The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has intensified its collaboration with the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) to introduce advanced satellite technology into Islamabad city’s urban planning and land management framework.
The plan is to integrate advanced satellite technology to overhaul land management, enforce planning regulations, and inject new levels of transparency in the urban affairs.
This initiative, which leverages an existing memorandum of understanding (MoU), was recently the focus of a meeting at CDA headquarters. CDA Chairman Randhawa said the partnership marked “a significant step towards smart and sustainable urban development” in the capital city, adding that the use of satellite imagery would make planning “more effective, transparent, and accountable.”
Key Objectives of Collaboration
The core of the CDA-SUPARCO partnership revolves around utilizing high-resolution satellite imagery and data-sharing to tackle some of the Islamabad‘s most persistent urban challenges:
- Combatting Illegal Construction and Encroachment: The primary goal is to use satellite data for continuous, real-time monitoring of land use. This will allow the CDA to accurately identify illegal constructions, irregular settlements, and unauthorized commercial activities in residential zones, leading to more targeted and efficient anti-encroachment operations.
- Transparent Land Management: The technology will be leveraged to resolve long-standing land-related issues and ensure that CDA-acquired land is properly utilized. The use of geo-spatial data aims to minimize human error and corruption, making the planning process more “effective, transparent, and accountable.”
- Transparent and Efficient City Planning: The collaboration leverages SUPARCO’s satellite imagery and geospatial data to improve city management accountability, making planning processes more effective and transparent. This high-tech approach enables the CDA to monitor land use, quickly identify illegal construction, and enforce zoning regulations with unprecedented efficiency.
The announcement signals the CDA’s firm intention to modernize how it tackles one of the biggest challenges in urban governance: maintaining the integrity of its land records and planning efforts. By employing precise satellite data, officials can transition from older, less reliable methods to a more rigorous, verifiable monitoring framework.
Digital Transformation meets Urban Renewal
This technological push, which aligns with the CDA’s renewed commitment to Islamabad’s original 1960 Master Plan, was announced at a ceremony celebrating the 65th anniversary of Islamabad’s Master Plan and World Cities Day.
Addressing the ceremony, Randhawa paid tribute to the city’s visionary legacy: “Let us celebrate the beauty of our city Islamabad! Today, we pay tribute to the city’s Master Plan, a symbol of visionary urban planning and sustainable development for 65 years.”
He said that CDA’s current core priorities are “financial autonomy, digital transformation, and collaboration with SUPARCO for satellite imagery to support urban planning and address land management challenges.”
He also mentioned that upcoming mega projects include an Expo Center, five-star hotels, and a cricket stadium near D-12.
The focus on a digitally enhanced future resonated with other leaders. Inspector General of Police Islamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, praised the city’s safety, noting that the Islamabad Police is further improving public service through digital surveillance and modern technology under the Safe City Project. Meanwhile, UN-Habitat Pakistan Senior Advisor Jawad Ali Khan commented that the CDA’s approach “aligns with this year’s World Cities Day theme: ‘People-Centred Smart Cities.’”
Accelerating Residential Sector Development
Beyond the high-tech planning strategy, the CDA provided crucial updates on infrastructure progress. Officials confirmed that development work in Sector C-14 is nearing its final phase, with construction advancing in long-pending residential sectors, including C-14, C-15, C-16, I-12, E-12, E-13, D-13, and F-13.
Crucially, work has finally begun in the sub-sectors of E-12 after years of delay, as well as the newly launched Margalla Enclave Project, which is being developed in collaboration with the Defense Housing Authority (DHA).
Chairman Randhawa directed that all projects be completed promptly with high standards and full provision of civic amenities. He reassured future plot owners that possession would be ensured soon, reaffirming that “reviving long-neglected sectors and completing ongoing projects remain top priorities for the CDA.” With a strategic blueprint supported by space technology and a clear focus on efficiency, the CDA is poised to transform Islamabad into a modern, smart, and fully integrated capital.