Rawalpindi: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has announced that new housing schemes will no longer be permitted in green belt areas, as part of a broader initiative to protect environmental zones and promote sustainable urban growth.
Speaking on Sunday, RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza stated that the authority is finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Land Information and Management System (LIMS) to support this enforcement strategy.
The planned collaboration will introduce advanced land data monitoring tools to help RDA identify and curb unauthorized developments, particularly in designated green zones. The move comes amid growing concern over unregulated urban expansion, which has led to the encroachment of green spaces and increased pressure on civic infrastructure.
“The MoU will pave the way for smart urban governance in Rawalpindi,” said DG Kinza Murtaza. “With real-time data integration and oversight, we aim to make land use decisions more transparent, efficient, and environmentally responsible.”
Through the LIMS partnership, RDA intends to digitize land records, improve urban planning transparency, and enhance enforcement of zoning regulations. The system will allow RDA to track development activities and ensure that green belt areas remain preserved for ecological balance and public well-being.
The initiative aligns with the authority’s broader vision of technology-led urban development that prioritizes sustainability. It will also support long-term planning goals, such as reducing unplanned sprawl, managing population growth, and improving the quality of life for Rawalpindi’s residents.
RDA officials believe the partnership with LIMS will not only curb unauthorized housing activity but also streamline planning permissions, foster better coordination between agencies, and help shape a data-driven future for urban governance in Rawalpindi.
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