As part of the GKRP 2047 planning process, our team has been exploring the city through a data-driven lens 🔍— looking at how urban form, mobility, access to amenities, environmental conditions, and public spaces interact to shape everyday life.

Using spatial analytics and urban diagnostics, we are building a clearer picture of how the city functions today and where opportunities for improvement may lie — gradually layering urban intelligence into traditional GIS to move from mapping what exists to understanding how the city behaves. From understanding patterns of accessibility to examining the relationship between urban density, green spaces, and environmental exposure, this work helps turn complex datasets into meaningful insights for long-term planning.

The goal is simple but powerful: use evidence to guide better decisions, supporting a future city that is more resilient, inclusive and sustainable as we look toward 2047.

Behind every map and dataset is the same question: how can cities work better for the people who live in them?

The GKRP2047 team was active during Climate Week Karachi 2026. We were honoured to participate in a dedicated session hosted by the Climate Action Centre to introduce the Greater Karachi Regional Plan (GKRP) 2047.

The session featured a 30-minute presentation followed by an engaging and thoughtful Q&A, bringing together students, practitioners, and stakeholders to discuss the future of Karachi’s growth and resilience.

Held at Habib University Library, the discussion focused on the vision, objectives, and planning process of GKRP 2047, including ongoing research, citywide surveys, and avenues for public and stakeholder engagement. The session also highlighted how the plan will build upon and update the Karachi Strategic Development Plan 2020, responding to today’s climate, social, and urban challenges.

The exchange reinforced the importance of inclusive, evidence-based planning and meaningful dialogue in shaping a more climate-resilient, equitable and sustainable future for Karachi.

Thank you to the Climate Action Centre and all participants for the insightful discussion and valuable perspectives.

As part of Climate Week Karachi 2026, we are pleased to share that Dar and Asian Consulting (JV) have been allocated a dedicated session by the Climate Action Centre to introduce the Greater Karachi Regional Plan (GKRP) 2047. The session will feature a 30-minute presentation followed by an interactive Q&A.

📅 Date: Friday, 30th January
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Venue: Habib University Library

Register here

In this session we will present the vision, objectives, and planning process of GKRP 2047, including ongoing research, citywide surveys, and opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement. The discussion will highlight how the plan will update the Karachi Strategic Development Plan 2020 and guide Karachi toward a more climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.

From Streets to Strategy: Listening to Karachi

We are out across Karachi carrying out a wide range of surveys—speaking directly with residents, recording observations, and collecting vital data, to support inclusive, people-centred planning.

Acquiring the latest information on Karachi is fundamental to understanding what the city is today. Through direct engagement, residents are sharing insights on socio-economic conditions, environmental challenges, community priorities, and urban services—helping ensure that Karachi’s diverse voices and aspirations are meaningfully reflected in the planning process. Building a strong baseline is essential to measure trends, assess challenges and make sound assumptions about future scenarios, responding to real community and household needs.

📸 Check out our field team in action across the city.

🤝 If you see our surveyors in Karachi, we kindly ask you to support and respect their work. These surveys are essential to shaping a Regional Plan that truly serves all citizens.

Satellite imagery reveals just how dramatically our city has grown — from a coastal city of around 3 million in the 1970s to a sprawling megacity of over 21 million today.

🚀 A city expanding at unprecedented speed

These images capture the physical evidence of Karachi’s extraordinary transformation:

• Urban sprawl: Agricultural land and open spaces replaced by dense residential neighbourhoods, industrial zones, and commercial centres.
• Coastal development: A reshaped shoreline — land reclamation, port expansion, and kilometres of new waterfront development.
• Infrastructure networks: Highways and expressways now linking once-distant areas to the urban core.
• Northern expansion: Housing schemes pushing the city’s boundaries outward year after year.

🧭 Understanding the past to plan the future

These are not just historic images — they are planning tools. They help us recognise:

✅ What worked: planned developments, supporting infrastructure, green corridors, accessible transport.
❌ What didn’t: uncontrolled sprawl, overstretched services, loss of agricultural land and ecosystems, informal settlements without basic needs.

🌍 From sprawl to strategy

The transformation visible from space reminds us: the decisions we make today will be visible from satellites in 2047.

🧐 Spot the transformation!

Are there other areas in Karachi you’ve seen change dramatically in just a few years? What should we take away from the rapid changes happening in our city? Looking at these satellite images, what lessons do you believe we need to learn for the future?

Share your thoughts in the comments section!

With a population exceeding 21 million, Karachi is not only Pakistan’s largest city — it is the backbone of the national economy. But scale alone will not define Karachi’s future success.

The Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047 presents a critical opportunity to guide the city’s evolution from a high-output urban centre into a globally competitive, resilient, and liveable megacity. To achieve this, industrial growth must be supported by deliberate, integrated planning.

🌐Integrated economic corridors
Connect ports, industrial zones, logistics hubs, universities, and housing with high-capacity public transport and freight networks.

🏙 Industrial-urban integration
Consider how to move away from mono-uses, such as large-scale industrial estates, to centres of innovation that attract a combination of activities, potentially including manufacturing, businesses, housing, and services.

⚡ Infrastructure resilience at scale
Power, water, waste, and data infrastructure must be planned as economic enablers, not afterthoughts.

👩‍🎓 Human capital ecosystems
Industry cannot grow without talent. Karachi needs district-level alignment between schools, universities, and employers.

🌱 Green competitiveness
Future investment will flow to cities that are cleaner, more temperate, and more resource-efficient. Environmental performance is now an economic strategy.

Karachi’s advantage is not just its size — it is its potential to become South Asia’s most diverse industrial and innovation hub. The Regional Plan is our opportunity to design that future with purpose.

What single change do you believe would most improve Karachi’s long-term competitiveness?

From heritage streets to modern skylines, Karachi is a city that never stops evolving. We’re showing Karachi under two lights— then and now.

Comparing what was with what is today can tell incredible stories on the change in our cities to the landscape, architecture, but also to streets, spaces, and even fashion.

💬 What memories do these places bring back for you? Is there anything in particular that strikes you with these before and after pictures?

Whether it’s a moment, a feeling, or a personal connection — we’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your reflections in the Suggestions section!

We were honoured to meet with the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) to advance discussions on the Greater Karachi Master Plan 2047 — a transformative vision for the city’s sustainable urban growth.

The team engaged in a constructive dialogue with Mr. Muhammad Hassan Bakshi, Chairman of ABAD, and other key members. The meeting focused on strategic planning, urban growth management, and sustainable infrastructure development to shape a resilient and inclusive future for Karachi.

The discussion emphasized a shared commitment to advancing Karachi’s long-term vision — building the foundations of a more connected, sustainable, and future-ready city. 🌍✨

You too can be part of the discussion, just let us know what you have in mind for Karachi, in the comments!

ABAD.com | news

The three-day Public Open House for the Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047 concluded yesterday at Frere Hall, marking an important start towards shaping a shared vision for Karachi’s future.

In addition to members of the wider public, attendees included officials from the Karachi Development Authority (KDA); members of academia and professional associations, private sector and business community, UN-Habitat, World Health Organization (WHO), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Shehri Citizens for a Better Environment and architecture, planning, and engineering students.

Throughout the Open House, participants engaged with the GKRP team, sharing ideas on the best and worst aspects of living in Karachi.

The event reinforced the importance of inclusive consultation and collaborative dialogue in developing a comprehensive and sustainable regional plan for Karachi. Several visitors recommended that future events should also be taken into the Districts to broaden and deepen public awareness and engagement.

A sincere thank you to KMC and KDA for supporting the event and everyone who joined, contributed, and shared their vision for the future of Karachi. 🌆🤝.

The website comments are always available so please do continue to share with us your thoughts on Karachi and the GKRP 2047.

Today, Friday 17 October, marked the first day of a 3-day Open House event for the Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047, which is taking place at Frere Hall in the centre of the city.
Today’s session, held for the press and members of the public, marked the beginning of an open house exhibition on shaping Karachi’s long-term regional vision.
We were also very pleased to welcome the Director General of Karachi Development Authority Mr. Asif Siddiqui and others who have contributed to the development of Karachi’s previous master planning effort.
Participants engaged with members of the planning and technical teams, sharing perspectives on the city’s growth, infrastructure, and sustainability priorities.
The Open House continues tomorrow and on Sunday (both days 10am to 5pm), welcoming everyone to join the conversation and contribute to the vision for Karachi’s future.

🌆 Imagine Karachi 2047 – Join the Conversation! 🗺️

We are at the beginning of the journey to developing a new strategic regional plan for Karachi. Conversations have been held with many stakeholders over the last few months. Existing data has been compiled and analysed to understand how the city function.

We are now ready to introduce the project.  To get a complete picture on what Karachi is today, we need everyone’s voice to tell us what they think.

To make this a truly participatory process, we are open to listen to everyone’s concerns and views.

An Open House / Public Exhibition is being held this weekend. This is a chance for everyone to take part in shaping a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient Karachi.

📅 Dates: 18–19 October
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Venue: Frere Hall (library entrance), Karachi

Come, explore the vision for Karachi’s future and contribute your thoughts on how the city should grow and evolve by 2047.

Let’s plan the Karachi we want — together. 💬🌿🏙️

With sincere thanks to KMC for their support, allowing us to use Frere Hall for this event

The Karachi 2047 Regional Plan continues to gain attention as we gather feedback from citizens, experts, and stakeholders across the city.

Leading national publications have highlighted the ongoing consultations and collective efforts shaping a shared vision for Karachi’s future.

We’re grateful for the growing public engagement and the diverse perspectives shaping the Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047.
Together, we’re building a more inclusive, sustainable, and connected future for Karachi. 💬🌿🏙️

Read the articles:

🔹 The Express Tribune — https://tribune.com.pk/story/2572639/karachi-2047-plan-launched
🔹 Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) — https://www.app.com.pk/domestic/greater-karachi-project-is-a-gift-from-sindh-govt-to-citizens-nasir-shah/

🔹 Business Recorder — https://www.brecorder.com/news/40387612
🔹 Daily Times — https://dailytimes.com.pk/1384388/karachi-regional-plan-2047-to-be-developed-with-input-from-international-experts/

🔹 Express News — https://www.express.pk/story/2782986/greator-karachi-plane-2047-ready-2782986
🔹 Jasarat — https://jasarat.com/2025/10/16/251016-02-15/
🔹 UrduPoint — https://www.urdupoint.com/daily/livenews/2025-10-15/news-4586920.html

🔹 Dunya News — https://dunya.com.pk/index.php/city/karachi/2025-10-16/2577779

Contemporary Urban Planning is powered by Digital Mapping and GIS — tools that help us see the hidden layers of a city and plan smarter for the future.

For the Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047, we’re building a GIS database to:

✅ Analyse land use, transport, jobs, pollution & governance
✅ Model climate change impacts and regional resilience
✅ Optimise transport networks for population growth
✅ Identify sites for schools, hospitals & social infrastructure
✅ Foster the development of a healthier, more equitable, accessible and greener Karachi

Mapping takes time — it means acquiring, analysing, and digitising vast data. But the outcome will be a better future for all.

💡 What do you think? Which data layers should we prioritise — environment, mobility, health, economy, or something else?

Share your thoughts in the Feedback section!

Photo  credit: Karachi Coast and Indus Delta by eutrophication&hypoxia’s, license – CC BY 2.0.

The team leading the delivery of the Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047 is honoured to have met Transparency International Pakistan (TI-P) for an insightful conversation on Karachi’s governance landscape. 

During the meeting, TI-P Executive Director Mr. Kashif Ali shared key governance recommendations, highlighting that the adoption of such measures is vital to ensure the plan delivers inclusive economic growth and resilient infrastructure.  

As TI-P underscored, a commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability—putting people first—is essential for a future-ready Karachi. 

The Orangi Pilot Project Research and Training Institute (OPPRTI) has proudly launched the “Urban Forest” campaign to honour the legacy of the visionary Shaheed Madam Parween Rehman, a champion of environmental justice, urban development, and marginalised communities’ rights.

Starting at the OPPRTI office, 300 diverse saplings have been planted in her memory, with plans to expand the Urban Forest initiative across Pakistan. This project is supported by environmentalist Masood Lohar, founder of the Clifton Urban Forest.

Working at the intersection of community welfare and urban sustainability, the Orangi Pilot Project is working to find ways to rehabilitate trees that are indigenous to Karachi.

🌳 Tree canopies are one of the most effective natural defences against the urban heat island effect — helping to cool our streets and create more liveable spaces during extreme heat. As part of the GKRP2047, we are exploring ways to improve quality of life in Karachi. Urban greening and tree planting will play a vital role in reaching these goals.

💡 How do you think Karachi’s future planning should include more greenery? Share your thoughts with us!

Learn more about OPPRTI here: http://www.opp.org.pk/

Learn more about the Urban Forest campaign: The Perween Rahman Urban Forest

Last week, the Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047 team had the privilege of meeting Dr. Aquila Ismail, Chairperson of OPPRTI. She shared valuable insights on the area’s most urgent needs — particularly shelter and access to water.

Orangi Town, located on the edge of Karachi, is home to 1.5 million people distributed across 113 low-income settlements. Since 1980, the Orangi Pilot Project Research and Training Institute (OPPRTI) has been working on vital community-led initiatives including low-cost sanitation, housing, education, health, and micro-credit.

On 3rd July 2025, the first meeting of the Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047 Project Steering Committee was held, chaired by Sindh’s Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani. The session brought together key leaders including Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, senior government officials, and heads of major development authorities.

The committee is overseeing the development of a comprehensive regional plan for the Karachi Division, which will guide the region’s growth up to the year 2047. With Karachi’s population expected to potentially double by then, the plan aims to address the city’s complex urban challenges and ensure a more sustainable, coordinated, and inclusive future.

Minister Ghani emphasized the urgency of this initiative, highlighting the consequences of past unplanned urban expansion. The plan will be shaped collaboratively with input from stakeholders, civic agencies, and civil society.

This is a critical step towards developing a strategic, resilient Karachi that meets the needs of its people today and for generations to come.

📖 Read more: https://www.dawn.com/news/1921909/karachi-master-plan-to-be-ready-within-two-years-meeting-told

We’re currently meeting with stakeholders across the Karachi Division to better understand the city’s most pressing challenges—and the solutions people are already imagining. These conversations are key to shaping a regional plan that truly reflects how Karachi works.

Are you (or do you know) a stakeholder who should be part of this dialogue? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you.

Stay tuned and follow us for updates as we move forward with the Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047. Let’s shape the future together!

https://www.nawaiwaqt.com.pk/04-Jul-2025/1908515

https://dunya.com.pk/index.php/city/karachi/2025-07-04/2533775

The development of the Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047 will unfold through multiple strategic stages, beginning with an intensive phase of data collection and analysis — with this stage set to wrap up by Summer 2025, paving the way for the exciting next steps.

We are in the process of interviewing a vast array of stakeholders across the city to understand what are the most pressing issues that must be addressed, but also what are the perceived solutions. This is all essential to building a picture of Karachi so that appropriate solutions can be identified.

Mr Saeed Ghani, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Town Planning and KDA hosted a one-day workshop with 200 invited delegates to discuss and evaluate the current state of Karachi. Insights from this workshop will play a crucial role in shaping the new plan.

KDA – News: GKRP 2047 Launch

The project Kick Off meeting occurred between KDA members and the Consultant team. The consultants prepared and presented a Kickoff presentation which covered an introduction to Dar, overview of recent accomplishments, Consultant team introductions, project methodology and deliverables, as well as an understanding of the project.

ACASH – news: Karachi master plan 2047

thenews.com.pk – Climate challenges and Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047