Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project

The Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project (RRUDP) is an urban development megaproject in Lahore District, Punjab, Pakistan that runs along the Ravi River in a northeast to southwest direction.[2] It includes the construction of a 41,308-hectare (102,074-acre) planned city and the rehabilitation of the Ravi River into a perennial freshwater body.[1][3] The project is to be completed in three phases. It is expected to be the largest riverfront of the world when finished.[4][5]

Ravi Riverfront
LocationLahore District, Punjab, Pakistan
Coordinates31°37′08″N 74°19′31″E
StatusUnder construction
GroundbreakingDecember 2020
Estimated completion2025 (Phase I)
UseRiverfront, waterfront
Websiteruda.gov.pk
Companies
ArchitectMeinhardt Group
DeveloperRavi Riverfront Development Authority
Technical details
Cost₨5 trillion (US$36.63 billion)
Size41,308 hectares (102,074 acres)
No. of residents10–12.5 million (expected)[1]
Proposed1947

History

The idea of an urban development on the Ravi riverfront was first suggested in 1947 by the then Deputy Commissioner of Lahore.[6] In 2013, the Government of Punjab began considering the project, which was initially planned to span over 18,000 hectares (44,000 acres). In 2014, Lahore Development Authority hired Singapore based architectural firm Meinhardt Group to run a feasibility study on the Ravi River for the development of the project.[3][7][8][9]

The project was inaugurated on 7 August 2020 by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan,[10][6] and construction began in December 2020.[11]

As of January 2021, it had attracted US$8 billion in foreign investment.[12]

Project details

The 5 trillion-Pakistani Rupee project aims to rehabilitate and develop the Ravi River into a perennial freshwater body, with high-quality urban development on the adjoining land for up to about 35 million inhabitants.[13][3] The idea is based on the developments around the River Thames in London.[14] In August 2020, the Provincial Minister of Punjab for housing, urban development and public health engineering Mehmood-ur-Rasheed announced the revised area of the riverfront development to be 40,000 hectares (100,000 acres) instead of 18,000 hectares. 70% of its area will be reserved for the plantation of 6 million trees.[8] A lake, an urban forest, three barrages and six water treatment plants will be built in the first phase. Upper Chenab Canal and BRB canal will be used to provide water to the development, if needed.[6] The masterplan is to build a modern city on the banks of the Ravi River, bordering Lahore on the north and the west sides, consisting of green belts, piers and boardwalks, along with 1.4 million residential units.[2][10]

Criticism

The Ravi Riverfront development has faced criticism that it is leading to "rampant land grabs" which may displace thousands of farmers.[15] There are accusations that the government is expropriating the land for the benefit of commercial developers, at below the fair value, and a Lahore High Court ruling has found “gross irregularities” in the development process.[15] Further there are concerns of the environmental impact of the development.[15]

See also

References
  1. Alam, Ahmad Rafay; Qasmi, Ali Usman; Sajjad, Fizzah; Spence, Tabitha; Javed, Umair; Jan, Ammar Ali (13 June 2021). Zaidi, Hasan (ed.). "Remaking a River: Land and Profit along the Ravi". Eos. Pakistan Herald Publication.
  2. "PM Imran to inaugurate River Ravi Urban Development Authority today". Daily Times. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  3. "Ravi Riverfront, Pakistan – portfolio". meinhardtgroup.com. Retrieved 7 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. "Land Grab or River Revival? Inside Pakistan's $7 Billion 'Green' City". Bloomberg News.
  5. "Promising RUDA". 23 January 2022.
  6. "پاکستان کی آزادی کے دن دیکھا گیا لاہوریوں کا خواب وزیر اعظم عمران خان نے آج 73 سال بعد پورا کردیا" [Prime Minister Imran Khan fulfilled the dream of Lahoris, seen on the day of Pakistan's independence, 73 years later today]. Daily Pakistan (in Urdu). 7 August 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. eProperty (28 October 2014). "Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project - Proposed". eProperty®. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  8. "Inspired by River Thames in London, Punjab to Develop a 'New City' Project". Zameen.com. Retrieved 7 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. "Ravi River by Meinhardt – aasarchitecture". Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  10. "PM Imran links multi-trillion rupee Ravi project to Lahore's survival". www.thenews.com.pk. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. Raza, Syed Irfan (4 December 2020). "Work on Ravi urban project has started, PM told". Dawn. Retrieved 11 February 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. "Ravi city project attracts over $8b investment, says RUDA member". The Nation. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. Mansoor Malik (8 August 2020). "Imran launches Rs5tr Ravi City project". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  14. Zia, Ahsan (19 July 2020). "New City upon Ravi". Shehr. The News International. Retrieved 10 November 2021. When the project was initiated under Parvez Elahi's government, it was expected to be developed along the lines of England's Kingston upon Thames which is part of the Greater London. Later, Mian Shehbaz Sharif ... wanted to develop it like Dubai but was forced to shelve it in 2013 ... The current government of Punjab is supposed to take off from where Elahi's government left.
  15. Baloch, Shah Meer (2 November 2021). "'We will be homeless': Lahore farmers accuse 'mafia' of land grab for new city". the Guardian. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
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