In Pakistan, the trend of sky-high buildings with state-of-the-art architectural planning is on the rise. Talking about the cities with more sky-scrappers, Karachi and Lahore top the list. Whereas, the capital city, which is the next financial hub, lacks high-rise corporate offices, especially commercial centers, like the new Blue Area, Islamabad.
Yes, the city with planned development, picturesque views, and an opulent lifestyle offers a better settling environment/opportunity due to which the population has multiplied; to deal with added urbanization, CDA has started considering high-rise projects.
Currently, the city encompasses not more than 20 high-rise buildings; most of them are residential, leaving a huge gap for developers and builders to have commercial skyscrapers.
If you’re interested to learn why Islamabad needed more high commercial towers, keep reading!
High-rise Commercial Towers in Islamabad
Being the federal capital with increasing urbanization and the demand for corporate offices in Islamabad, the city needs to invest in corporate towers.
Historically speaking, Habib Bank Plaza was the first skyscraper built in Pakistan in 1963; now, Bahria Icon is the tallest building in Pakistan, with 62 floors, among the 33 completed throughout the country.
These are the reason why former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan had approved guidelines for high-rise buildings in the capital, in response to the spike in population.
Transitioning the Blue Area, from a conventional city to a neighborhood dominated by skyscrapers, Chakor Ventures took the initiative with its latest mixed-use/corporate tower, which is the next best mall in Islamabad.
It is offering spacious corporate offices, retail outlets, and dining options. With this project, Chakor Ventures set new construction norms with its latest design, modern infrastructure, and state-of-the-art facilities.
Horizontal Expansion: A Threat to Wildlife
Islamabad is surrounded by Margalla Hills National Park, which is home to natural habitats.
The entire outskirts are vulnerable and are designed for hiking, exploration, and other social activities. The hill station supports 600 plant species, 402 bird species, and 38 other animal species, especially the ‘common leopard’.
Unfortunately, due to frequent urbanization and excessive encroachment, the city’s ecological order is affected, like the loss of leopards in an accident near Nicholson’s Monument on GT Road, which descended from the mountains due to low temperature and illegal construction.
Also, the citizens have hunted the species to near extinction. According to the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), only seven common leopards have survived.
Horizontal Developments Cause Land Crises
In Pakistan, vertical development is flourishing with projects like Bahria Tower, Center Point Tower, Ufone Tower, etc.; also it is the practical option for utilizing the scarce available land, especially in cities with more natural habitat, like Islamabad.
Crises like rising population, scarce resources, limited land availability, and ruler-urban migration, have led to over-populated horizontal neighborhoods, and so are pollution concerns and other ills.
Talking about the commercial sector of the capital, we have a very limited number of mixed-use sky corporate towers, which means corporate offices in Islamabad are majorly located in horizontal settings, occupying more than the needed spaces.
Vertical expansions will not only extend the room for other developments but also open opportunities for businesses and the working sector to grow and learn better.
Also, high-rise infrastructures are built under the realm of sustainability, designed in a way to adopt the practical approach of luxury and convenience; our commercial tower, Citadel 7, has also been designed to offer convenience and luxury, offering easy accessibility from two major roads, Jinnah Venue and Ibn-e-Sina, Blue Area, Islamabad.
Our 20-storey corporate tower encompasses retail shops, corporate offices, and dining options.
Vertical Expansion improves Standard of Living
The basic reason and motivation for the introduction of vertical developments are to improve and raise the standard of living of the population and to control the horizontal expansions of the cities.
All the major cities of Pakistan comprise of horizontal structure, so to bring change the government is working on several projects across the major cities.
The vertical models are comparatively cheaper to build and maintain, and also just on a small plot of land, a huge multi-story vertical structure could be easily built.
Thanks to authorities, like CDA, RDA, LDA, KDA, etc., for promoting high-rise projects across the major cities; in Islamabad, there’s a huge gap for mixed-use high-rises.
Vertical expansion and Economic Growth
Pakistan is blessed with a strong and devoted young labor force but unfortunately, the lack of job opportunities has affected economic development and the country’s progress.
The construction of vertical buildings requires more manpower which eventually boosts the country’s economic health while improving the standard of living.
Therefore, there is a positive impact on the country as a whole. Ultimately it uplifts the construction sector and related industries.
Vertical Expansion and Technological Advancements
Also, vertical structures are built with state-of-the-art facilities and amenities which require upgraded and modern technologies and solutions; construction experts; an experienced workforce; and other resources.
Leading the change in the overall landscape of the city, our project Citadel 7 is being built on a modern infrastructure; such efforts will improve Pakistan’s overall image to global investors and businesses alike.
Conclusion
To further accentuate the city’s dwellings and overall infrastructure, and to better utilize the resources, Islamabad needs more commercial high-rises.
For the business community, having more missed-used commercial towers/centers, especially in business hubs of the city, will help local and international businesses and capitalists to grow and work together.
