Vertical cities are the future of sustainable growth and one of the key factors in tackling the menacing threats of global warming. As the population is increasing, the need for more living space is also increasing. Expansion of horizontal projects to comply with overpopulation burns out many natural resources and green space, limiting the chances of using the land space effectively for communities’ well-being and contributing to climate change. Pakistan, the fifth most populous country in the world, also faces a housing shortage due to overpopulation. The migration of a large number of people from rural to urban areas cramps the cities and leads to their expansion. As a result, the green belts encroach, and slums are extended. Even then, the increasing housing demand is not catered to due to a lack of urban planning and less supply of housing units. To meet the increasing housing demands in the country, vertical cities are the solution. Vertical cities use limited space to accommodate a large number of people. Where most housing projects in the country are directed to the middle or upper class, vertical infrastructure allows the availability of low-cost houses for the lower class.
Moreover, the development of vertical cities will create job opportunities and improve the efficiency of the real estate sector, resulting in an economic boom in Pakistan. Developing countries like Pakistan should follow in the footsteps of developed countries, which focus more on vertical development. It will solve the ongoing housing crisis and create a better, sustainable, progressive future for the country.
Current Scenario of Pakistan
At present, Pakistan is going through a housing crisis. The curve between housing demand and supply is increasing at a rapid pace. Moreover, the ongoing destruction of houses due to monsoon floods is displacing millions of people. Lack of planning, ineffective housing policies and less infrastructure has left 9% population homeless (Muslim Aid serving humanity, 2021). This results in the expansion of slum areas and ghettos, segregating the cities into rich and poor areas. Also, cities are becoming larger to accommodate more people. As a result, natural resources are depleting, having a delirious impact on climate change. Furthermore, illegal housing schemes and the extension of horizontal projects results in fewer homes leading to less space.
Currently, Pakistan is facing a shortage of 10 million housing units, and the number is increasing each year (Durr-e-Nayab, 2022). These facts show that horizontal development does not suit the current needs and demands of the growing population. Pakistan needs to work towards the building and development of vertical cities to overcome the acute housing crisis. It will limit the net carbon footprint and create a sustainable, secure, and profitable economy for future generations.
Benefits of Vertical Cities
Vertical cities have many benefits, some of which are as follows,
Enhances Community Living
In vertical cities, people live together with the same resources, where they bond and feel a sense of security. It promotes communal growth and reduces class differences because people from different socio-economic backgrounds share the same space. Moreover, it also enhances the quality of community living.
Environment Sustainability
Vertical cities use less space as compared to horizontal projects. As a result, agricultural lands, forests, swamps, and green belts are preserved. Houses, shopping centers, schools, and other infrastructure are contained in one skyscraper without encroaching on the natural environment. As a result, trees, flora and fauna are conserved. Moreover, vertical development uses fewer natural resources leading to fewer greenhouse emissions.
Meet the increasing Housing Demands
As the population increases, it can become difficult to cater to the increasing housing needs. However, vertical buildings provide more houses in limited space than horizontal structures. As a result, more people can be accommodated in a single place at affordable prices.
Improves Economy
The development of vertical cities will attract foreign investments. Moreover, it will create massive job opportunities for the skilled and unskilled workforce and help run the ancillary industries associated with the housing sector. The real estate sector will grow as a result and improve the GDP of Pakistan.
Affordability
Inflation has caused a surge in the cost of construction and housing material. Moreover, there is a hike in rent and housing prices. People with low incomes cannot afford accommodation in big cities. As a result, they resettle in open spaces or outskirts of cities leading to the expansion of slums in the country. Vertical cities can resolve this issue by providing affordable houses to people of all socio-economic backgrounds.
What are the Challenges in Building Vertical Cities?
Need for Big Budget
Pakistan’s economy is struggling at the moment. Planning and development of vertical cities will require a lot of money. The higher you build, the more expensive it will become. Moreover, most of the remittance allotted to the real estate sector of Pakistan ends up in dead capital. Thus, Pakistan will need big investments and funding to initiate and work on vertical cities.
Difficulty in Adaptability
Vertical structures are tall buildings that contain the whole human habitat in one place. People may struggle to adapt to vertical cities due to the shift from horizontal housing to living in apartments. Changing the mindset of people and adjusting to cultural and social change may be a slow process. Moreover, the availability of all amenities in one place may lead to fewer outdoor activities, which could be unhealthy and hinder the quality and culture of neighbourhoods.
Resilience
Pakistan has had massive earthquakes in the past and also faces monsoon floods occasionally. To ensure minimal destruction and human crisis, vertical cities need to be developed into resilient structures. If it fails to withstand the natural calamities, the death tolls, housing shortage, and monetary loss will be much higher.
Lack of Policies and Urban Planning
Pakistan first introduced its housing policy in 2001, indicating negligence in this sector (Tariq, 2019). These policies increased homelessness and did not solve the population’s housing needs. Moreover, there is a lack of urban planning in the country. The urban planning system lacks not only political support but also has limited capacities to engage with the social and environmental realities. As a result, new ideas, existing problems, and demands of people go unnoticed by the government. Therefore, inefficient policy formulation and lack of strategies may hinder vertical cities’ development.
Solutions that can Help in the Development of Vertical Cities
Formulation of Effective Policies and Urban Planning
Projects like vertical cities require lots of careful and smart planning before they can be implemented. The government should work with think tanks and experts before formulating vertical development policies. These policies should be for the growing population, housing needs, and the preservation of the environment. Moreover, focusing on urban planning through the mutual efforts of the government and the citizens will act as a great tool for enforcing sustainable development of vertical cities and balancing the need for growth with nature conservation.
Strengthening the Real Estate Sector
The real estate sector of Pakistan is full of profitable opportunities, and it has the potential to contribute to the growth of the country’s economy. To strengthen the real estate sector, the government should provide tax incentives and subsidies. It will aid in the fast development and growth of vertical cities.
Focus on Vertical Development
The government should formulate regulatory authorities to identify and abolish illegal housing schemes. Moreover, the country should discourage horizontal development by implementing strict rules and laws, while vertical development should be made a priority in all socio-economic sectors.
Use of Technology
The government should use innovative technology and management strategies in vertical cities planning for sustainable growth. Digital mapping of planned and unplanned areas is necessary, along with digitalising data regarding demographics, population growth, housing needs, and land use.
Conclusion
Vertical cities are the future of progressive and smart countries. It can open doorways to lots of foreign investments and profitable opportunities. Being an economically unstable country, Pakistan needs to invest in projects like vertical cities. It will not only solve the housing crisis but also create multiple job opportunities reducing the unemployment rate in the country. Moreover, developing vertical cities will strengthen multiple other industries linked with the real estate sector. The biodiversity will also be preserved, leading to a sustainable and healthy environment. Vertical cities promise a bright future for Pakistan. It is a crucial need of the country at the moment and a solution to most of the socio-economic problems.
References
Durre-e-Nayyab. (2022). Pakistan Institute of Development Economics. Retrieved from pide.org: https://pide.org.pk/research/the-assumed-shortage-of-housing-in-pakistan/
Muslim Aid serving humanity. (2021, December). Retrieved from Muslimaid.org: https://www.muslimaid.org/media-centre/blog/pakistan-homeless-statistics/
Tariq, F. (2019, 5). APPRAISAL OF NATIONAL HOUSING POLICY-A CASE OF PAKISTAN. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/05/TARIQ_Fariha_Paper.pdf
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