The Urban Unit on Thursday presented options for low-cost housing schemes to Punjab Housing Minister Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed.
The minister had earlier sought a feasibility plan for five million houses under the prime minister’s initiative.
The presentation included design options, construction details, construction material choices, identification of cities with acute shortage of housing for the poor across Punjab.
During the presentation at The Urban Unit, Lahore Development Authority Vice Chairman SM Imran, The Urban Unit CEO Salman Hashmi, COO Abid Hussaini and others were also present.
Nadia Qureshi, senior specialist urban architecture, presented the proposed vertically expanded small units in four-storey buildings in order to make optimum use of the space available.
She also shared design structure and its financial costing models along with details of per unit scale inclusive of development charges on state land.
The Urban Unit also shared comprehensive construction models of small houses and apartments in Sialkot, Chiniot, Lodhran, Okara and Renala Khurd while proposing 20 percent subsidy for the poor. The Urban Unit’s planning team stated that the construction cost per unit rate could be brought down to as low as Rs 1,040000 to Rs 800,000.
‘Khuda ki Basti’ in Hyderabad was presented as a successful case study before the Punjab government for construction phase. The Unit stressed the need to mobilise the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) for the purpose.
Speaking to the media, the minister said that The Urban Unit had come up with some exceptional designs and feasibility of low-cost housing options, which was very much commendable.
“We will initiate the housing plan by offering 3-5 marla low-cost residences in the first phase in Faisalabad and Multan.” For the purpose, the minister said that the government would offer land to private developers, companies and investors on subsidized rates to build houses.
The minster added that the suggestion of making New Pakistan Housing Authority was also under consideration. “For financial feasibility, negotiations with Bank of Punjab, Meezan Bank and House Building Finance Corporations are underway,” he told the media.
He added that the government would provide structured houses and in first week of January 2019 Prime Minster Imran Khan will officially announce the plan. “An authority will also be established for the purpose, which will be headed by the prime minister.
Published in Daily Times, November 30th 2018.