EVALUATION OF FUTURE UTILITY SERVICES THROUGH VERTICALLY EXPANDING COMPACT CITY CENTER, CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT GULBERG, LAHORE

Abstract

Lahore's urban expansion, particularly around the Central Business District (CBD) at Quaid-e-Azam, is a significant shift towards vertical growth under the guidance of the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (CBD Punjab). This strategy aims to optimize land use and accommodate a rising population, but it may inadvertently complicate the city's development further. Rapid growth has led to numerous housing societies, which have further strained Lahore's already overburdened utility services. Untreated wastewater from these expanding neighborhoods flows into the River Ravi, negatively impacting water quality and surrounding aquifers. As Lahore transitions to vertical development with high-rise buildings, the concentrated population densities in these areas increase the demand on utilities such as water, electricity, and sanitation systems.

The existing infrastructure, designed for a lower population density, struggles to keep up with the demands of high-rise living, leading to inefficiencies and system failures. Vertical expansion often requires advanced infrastructure solutions, such as sophisticated sewerage systems and high-capacity power grids, which may fail to effectively support the increased population density. The current growth rate in Lahore District is estimated at 2.7%, but with the shift towards vertical expansion, population density on the same amount of land will increase drastically, creating a greater strain on utility services. A comprehensive new master plan has been developed to address these problems and plan for Lahore's water and sanitation needs over the next 25 years.

while vertical expansion is intended to solve the issues associated with urban sprawl, it may inadvertently aggravate existing utility problems and introduce new challenges. The development of high-rise buildings must be accompanied by a comprehensive upgrade of infrastructure to ensure that it can handle the increased demands of a densely populated urban environment. Addressing Lahore's rapid urban growth and infrastructure needs through a new, comprehensive master plan is essential for fostering sustainable development and improving the quality of life for all residents. This paper evaluates the potential of public utilities services currently present in the new administrated economic center of Lahore city.