Secretary of Ministry of Housing and Works Iftikhar Ali Shallwani has laid stress on the construction of vertical housing units so that housing shortage in the country can be remedied. He said urban sprawl and horizontal expansion of housing units is an unsustainable way of meeting the problem. He stressed the importance of technology adoption and sustainable building models for a healthy environment in vertical housing units.

Shallwani urged the construction sector to follow the example of building-designs from developed economies like Singapore or China. He said, “it is not necessary to keep on developing housing societies to meet the housing demand of the country. It can alternately be met by developing vertical units equipped with green spaces, ventilation, lifts and emergency response measures.” He added, “the Ministry will start these projects on its own for government employees.

The First International Housing Expo holds immense importance in this regard. We will try to woo the construction sector magnates to develop new projects on vertical lines.” Shallwani said that the International Housing Expo is being arranged by the Housing Ministry in collaboration with the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry to bring new ideas into the construction sector. He said, “it will start on December 8 and end on December 11 in which eight sessions of mutual discussion will be organized and more than 50 experts will deliver their opinions and insights.

It is being arranged through the help of sponsors and government coffers will not be burdened for its expenses.” He continued, “we need to follow the example of the world. They have overcome housing problems through building vertical units. We need as much vertical housing units as we can develop to provide cost-effective housing for slum dwellers.” He added, “housing is a basic right, and growth in the housing sector will add to economic growth of the country.

We need to make housing safe, affordable, habitable and sustainable. The International Housing Expo has been arranged on the same themes.” The Secretary said that major international and national developers, builders and real estate enterprises have been invited to the expo. It will be instrumental in attracting foreign investment into the country and in reviving the national economy.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk