Support research activities, carry out studies, and prepare policies, plans and projects – as well as discourse with the citizenry and the intellectuals.
Provide technical support on policies and planning for urban development and more effective urbanization in Sindh.
Support economic regeneration, investment management, urban governance and municipal services by implementing development projects in the short, medium and long terms.
Establish urban resource center and promote reforms for urban economic and social development provide support to cities/ local administration and management on urban issues including preparation of development / master plans, surveys, GIS mapping and studies Pilot innovation, and work for capacity building.
Planning for sustainable urban development in the province and achieving the objectives of economic growth, planned infrastructure development – guided by a strong policy and regulatory regime in urban Sindh.
Strategic planning and robust urban management is pivotal to address the ongoing urbanization challenges. Sindh is an urbanized province of the country as more than 52% of its total population settled in urban areas. During last two decades, for several reasons, migration to urban areas has rapidly grown; large influx of rural population into urban areas has created a variety of issues and heavy burden on already dilapidated urban infrastructures, resulting in expansion in a haphazard manner.
Here I see an opportunity for the intermediary cities of Sindh as they are still in the early stages of urbanization and this gives us an opportunity to prepare their urban expansion and development in a planned manner so that they can contribute as “Engines of Economic Growth”. Another milestone of Sindh Government to achieve economic and socially equitable growth is Poverty Reduction Strategy, focusing on betterment of masses living under poverty line to provide them sustainable urbanization solutions through Establishment of Rural Growth Centers/Service Hubs, Urban Economic Clusters, Community Driven Local Development.
The Directorate of Urban Policy & Strategic Planning, Planning & Development (P&DD) has been established to, inter alia, address the challenges and opportunities, posed by urbanization. The Directorate is actively engaged and successfully preparing/ pursuing policies, strategies and master plans laying out guidelines for systematic and sustained urbanization in the province. I wish team of Directorate best in future and would like to see them developing as a strong technical arm of Government of Sindh.
Addressing urban and regional challenges is a daunting task and demands dedicated and concerted efforts in the right direction to address sustainable change and equitable development targets. The Directorate has the potential to address such challenges of development planning in the urban & regional sectors. Today, population in Sindh is more inclined towards urban areas than the rural. However, most of the urban expansion is happening in the shape of informal settlements which lack the basic amenities and opportunities to prosper. Urban planners are anticipating that the unplanned growth of urban areas will take shape of horizontal expansion whereas the need of vertical expansion is the significant requirement of future planning.
The continuous commendable performance of the Directorate of Urban Policy & Strategic Planning now spans to 9 years under the umbrella of Planning & Development Department, Government of Sindh has contributed various valuable plans and policies for Urban & Regional Revitalization and Development.
I congratulate the Directorate’s team for successfully contributing towards urban and regional development with par excellence and look forward for an even greater participation through an advanced analytical and technical approaches.
Welcome to the website of the Directorate of Urban & Regional Policy and Strategic Planning (DURPSP). It is a privilege to serve as the Director General of this pioneering institution, which plays a crucial role in strategic planning and policy reform within Sindh. DURPSP stands at the forefront of urban and regional development, leading efforts to create innovative solutions for the province’s complex challenges.
The directorate’s core mandate is to prepare comprehensive master plans for cities, addressing the pressing issue of unplanned urban expansion and the proliferation of informal settlements. These master plans aim to usher in a new era of integrated development by fostering coordination among government departments, civic agencies, local and international donors, civil society, and the private sector.
Among our significant achievements are the 17 master plans for secondary cities and district headquarters towns. Seven of these have been approved and notified, while the remaining 10 are in the advanced stages of approval. Additionally, we have initiated the creation of 14 new master plans, targeted for completion in 2025 and 2026. These plans, once implemented, will guide sustainable development, ensuring well-organized growth and service delivery in our cities.
DURPSP is leading the implementation of the province’s Poverty Reduction Strategy through the Rural Growth Centers (RGC) Project. The Sindh Government is focusing on infrastructure development within the RGCs, while the European Union addresses the soft components of the Poverty Reduction Strategy via their Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development Across Rural Sindh (PAIDAR) program. This program aims to foster economic development and support enterprise development for vulnerable populations. The RGC project focuses on five of Sindh’s least developed districts—Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar, and Kashmore—laying the foundations for socio-economic transformation in these areas.
Immediately after assuming office in February 2024, I prioritized resolving longstanding logistical issues, which had been neglected due to the absence of a full-time Director General. Within three months, we addressed critical gaps, including repairing essential office equipment, upgrading vehicles, and enhancing facilities. These improvements boosted staff morale and enabled the team to focus on delivering impactful results.
With these foundational issues resolved, the focus has shifted to accelerating the implementation of approved master plans and advancing the RGC project. I have been coordinating with the divisional commissioners to revitalize the implementation committees responsible for executing the master plans.
Government institutions are often judged by their short-term outputs, but their true value lies in their long-term societal impact. While it is still early, I am confident that DURPSP’s initiatives will soon establish its reputation as a key governance institution in Sindh and beyond.
Throughout my career, I have been a staunch advocate for governance and institutional reform. My vision for DURPSP is to elevate it as a leading institution in urban and regional planning, recognized for its innovation and impact. Together, we can foster a future marked by organized growth, socio-economic development, and opportunities for our youth and future generations.
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Dr. Imtiaz Bhatti is a senior civil servant currently serving as the Director General of Urban & Regional Policy and Strategic Planning (DURPSP) at the Planning & Development Board, Sindh. With extensive experience in civil service, academia, and development sectors, he brings a pragmatic approach to governance reform, public finance, and sustainable urban planning.
Dr. Bhatti holds a PhD in Public Policy from The George Washington University, where he specialized in public finance. A Fulbright Fellow, he has also completed advanced training in behavioral insights at the Harvard Kennedy School and was ranked first nationally in the Senior Management Course at the National Institute of Management, Karachi, in 2022.
Under his leadership, DURPSP has advanced critical initiatives, including the approval and notification of comprehensive master plans for 17 secondary cities and the implementation of the European Union-funded Rural Growth Centers (RGC) Project. These efforts aim to address unplanned urban growth and foster integrated development in Sindh.
In addition to his government roles, Dr. Bhatti has contributed to academic discourse as a visiting faculty member at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi, and has worked on development projects with organizations such as the Asian Development Bank, USAID, and the World Bank.
Dr. Bhatti is committed to creating practical and inclusive solutions for urban and regional challenges, focusing on sustainable development and improved governance outcomes in Sindh.
