CHICAGO (United States) — For nine days in July 2024, a delegation of young Pakistani urbanists found themselves traversing the streets of Chicago, a city long celebrated for its architectural marvels and its forward-thinking approach to urban development. Their mission was simple yet ambitious: to learn from Chicago’s pioneering efforts in green urban planning and bring those lessons back to a rapidly urbanizing Pakistan.
The group, consisting of students, professors, journalists, and urban development professionals, was part of the Green Urban Development (GUD) project — a U.S.-Pakistan initiative aimed at fostering sustainable urban growth in Pakistani cities.
The initiative to strengthen international partnerships and encourage youth-led green initiatives was led by the Institute of Urbanism (IoU) and the School of Leadership Foundation (SoLF), supported by the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. Facilitated by DePaul University’s Steans Center and the Eagan Office, the visit brought together a diverse 16-member delegation comprised of faculty and students from COMSATS University Islamabad and Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU).
Islamabad to Chicago: A Journey of Green Innovation
The itinerary included visits to some of Chicago’s most innovative urban development sites, meetings with local leaders and activists, and deep dives into community-driven projects.
The agenda was packed with high-level meetings, workshops, and field visits aimed at exploring innovative solutions for sustainable urban development.
On the first day, the students interacted with Dr. Howard Rosing, Executive Director of Steans Center DePaul University, John Zeigler, the Director of the Egan Office of Urban Education and Community Partnerships (UECP), and Dr. GianMario Besana, Associate Provost for Global Engagement and Online Learning, DePaul University
Dr. GianMario Besana stated, “We live in a world with global issues that need global solutions. Most of the urban development challenges can be solved if diverse groups come together and collaborate”.
Dr. Howard Rosing, Executive Director, Steans Center DePaul University highlighted that “bringing social equity in the urban development programs is integral for meaningful change”.
From Lake Michigan to South Side: Lessons in Water and Waste Management
Among the first stops was the Terrence J. O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) in Skokie, Illinois. The delegation toured the facility, which plays a crucial role in protecting public health by treating wastewater, managing stormwater, and safeguarding the region’s water resources. The visit provided a stark contrast to Pakistan’s ongoing struggles with water scarcity, offering a glimpse into what could be achieved through meticulous planning and advanced technology.
The O’Brien Plant has a maximum capacity of treating 450 million gallons of water per day. This facility features the largest UV disinfection facility in the United States.
MWRD government agency is responsible for wastewater treatment and stormwater management across Chicago and 125 Cook County communities. MWRD cleans an average of 1.3 billion gallons of water daily, releasing clean water to rivers and streams.
The delegation was particularly interested in the MWRD’s sustainable practices, such as reclaiming and reusing treated water — a concept that could prove transformative in Pakistan, where water is often a contentious and scarce resource. As they walked through the expansive facility, the delegation members took note of the technologies and strategies that could potentially be adapted to their own country’s needs.
The Plant and Bubbly Dynamics: Pioneering Urban Sustainability
Later, the group visited The Plant, an urban farming facility housed in a repurposed industrial building. The Plant embodies the principles of the circular economy, turning waste into a resource and promoting sustainable food production. For the Pakistani delegates, this visit was an eye-opener, showcasing how industrial spaces can be reimagined to serve communities and the environment. The concept of converting waste into energy and other resources resonated deeply with the group, especially given the waste management challenges faced by cities like Karachi and Lahore.
Once a century-old meatpacking facility, The Plant has been transformed into a bustling hub for over 20 diverse food businesses, all working together to redefine what food production can look like. This groundbreaking space operates on a closed-loop, zero-waste model, turning waste into valuable resources and illustrating the power of a circular economy.
Bubbly Dynamics amplifies this vision with its community-driven approach, engaging local residents and encouraging collaboration among entrepreneurs. Together, these initiatives challenge traditional notions of food production and waste management, proving that sustainability and economic growth can not only coexist but also drive urban revitalization.
Bridging Cultures through Urban Planning
A particularly poignant moment came during their visit to the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN). Here, the delegation met with Rami Nashashibi, IMAN’s executive director, who discussed the organization’s “Go Green” initiative — a program aimed at promoting sustainable development in Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods.
The discussion highlighted the critical role that community engagement plays in urban planning, a lesson that resonated strongly with the delegation. They recognized the parallels between Chicago’s South Side and many of Pakistan’s urban areas, where marginalized communities often bear the brunt of poor planning and lack of resources.
Their time at IMAN underscored a broader theme of the visit: the need for development projects that prioritize the needs and voices of local communities. The Pakistani delegation, many of whom had spent years working in urban planning and development, found this focus on community-led initiatives both inspiring and instructive.
The exchange was not just about learning technical solutions; it was also an opportunity to bridge cultural divides. As the delegation explored Chicago’s neighborhoods, from the bustling Devon Avenue, known for its South Asian community, to the artistic enclaves of South Side Chicago, they were reminded of the importance of cultural inclusivity in urban planning.
Building Connections with Communities
Another highlight was their visit to Grow Greater Englewood, a social enterprise focused on developing sustainable local food systems. In this South Side neighborhood, where disinvestment and neglect have long been the norm, the Pakistani delegation witnessed the power of grassroots activism in transforming communities. The enterprise’s work in promoting land sovereignty and green business development offered valuable lessons for Pakistan, where community-driven initiatives often face numerous challenges.
To gain a deeper understanding of how to engage the local urban communities to initiate and scale up environmentally sustainable, socially just, and economically viable development projects in cities, the delegation participated in an interactive workshop on the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach led by Mr. De’Amon Harges, Founder, The Learning Tree. The workshop focused on techniques to leverage the community’s existing assets for promoting sustainable urban solutions.
Consular Connection
At the Pakistan Consulate in Chicago, the delegation met with Tariq Karim, the Consul General of Pakistan, who emphasized the importance of U.S.-Pakistan collaborations in addressing climate change and urban challenges. “Climate change is a significant challenge, but it can also be leveraged to build partnerships among the U.S. and Pakistan for increasing resilience in both countries,” Karim told the delegation. His words served as a reminder that international cooperation is key to tackling the global issues that transcend borders.
Reflections at DePaul University
The visit concluded with a reflection session at DePaul University’s Steans Center. Here, the delegation gathered to discuss their experiences, sharing insights and considering how the lessons learned in Chicago could be applied back home. The discussions were charged with a sense of urgency and excitement, particularly among the younger members of the group, who saw in Chicago a model for what their cities could become.
Zoupash Khan, a student from COMSATS University Islamabad, was particularly moved by the experience. “What stood out to me the most was how communities here are deeply involved in urban development. It’s not just about buildings and infrastructure—it’s about people,” she said. Khan’s reflection captured the essence of the delegation’s journey: the recognition that sustainable urban development is as much about human connections as it is about physical spaces.
Dr. Sohail Yousaf, a professor at Quaid-i-Azam University, emphasized the role of academia in promoting community engagement. “What we’ve seen here in Chicago should be a model for our universities in Pakistan. Students should be required to engage with communities as part of their education,” he suggested. His remarks pointed to a potential shift in how urban planning is taught in Pakistan, one that places greater emphasis on social responsibility.
Ayesha Majid, Senior Program Coordinator at the Institute of Urbanism (IoU), echoed these sentiments, noting the energy and potential of Pakistan’s youth. “Our young people are our biggest asset. With the right support and skills, they can drive the change needed to make our cities greener and more livable,” she said. Majid’s words reflected the optimism that permeated the delegation’s reflections — a belief that the future of Pakistan’s cities could indeed be brighter.
Return home with a renewed purpose
As the Pakistani delegation prepared to leave Chicago, they carried with them not just the knowledge of innovative urban practices but also a renewed sense of purpose. The exchange visit had been more than just a professional development opportunity; it had been a journey of discovery, learning, and inspiration.
For Mariyam Irfan, Managing Director of the School of Leadership Foundation (SoLF), the visit reinforced the importance of youth leadership in urban development. “The experiences we’ve had here will help us empower young people in Pakistan to take the lead in making our cities more sustainable,” she said.
The Green Urban Development initiative, supported by the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, has laid the groundwork for ongoing collaboration between the U.S. and Pakistan. As the delegation members return home, they are equipped with new ideas and strategies that could reshape the urban landscapes of their own cities.
But perhaps more importantly, they return with a deeper understanding of the role that communities play in shaping the future — a lesson that transcends geography and is as relevant in Chicago as it is in Karachi or Islamabad. The challenge now lies in translating these lessons into action, ensuring that the vision of sustainable, inclusive urban development becomes a reality in Pakistan.