ADB powers Karachi's Megacity dreams

04 Feb '06

3 min read

A US$10 million loan from ADB will help address the long-term and holistic development needs of the city of Karachi, Pakistan, contributing to a sustainable improvement in the quality of life of its residents.

Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, is home to more than 12 million people. As the commercial hub and gateway of Pakistan, it accounts for 95% of Pakistan's foreign trade and contributes 30% of Pakistan's industrial production.

But while the economy and population of Karachi have expanded significantly, few investments have been made in the city's urban infrastructure over the past two decades, resulting in haphazard development, a polluted urban environment, and, for many, a poor quality of life.

"Infrastructure and services that are inadequate and unreliable are adding to business and household costs, harming Karachi's urban and natural environments, and decreasing the city's global competitiveness compared with alternative Asian mega cities," says Gulfer Cezayirli, an ADB Senior Urban Development Specialist.

Given the magnitude of the city's investment requirements, the loan will support a series of integrated actions that together will act as a catalyst to speed up the development process in Karachi.

The project will provide resources for the City District Government of Karachi, the town municipal administrations, and utilities to improve their city planning, management, and financing, as well as in applying commercial principles in the provision of infrastructure and services.

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