Project promoters amplify need for “community ownership” for park maintenance and success
Sultanabad’s Queen’s Park has been redeveloped for the third time by the Competitive and Livable City of Karachi (CLICK), a project funded by the World Bank in collaboration with the Sindh government.
The World Bank has allocated approximately Rs 58 million in funds for this park, located near Clifton’s Ziauddin Hospital.
“Although he is [provincial] The government’s duty to provide facilities such as parks and playgrounds, their maintenance and ongoing benefits. [from them] “They depend on community cooperation and the participation of local representatives,” stressed Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah at the inauguration ceremony on Thursday. “True ownership of development projects can only come through collaboration between elected officials, municipal administrations and citizens.”
Echoing this sentiment, CLICK project director Ayesha Hameed said The Express PAkGazette, “Parks built without the meaningful participation of local residents are not property for the community. Consequently, there is little local control or attention once the contractor leaves.”
However, he pointed to a broader structural problem within local bodies and pointed out that such projects often fall into disarray and are neglected after inauguration as it is not clear whether it is the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation or the City Municipal Corporation, the union councils or another government body responsible for their maintenance. His property remains a “gray area,” he said.
“Each park upgraded under CLICK now includes a formal handover to the respective city. A management subsidy is demarcated in the local council’s budget,” said Hameed, explaining the measures taken by CLICK to prevent deterioration of the parks.
“During the Defects Liability Period (DLP), the responsibility for maintenance, including horticultural care, irrigation and maintenance of fixtures, will be on the contractor to ensure that all works remain in good condition. Beyond the DLP, the respective Municipal Corporations of the City have been directed to take full responsibility for operations and maintenance.”
“In addition, TMCs have been encouraged to establish park management committees comprising local residents, community representatives and municipal staff to oversee maintenance, strengthen community ownership and ensure the long-term sustainability of these public assets,” Hameed added.
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The park contains a walking path, newly planted grass, and a children’s play area. There is also a ramp to accommodate wheelchair users or disabled people. Separate bathrooms have been provided for men and women.
“Shade trees and other native flora have been planted in Queen’s Park. Although they are still young at this stage, the landscaping plan ensures that as they mature they will create adequate shade and improve the microclimate of the park,” Hameed said. The express PAkGazette.
The park has been built with an effort to be inclusive for all genders. “There is a separate gate at the back of the park that was added to the design specifically to accommodate women. There will be a permanent guard here,” said Aisha Mughal, social development specialist at CLICK. “There are also specific times on certain days when only women are allowed into the park.”
She added that efforts are being made to ensure that women are an integral part of local councils so that gender-specific issues or concerns are not overlooked or ignored.
This park is the only public recreational space for the residents of Sultanabad. “The identification and prioritization of plans is carried out at the city level by the elected municipal president, based on community needs and local development priorities. Accordingly, the proposal for the improvement of this particular park was submitted by the TMC concerned, recognizing its central location, high public use and dilapidated condition,” Hameed said.
“Requests from local communities are assessed for risk and environmental impact in accordance with World Bank guidelines and then approved and prioritized based on need. We are also working in collaboration with 246 union councils, whose feedback and input we greatly value,” Mughal reaffirmed.
The park is not the biggest, greenest or most impressive, but it is a step towards making Karachi a greener city with more public spaces for local communities and citizens.
According to CLICK representatives, a total of eight parks have been completely completed and formally handed over to the respective TMCs for operation and maintenance. Another 50 parks and recreational spaces are currently being completed and are expected to open in February 2026.
