, Mr. Azhar Ul Islam from the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries, and several others.
The event was initiated with remarks from Shehersaaz’s Executive Director, Ms. Almas Shakoor, urging immediate action to reform current urban planning and management strategies. Anahita Sajjad, also from Shehersaaz, furthered this sentiment by reading out the UN Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres’s message for the occasion, which highlighted the need for sustainable, resilient, and prosperous urban areas.
A major takeaway from the event was the keynote by Mr. Jawed Ali Khan. He shed light on the challenges of 21st-century cities and underlined the importance of sustainable and inclusive urban development. Furthermore, he informed the attendees about UN-Habitat’s successful Low Carbon Urban Development project in Karachi, which had been nominated for a Global Award at the upcoming COP28.
Contributions from other panelists offered a diverse set of perspectives on urbanization. While Mr. Azhar spoke about the untapped potential of the private sector, Mr. Abbas provided a historical context, focusing on Pakistan’s journey of urbanization since the Green Revolution. Various solutions, such as empowering local governments and ensuring reliable data for city planning, were proposed during the discussions.
Towards the conclusion, artists showcased their vision of ‘ideal cities’ through their artwork, providing a visual representation of the day’s deliberations and aspirations.