CBD Lahore aims to become ‘world-class business hub’

LAHORE: In 2021, the Punjab government revealed plans to develop a world-class business hub in Lahore by the name of Central Business District (CBD), repurposing the Walton Airport site.

CEO of the Lahore Central Business District Development Authority, Imran Amin explains the goal of the initiative to be developing investor and eco-friendly projects within the CBD. “Pakistan lacked an international-level central business district,” he said.

Amin shared that International Safety Organizations raised concerns about Walton Airport’s safety. This concern, combined with the city’s location and potential, paved the way for the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to repurpose the site for high-rise developments.

Walton Airport was earmarked as the first location for a project of this kind in Pakistan – a model that will be followed in other cities as well.

According to Amin, early sales included five CBD plots, which generated a revenue of 21.5 billion rupees. Following this, seven more plots brought in twenty-four billion rupees, forecasting a future where the CBD houses eighty to a hundred plots.

The CBD’s crown jewel, according to Amin, is the Bab e Pakistan project, a structure of significant historical relevance that has been pending for years. Funding and development plans have been finalized, and with continued plot sales, the goal is to complete this project within ten months.

In a nod to Islamabad’s model, a section within the CBD will host diplomatic quarters, consolidating Lahore’s embassies. This move is designed to improve security and transportation for the diplomatic community.

Emphasizing the project’s long-term vision, Amin noted initiatives to ensure a constant power supply, water availability, rainwater collection, and the project’s commitment to eco-friendly practices. Infrastructure upgrades have been made to accommodate essential utilities. Special efforts are underway to secure environmental certifications from the US Green Building Council, with initiatives like building the nation’s first “blue road” to minimize heat absorption.

“Maintaining high environmental standards is paramount,” said Amin, aiming for a standard akin to global cities like Singapore and London.

In terms of infrastructure, Amin revealed that construction on Walton Road will begin in September. “The plan is to refurbish the entire road within six to eight months once the rainy season subsides,” he said.

This ambitious CBD project, with its myriad of goals and plans, aims to transform Lahore into a prime hub of business, diplomacy, and environmental sustainability in the region.