ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has unveiled plans to bring illegal settlements and housing schemes within Islamabad’s official urban framework. This initiative aims to formalize unauthorized developments, ensuring they adhere to city regulations and standards.
CDA officials explained that the process involves detailed feasibility assessments to upgrade and integrate these unapproved areas into the city’s master plan. As part of this effort, the authority will evaluate approximately 200,000 kanals of land currently occupied by informal settlements and unauthorized housing projects.
To facilitate this project, the CDA has called for applications from consulting firms to undertake comprehensive feasibility studies. The primary goal is to enhance infrastructure and provide essential services such as water, sanitation, and roads in these areas.
Established in 1960, the CDA is one of Pakistan’s oldest civic bodies, tasked with the development and maintenance of Islamabad and its environs. Its responsibilities include estate management, urban planning, infrastructure development, and the construction of key city landmarks.
Over the years, the CDA has played a crucial role in shaping Islamabad’s skyline, constructing government offices, parks, residential zones, and other significant facilities. The current move to regularize illegal settlements reflects the authority’s ongoing efforts to improve urban living conditions and ensure planned city growth.
