Consultative Workshop

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN KARACHI

STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE REFORMS

Friday, 20th June 2014 (3:00 – 6:00 pm)

Department of Architecture, NED Engineering University (City Campus)

Sustainable Initiatives in collaboration with Department of Architecture, NED Engineering University

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THE CONCEPT

In Karachi city, civic services in general are in a state of crisis. The larger governance construct

of local governance is in a state of uncertainty and disarray and the trust deficit between the

service provider and the consumer is widening. The solid waste management sector is probably

the worst off. With reference to other public utilities, even its institutional placement and

jurisdiction is not clear and there is a complete lack of innovation and application of widely

used alternative methods in an integrated manner such as reuse and recycling (absent at the

government level while the informal sector

is not properly documented and regulated

and is scarred by severe human rights

concerns), composting, waste to energy

options etc. While no authentic and

updated data is available on any aspect

related with the sector, all academic, civil

society research and mere observation

indicates a continuous decline in the

capacity of relevant government authorities

to meet the related challenges. All this is

happening while the population of the city

continues to spiral in an unplanned and

unregulated manner.

Within this context, a Consultative Workshop was organized by the not-for-profit organization,

Sustainable Initiatives (within the umbrella of their ‘Sustainable Karachi’ Program) in

collaboration with the Department of Architecture, NED University of Engineering and

Technology, Karachi. The aim of this workshop was to analyze the various major planning and

implementation efforts undertaken so far, the fates they met with and brainstorm on a variety

of options taking into account global and regional best practices, that may be utilized for sector

based reforms while simultaneously considering cross cutting themes such climate change,

improved health and aesthetics and opening up of new sectors of employment and financial

growth. In an interactive manner, the participants got the opportunity to discuss issues and

challenges – options for improvement – for example implementable models of public-private

partnerships, importance and areas of research and data generation, linking of solid waste

management with promoting urban agriculture and environment friendly energy generation

feasibilities. The focus of the seminar was on ‘visioning’ and ‘brainstorming’ so that a clearer

picture would emerge of a blueprint for a viable solid waste management system for Karachi

city and identification of potential roles and responsibilities of critically important government

and civil society stakeholders.

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Consultative Workshop Sustainable Initiatives in collaboration with the Department of Architecture, NED University

of Engineering and Technology, Karachi ‘Solid Waste Management System in Karachi - Strategies for Sustainable Reforms’

Friday, June 20, (3:00 – 6:00 pm)

Department of Architecture, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi

Time Activity Content Nature of Activity

2:30 – 2:45pm Registration of participants

Registration

2:45 – 2:50 pm Welcome and Workshop Introduction Naveen Aleem Bawany, Urban Planner, Sustainability Planner, Sustainable Initiatives

Speech

2:50 – 3:10pm Solid Waste Management Initiatives in Karachi - An Analysis Dr. Noman Ahmed, Chairperson Department of Architecture, NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi

Power Point Presentation

3:10 – 3:30 pm Options for a viable Solid Waste Management System – Karachi City Farhan Anwar, Urban Planner Executive Director, Sustainable Initiatives

Power Point Presentation

3:30 –3:40 pm Reflections on Karachi’s Solid Waste Management System Mansoor Ali, Practical Action, UK

Video Clip

3:40 – 3:50 pm Lahore Waste Management Company – An Introduction

Video Clip

Tea Break

4:00 – 4:40 pm Working Group Session Facilitated Session

4:40 – 5:00 pm Working Group Presentations Oral Presentation

5:00 – 5:40 pm Plenary Session Moderated General Discussion

5:40 – 6:00 pm Workshop Summation Dr. Noman Ahmed Farhan Anwar

Oral analysis

Refreshments

Workshop Moderator: Naveen Aleem Bawany, Sustainable Initiatives Working Session Facilitators: Naveen Aleem Bawany, NazishShekha, Makkiya Jawed,

Aiman Fajr (Sustainable Initiatives)

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PRESENTATIONS

Dr. Noman Ahmed, Chairperson

Department of Architecture, NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi

Solid Waste Management Initiatives in Karachi - An Analysis

Dr. Noman Ahmed, in his presentation provided an analysis on the solid waste management

system in Karachi, and laid out some important facts and problems relevant to the solid

waste management sector. His presentation began with an emphasis on the importance of

maintaining an efficient solid waste management

system for improving the quality of life of citizens.

Dr. Noman highlighted the inefficiency of this

sector in Karachi and talked about some major

problems, including, the informal slaughter

houses, the unmanageable rubber and plaster

waste and the rise of synthetic waste. He

commented on how health care waste has to be

dealt with separately than, for instance, paper

waste and different approaches should be taken

for maintaining different kinds of waste. Dr.

Noman critically analyzed in great detail the

various policies, plans, and projects formulated

and undertaken so in the city and their positive

and negative impacts. The way forward, according

to Dr. Noman is a fresh appraisal of the overall

governance of the sector, revival and strengthening of the role of the municipalities and

judicious introduction of public-private partnership models with a proper integration of the

role of the informal sector in an up-graded and reformed system .

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Farhan Anwar, Urban Planner

Executive Director, Sustainable Initiatives

Options for a viable Solid Waste Management System – Karachi City

Mr. Farhan Anwar, an urban planner and the Executive Director of ‘Sustainable Initiatives’

started his presentation with an introduction on the objectives and work of Sustainable

Initiatives which is a new NGO that aims to introduce the concepts and practices for

promoting sustainable, smart and green cities in Pakistan. Mr. Anwar pointed out the

importance of strategic planning in urban areas,

and highlighted some thematic areas namely urban

climate change, organic farming, energy efficiency

etc. He then briefed on one of the organization’s

initiative – the ‘Sustainable Karachi’ program, which

focuses on civil society based reforms and the

active engagement of youth in such initiatives. He

then focused on the workshop theme of solid

waste management challenges in Karachi City.

Firstly, Mr. Anwar pointed out that there is no

proper collection of data of the sector which is a

major issue that hinders any effective planning or

project implementation. The main focus of the

presentation was on the need for investigating

alternative methods of garbage management like

composting, linked with promotion of urban agriculture, reuse and recycling, waste to

energy, availing of carbon credits etc. He felt that immense potential existed for utilizing in

an effective manner various ways to both reduce generation levels and better manage the

generated waste. He shared with the participants various best practices at the civil society

level in other cities of the world that he felt could easily be replicated here. He concluded

his presentation with stressing the importance of creating an enabling space for the private

sector and NGO’s/CBO’s to participate in the solid waste management system and better

regulation and integration of the informal sector contributions into a mainstream

coordinated system for urban solid waste management in the city.

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Mansoor Ali, Practical Action, UK

Reflections on Karachi’s Solid Waste Management System

Mansoor Ali, a specialist in solid waste

management, presently based in UK but having an

extensive experience of working in this sector in

Karachi through a video link also spoke on the

occasion. He focused on the importance of getting

the household collection system right and effective

engagement of non-state actors for improving the

system

Following the presentations, a video was played that documented the privatization of the

solid waste management system in Lahore city – the establishment of the Lahore Solid Waste

Company (LSWMC)

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Discussion Session

A lively and interactive general

discussion session followed the

presentations and video session.

The participants were of the view

that the solid waste management

system should be considered as

an integrated system with the

start being made from reducing

the waste generation levels – e.g.

complete discouragement of the

use of plastic shopping bags. It

was felt that presently the system

was deeply fragmented with high

levels of ill planned decentralization. With regards possibilities of privatizing the system

some concerns were raised on the fate of the existing non-formal sector players once

privatization takes place. It was suggested that systems can be developed of integrating the

non-formal operators in a more organized system with private sector engagement.

Commenting on the present situation, participants agreed that presently because of high

level of rent seeking, the private sector is discouraged to engage with the relevant

government institutions. There was a consensus that private sector participation can only

succeed if it is properly regulated and some system is placed to subsidize the process to

protect the financially marginalized

sections of the society. It was also

suggested that till such time a ‘major

intervention’ happens, small scale

projects and processes can be initiated

with multi-stakeholder involvement

that can lead to more holistic levels of

improvement. It was strongly felt that

the ‘informal sector’ has to be on

board for any major intervention to

succeed and a political will has to exist

to facilitate a process of improvement.

There was a also a view expressed that ‘lifestyle’ changes need to be made to reduce the

pressure on the system as growing levels of ‘consumerism’ are increasing the levels of

waste generation.

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NEWS COVERAGE

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The Sustainable Initiatives Team!

Farhan Anwar, Executive Director, SI, did his Bachelors in Civil Engineering and

Masters in Urban and Regional Planning and operates as an urban planning and

development consultant. He specializes in strategic planning for sector and

institutional reforms and change management. His portfolio includes urban

sustainability planning and managing participatory planning processes, stakeholder

dialogue and consensus building using various participatory planning and social

accountability tools

Seema Khurram, Executive Director, SI, did her M.A in International Relations from

the University of Karachi in 2003. She has been associated with the development

sector for the last ten years specializing in social research and surveys. With work

experience in renowned organizations like Actionaid, WW F-Pakistan, Nielsen (Pvt.)

Limited and Entrepreneurship and Community Development Institute (ECDI) her

special interest is in community development, training, and poverty alleviation issues.

Naveen Bawany, Sustainability Planner, SI, holds an undergraduate degree in

Business Management & Urban Development and a Masters in Urban and Regional

Planning from the University of Westminster, London UK.; where her main focus was

local community involvement and participation in major infrastructure projects in the

London area. .She has previously worked in Transport Planning as part of the Planning

and Consents Team at High Speed 1 (HS 1) formerly known as the Channel Tunnel Rail

Link (CTRL) project dealing mainly with restoration and noise issues. She has a special interest in

conservation and heritage.

Nazish Shekha, Research Advisor, SI, specializes in sustainability strategies and

communications. Nazish holds a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Sciences from

King's College London, University of London and a post graduate diploma in

International Environmental Law from the United Nations Institute of Training and

Research. She also has certifications in occupational health, environmental audits and

energy conservation.

Makkiya Jawed, Research Coordinator, SI, has received a Bachelor’s degree in Social

Sciences from SZABIST University with her Major’s being in Psychology. She has had

prior working experience at AKESP, The Garage School and WWF Pakistan.

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Aiman Fajr, Project Intern, SI, is a First Year, BSc Economics Students at LUMS

will intern at Sustainable Initiatives this summer. Aiman is presently also part of

the Literati Pakistan at LUMS and was a former Head of the Social Justice Society

at Lyceum School, Karachi

Jam Najaf Ali, Project Intern, SI, is a student of International Studies at Sabanci

University, Istanbul, Turkey

Sustainable Initiatives Team at the Workshop