Mariam Saleem

The Urban Unit

According to a report of the United Nations, the world urban population is expected to become 6.3 billion in 2050.The scale and pace of urbanization in Pakistan is relatively high. By 2030 or earlier, its urban population is likely to equal its rural population. The impact of urbanization will be felt in all spheres of human life including a complex set of environmental, economic and social challenges. However, there is a unique opportunity to build more sustainable, vibrant, innovative and equitable communities. Finding solutions for a better urban future involves developing new forms of collaboration and partnerships. Inspired by the possibilities of this new urban era, and driven by a belief in innovation through collaboration across traditional divides, The Urban Unit seeks to improve the way people live, work and play in the future cities of Pakistan and elsewhere. The concept of urban design and development addresses both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the City's built environment. Aesthetics, being the traditional concern of urban design can only be more meaningful when combined and integrated with other functional units such as environmental management, urban planning and transport management, information and communication management and institutional development to generate an environment that is visually pleasant, socially comfortable, and economically viable and which conveys a sense of place, pride and belonging. Urban design activities and efforts will seek to develop a policy framework and guidelines integrated with technology driven approaches and solutions so as to create a sustainable living environment and an appropriate city image and identity.