Call for Integrated Urban Planning to Address Transport, Sustainability Challenges
Published September 03, 2026 | 08:30 PM
LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Sep, 2026) Integrated and sustainable urban and regional planning is indispensable to address Pakistan’s growing transportation challenges, improve mobility, and create cities that support economic growth, investment, and a better quality of life.
Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol, President of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), made this statement while chairing an international seminar on “The General Situation of Transportation, Urban & Regional Planning in Pakistan and a Sustainable Way Forward,” jointly organized by the Institute of Planners Pakistan (IPP) and LCCI here on Thursday.
Umar Farooq, IPP President, was also present. International speakers included:
- Healah Darman, International Vice President, ITE 2026 and International President-elect for 2027, USA Robert G. Schiffer, AICP, President of Plan-Plan Consulting, USA, and President-elect, Institute of Transportation Engineers District 6 Dennis J. Smith, FACIP, Planner-in-Residence, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Florida State University, and E. Khong Kie Max, Founder and Principal Consultant, SC&M Group, Singapore joined via zoom.
National speakers included:
- MPA Ahmad Iqbal Chaudhry, Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, LDA, Faisal Masood, Chief Metropolitan Planner, LDA, Dr. Obaidullah Nadeem, Professor and Chairman, Department of City and Regional Planning, UET Lahore, Dr. Shabin-ul-Hassan Zaidi, Dean, Architecture & Planning and former Chair, CRP Department, UET; Dr. Muhammad Nadeem, Chair, Department of City and Regional Planning, UMT Lahore; Dr. Fariha Tariq, Dean, University of Management and Technology, Lahore; Engr. Aslam Qazi, Team Leader, NESPAK Lahore; Plnr. Zafar-ul-Haq, Senior Urban & Regional Planning Expert; Arch. Zaeem Jawed Raja, Managing Director, Principles Architects; Plnr. Muhammad Masud Nawaz; Arch. Maria Niazi, Senior Architect, NESPAK Lahore; Engr. Wajahat Ahmad, Senior Transport Planner & Traffic Engineer, NESPAK Lahore; Samiullah Ashfaq, Public Sector Professional, Balochistan Public Private Partnership Authority; and Engr. Jamshed Mehmood, Mobility Expert.
Saigol stated that rapid urbanization was placing increasing pressure on Pakistan’s cities, particularly in terms of traffic congestion, inadequate public transport, parking, walkability, infrastructure, and access to essential services. He stressed that urban planning must move beyond short-term solutions and adopt integrated approaches that connect transportation, land use, housing, commerce, industry, and environmental sustainability.
He said that better urban planning was directly linked with economic activity, as efficient transportation systems reduced travel time, logistics costs, and business disruptions while improving access to markets, workplaces, and investment opportunities.