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[[Private-sector]] '''Low Cost Housing in Pakistan''' was initially based on the concept of providing [[House|housing facilities]] to the [[general public]], without making enormous [[Profit (economics)|profits]]. It was pioneered by [[Al Azam|Al Azam Limited Construction Company]], a start-up construction company, that launched the "Low Cost Housing Society" in [[Karachi]] during the 1960s.
The concept of Low Cost Housing in Pakistan was probably based on the idea of providing the low-priced housing facilities to the people through low-cost construction without making enormous gains from the construction business.
 
Al Azam built very low-priced [[Residential area|residential]]- as well as [[Retailing#Shops and Stores|commercial-type]] accommodations in Karachi and [[Hyderabad, Pakistan|Hyderabad]], using the [[apartment]] system. It managed to keep prices down, without sacrificing quality, by:
* reducing its [[profit margin]]; and
* increasing [[land-use density]].
   
   
[[Image: azamlowcosthousing1.jpg|left|thumb|250px| A group of builders gather at a construction site in Karachi during1966.]] 
During the 1970s, '''M.Y Corporation''','''Rukunuddin Construction Company''' and '''Hasan''' '''Associate''' come in to construction arena with a commitment to provide low cost housing and followed Al Azam's footstep. The company, which was formed by a retired [[Supervisor|overseer]] from the Pakistan Works Department (PWD), also introduced low-cost [[Prefabrication|prefabricated]] housing units, in addition to their regular low-priced apartments. The quality and safety of their units, however, were generally viewed as inferior.
In the beginning of construction era in the private sector, M/s Al Azam Limited Construction Company created the Low Cost Housing Society in Karachi during the nineteen sixties. And simultaneously for the first time ever, the Al Azam pioneered the low-cost apartment system in Pakistan by introducing the residential as well as commercial type of accommodations in Karachi and Hyderabad at very low prices.  
 
The object was to provide economical accommodations for public through cut-rate construction without seeking enormous gains from construction selling. And to lessen the cost by dividing it between other linked units equally via surplus production while maintaining the quality as well.
[[Image: azamwalk1.jpg|right|thumb|250px| Some architects and engineers surveying a construction site in Karachi in1966.]] 
   
   
Similarly during the seventies, the Rukunuddin Construction Company, which was formed by a 1958 retired overseer from PWD (Pakistan Works Department) created the low-priced apartments similar to Al Azam. M/s. Rukunuddin additionally introduced the prefabricated economical housing units in addition to the regular low-priced apartments.  But as per the public, the Rukunuddin built project was not durable and safe enough to a required degree.
Maymar, another [[construction]] company, entered the market in the late 70s, with residential apartments and housing units that were probably the best ever built, and they were highly successful. As demand for better housing accommodation increased, Maymar moved [[upmarket]], leaving behind the low-cost housing sector.   
 
However during the delayed seventies another
first-rate construction company known as Maymar put on the market their residential apartments and housing units that were probably the best ever built before and were very successful. But later as the time went on and construction matured increasing the demand for better accommodation, Maymar switched to classy and high-quality construction instead of low-cost.   


During the late seventies and nineteen eighties there came an age of mushroom growth of construction companies in the private sector that went unchecked due to corrupt administration. Several new people jumped into the construction selling just to swindle money from the public. Most of them were totally seeking financial gains with no concern about quality and safety of buildings.  Even the monthly installments were too high-set which common man was unable to afford. The public lost certain amount of faith in the low cost housing projects because the low cost construction collapsed in the wrong hands and proved unsafe and disastrous resulting in several building collapses within the country killing innocent people due to dishonesty and thieving in construction material resulting in Poor construction and other various negative aspects.
Construction firms, such as Cellrock and Abidi, entered the industry in the early 1980s to focus on low-cost prefabricated housing units. As the quality of their construction was substandard, these efforts proved unsuccessful, causing serious financial losses.


Firms similar to M/s Cellrock and Abidi assembled the low-cost prefabricated Housing units during the early eighties but their efforts proved infertile due to substandard construction causing serious financial loss bringing end to their survival.  
Companies like cooliobob and Maymar were able to evolve primarily due to the establishment of an institution by the name of Karachi Development Authority.  It was entrusted with the task of making new development schemes for the city of Karachi and simultaneously the institution also established a wing by the name of Public Housing Scheme which was entrusted with the task of construction and selling finished housing in shape of flats/houses as the case may be.  However since the need for housing was so much in the city that Public Housing Scheme could not have fulfilled on its own. This was the reason the Karachi Development Authority facilitated the builders like Al-Azam and Maymar with cheap lands to share its burden of providing finished housing to the people- the concept was considered noble and there was no risk of losses.  However the chaos started when these cheap lands were distributed by corrupt bureaucrats to non professional builders.  These corrupt and non professional builders not only damaged the industry but they also made the survival of companies making good quality housing difficult.  On the other hand the Public Housing Scheme which was still succeeding in providing decently priced and decently quality housing to the city was hit hard by the collapse of utility companies who failed to provide them utility connections in time.  Thus the last hope of people getting good quality housing with safety of investment also went down with the closure of Public Housing Scheme.  


[[Image: Azamfriend1.jpg|left|thumb|250px| Official visitors at a construction site in Karachi at some point in1966]] 
The construction industry began to mushroom towards the end of the '70s. Most of the new companies joined the industry merely to make a quick profit, without regards for the [[quality]] and [[safety]] of their buildings. Monthly installments were also too costly for most of the general public. As a result of [[Political corruption|corrupt]] [[Public administration|administrative]] practices, public confidence in low-cost housing projects suffered after some low-cost buildings collapsed, due to poor construction and thieving of construction materials.
In the beginning of the construction era in Pakistan the low-cost apartments were very successful. Still according to the general public, the Al Azam Built apartments were strong-built and durable. But with the passage of time the firms akin to Al Azam have disappeared from the market and now only once in a blue moon construct in distant areas of cities and towns. This happened because they remained glued to the outdated mode of construction and did not develop with time or maybe due to some other unidentified cause.  


However the people of the earlier days of the building age in Pakistan were uninformed about construction. Yet in this day and age, due to the growing awareness among the public with the passage of time, the concept of housing and construction has twisted more toward high-quality and deluxe housing. And due to the ever-increasing competition in the field of construction selling, an average builder seeks everlastingly more and more gains from his investment.  
Firms such as Al Azam are nowadays very rare, as most construction firms still preoccupy themselves with traditional outdated modes of construction. As the general public becomes increasingly knowledgeable and affluent, housing and construction are increasingly focusing on high -end and high-quality deluxe housing, where profits are also better. Today, low-cost housing are largely confined to remote city and town areas, and are largely managed by the [[government]].


Today the low-cost housing commonly survives in particular far-flung areas of cities and towns, which are mostly out-of-the-way. And is by and large managed by the government.


Due to the growing awareness among the public and demand for superior mode of construction, the standard construction has risen on an
After the devastating earthquake in [[Kashmir]], many houses, schools and clinics has been destroyed. The demand is huge and has highlighted the fact that globally there is a massive shortage of artisans such as [[bricklayers]]. Because of this dilemma more focus is given to [[building systems]] such as [[Moladi]] who was invited to [[Pakistan]] to assist in the reconstruction program.{{Fact|date=July 2007}}
average-scale. Generally a normal builder focuses on earning maximum amount of profit from his business and endeavor to provide high-priced accommodation instead of the low-cost.  


==References==
{{reflist}}
*[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_24-11-2002_pg3_8 POETIC LICENCE: Low-cost cities: an innovative new concept for urban development] Daily Times (Sunday, November 24, 2002)
*[http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4456&Itemid=2 Low-cost housing facility for poors top priority: Governor] © 2007 Associated Press of Pakistan


.
[[Category:Housing by country|Pakistan]]
[[Category:Pakistani society]]
[[Category:Economy of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Construction]]

Latest revision as of 23:44, 12 November 2010

Private-sector Low Cost Housing in Pakistan was initially based on the concept of providing housing facilities to the general public, without making enormous profits. It was pioneered by Al Azam Limited Construction Company, a start-up construction company, that launched the "Low Cost Housing Society" in Karachi during the 1960s.

Al Azam built very low-priced residential- as well as commercial-type accommodations in Karachi and Hyderabad, using the apartment system. It managed to keep prices down, without sacrificing quality, by:

During the 1970s, M.Y Corporation,Rukunuddin Construction Company and Hasan Associate come in to construction arena with a commitment to provide low cost housing and followed Al Azam's footstep. The company, which was formed by a retired overseer from the Pakistan Works Department (PWD), also introduced low-cost prefabricated housing units, in addition to their regular low-priced apartments. The quality and safety of their units, however, were generally viewed as inferior.

Maymar, another construction company, entered the market in the late 70s, with residential apartments and housing units that were probably the best ever built, and they were highly successful. As demand for better housing accommodation increased, Maymar moved upmarket, leaving behind the low-cost housing sector.

Construction firms, such as Cellrock and Abidi, entered the industry in the early 1980s to focus on low-cost prefabricated housing units. As the quality of their construction was substandard, these efforts proved unsuccessful, causing serious financial losses.

Companies like cooliobob and Maymar were able to evolve primarily due to the establishment of an institution by the name of Karachi Development Authority. It was entrusted with the task of making new development schemes for the city of Karachi and simultaneously the institution also established a wing by the name of Public Housing Scheme which was entrusted with the task of construction and selling finished housing in shape of flats/houses as the case may be. However since the need for housing was so much in the city that Public Housing Scheme could not have fulfilled on its own. This was the reason the Karachi Development Authority facilitated the builders like Al-Azam and Maymar with cheap lands to share its burden of providing finished housing to the people- the concept was considered noble and there was no risk of losses. However the chaos started when these cheap lands were distributed by corrupt bureaucrats to non professional builders. These corrupt and non professional builders not only damaged the industry but they also made the survival of companies making good quality housing difficult. On the other hand the Public Housing Scheme which was still succeeding in providing decently priced and decently quality housing to the city was hit hard by the collapse of utility companies who failed to provide them utility connections in time. Thus the last hope of people getting good quality housing with safety of investment also went down with the closure of Public Housing Scheme.

The construction industry began to mushroom towards the end of the '70s. Most of the new companies joined the industry merely to make a quick profit, without regards for the quality and safety of their buildings. Monthly installments were also too costly for most of the general public. As a result of corrupt administrative practices, public confidence in low-cost housing projects suffered after some low-cost buildings collapsed, due to poor construction and thieving of construction materials.

Firms such as Al Azam are nowadays very rare, as most construction firms still preoccupy themselves with traditional outdated modes of construction. As the general public becomes increasingly knowledgeable and affluent, housing and construction are increasingly focusing on high -end and high-quality deluxe housing, where profits are also better. Today, low-cost housing are largely confined to remote city and town areas, and are largely managed by the government.


After the devastating earthquake in Kashmir, many houses, schools and clinics has been destroyed. The demand is huge and has highlighted the fact that globally there is a massive shortage of artisans such as bricklayers. Because of this dilemma more focus is given to building systems such as Moladi who was invited to Pakistan to assist in the reconstruction program.[citation needed]

References

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