Sunday breakfast at Denso Hall Rahguzar for Chief Secretary Mr Sohail Rajput and other dignitaries.
On Sunday 31 at the traditional street breakfast hosted by Architect Yameen Lari, at Denso Hall Rahguzar Walking Street, a significant gathering of those interest in regeneration of Karachi took place. The assembly consisted of Chief Secretary Mr. Sohail Rajput, Secretary Implementation, Mr. M. Khalid, DIG Sharjil Kharal and his friend from Jinnah Hospital, ex-banker and chairman HBFC Mr. Shehzad Naqvi, ex PSO Managing Director Mr. Tariq Kimani, Director HF Ms. Shanaz Ramzi, Karavan committee head Mr. Arif Bahalim, supporters of the Rahguzar Mr. Zain Fazal and Ms. Aasya Zain along with civil society member Ms. Shayma Saiyid.
The discussion focused on the present devasting urban flooding took place in the city and the search of viable solutions. It was considered important to see what sort of measures could be enforced in order to minimize flooding in the city and how the rahguzar model designed by Architect Lari could be replicated.
Lari had explained how the street was entirely low carbon and the concept was that no water should be drained on to surrounding roads, but the entire ensemble was designed to absorb its flood waters through terracotta tiles, porous pavement, aquifer wells and large areas of forests. Through this eco methodology we were able to not only drain our water into the soil, the rahguzar helped to absorb a vast amount of water from the surrounding MA Jinnah Road, Napier Road and the 3 katchi galis contiguous to the rahguzar.
Yasmeen Lari suggested three different strategies for implementation, which would all lead to participation by other stakeholders and foster a sense of ownership. She recommended dividing the city to be taken up under different methodologies, which was generally agreed upon:
1. Replication of the rahguzar along the Red Trail which was already notified by Commissioner Karachi’s office and that was designed in 13 segments. Since the first had been completed by Heritage Foundation, the others could be taken up in alternative segments in order to be least disruptive i.e., 6 to be taken up this year and another 6 next year. She suggested Government investment of 45% of civil works cost estimated at 1,900,000 with another 4k5% investment by banks ad 10% by shop keepers and local residents. A committee could be formed with DC South as Project Director with membership drawn from investor bankers and others to control all aspects. CS suggested forming an association or society to which government funds could be allocated, along with other funding to be controlled by Project Director. Each rahguzar committee could accordingly have control of the funds and their disbursement. Thus, for each segment a committee could be formed. Architect Lari informed that the role of Heritage Foundation would be to provide guidance, and relevant drawings etc. Thus, each rahguzar would have its own funding and implementation committee.
2. The second strategy would consist of encouraging corporate sector to take up areas in their vicinity and implement methodologies developed by Lari for minimizing flooding in the area. She suggested that Mr. Tariq Kiramni should help in engaging the present MD PSO to rehabilitate the area around the PSO House and also help to make the nallah into an effective aquifer well for absorbing the water in the area. Mr. Kirmani agreed to pursue the matter. If we were successful in getting the corporate sector engaged in the process, much could be done.
3. Development of a masterplan for dealing with catchment areas, low lying areas and parks etc. water reservoirs and wetlands could be developed to retain flood waters of the parks and reuse the water for their own use. Above all the waters generated within open spaces will no longer be drained on to roads to minimize road flooding. These could be funded and implemented by the government itself.
Other measures could include rain water harvesting by buildings to prevent water being discharged on roads. Also redesign of pavements to retain water into the soil rather than draining on roads.
4. She quoted the example of Kharadar chowk where people are removing their own encroachments voluntarily and where they are beginning to contribute to the development of the area as well as establishing the Kharadar Chowk Bagh. Such initiatives that involve the community as investors and stakeholders will go a long way in developing neighborhood enclaves by converting underused roads etc. for creating climate smart recreational spaces to be taken care of by people themselves.
5. CS Sohail Rajput said that meetings can be held on Saturdays in which various issues could be discussed. Secretary Implementation said he will arrange meetings for the following:
a. Selection of 6 segments on the Red Trail and to establish a structure for funding, disbursement and implementation.
b. Presentation of potential for corporate sector to finance and implement climate smart and flood prevention methodologies in their area.
c. Masterplan of the city for measures required for prevention of flooding.
d. Identification and mobilization of communities to take up flood prevention methodologies in their own areas at the Mohalla level.
