PESHAWAR, Pakistan: An International Jury has selected city of Peshawar for Townscape Awards 2016 titled “City Beautification and Uplift Programme” which is a recognition of the efforts towards improving the living condition of the people of provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Award giving ceremony will be held in Yinchan City China on October 29. The decision to this effect was conveyed to Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by the Jury through a letter.
A lot of countries were in the run for winning this competition, says an official statement issued in Peshawar on Thursday.
The Jury, who selected KPK government in the joint session in Fukoaka, Japan on September 17, consisted of four organizers i.e. UN HABITAT, Asian Habitat Society, Asian Townscape Design Society and Kukuaka Urban Research Centre.
The Jury has set a tough criteria for selecting the winner city, main emphasis was on developmental strategy which is economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sustainable.
The key other points also included respect for regional culture, history, high artistic quality, becoming a model for other cities, etc.
It merits to mention here that 40 projects under “City Beautification and Uplift Programme” were either completed or in the process of completion.
These included rehabilitation of parks and open spaces, widening of roads, chowks, canals and water fronts, preservation of historical buildings, tourists sites, public buildings, city entrances, traffic system, food streets, sports and recreation.
Though most of the projects are in the pipeline but the Jury inspired by the vision of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to make Provincial Metropolis a model city.