Oxford launches two books on urban development and social change

Seen in the photograph are (from l to r): Naila Ghias, Joint Director, OPP-OCT; Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan; and Arif Hasan.



Seen in the photograph are (from l to r): Mansoor Raza; Naila Ghias, Joint Director, OPP-OCT; Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan; Arif Hasan; and Professor Noman Ahmed, Chairman, Department of Architecture and Planning, NED University of Engineering and Technology.



The photograph shows Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan, (centre) presenting a copy of the books launched to the authors, Mansoor Raza (extreme left) and Arif Hasan (2nd from right). Also present on the occasion were Naila Ghias, Joint Director, OPP-OCT, (2nd from left) and Professor Noman Ahmed, Chairman, Department of Architecture and Planning, NED University of Engineering and Technology (extreme right).

Karachi, 11 Dec.: Oxford University Press launched two books, dealing with social change and urban planning and development issues, titled From Micro-finance to the Building of Local Institutions: The Origins and Evolution of the Micro-credit Programme of the OPP's Orangi Charitable Trust, Karachi, Pakistan and Migration and Small Towns in Pakistan. Both the books have been written by Arif Hasan and Mansoor Raza. From Micro-finance to the Building of Local Institutions studies the evolution of the Orangi Charitable Trust (OCT) programme, its current vision, unconventional methodology, the leadership of the OCT partners, and issues related to the programme's management and sustainability. The book also describes the impact of the programme on human resource development and women, and changes in power relations between producers and market operators, and between different classes in the areas where the programme is operative. Migration and Small Towns in Pakistan describes the political, geographical, and ecological contexts within which migrations to and from Pakistan have taken place. The scale of rural-urban migration and emigration has also been examined along with its history, causes, repercussions and processes and the actors at play such as emigrant organizations, state and private agencies and illegal operators.

Arif Hasan is an architect and planner, activist, teacher and social researcher. He has been a consultant and advisor to many CBOs, NGOs, and donor agencies. Since 1981, he has been involved with the Orangi Pilot Project, first as its Chief Consultant and later as the Chairman of its Research & Training Institute. He is also the Chairman of the Urban Resource Centre, Karachi, since its inception. He is currently a visiting professor at the Department of Architecture and Planning at the NED University, Karachi.

Mansoor Raza has been a Deputy Director at the Usman Institute of Technology and is currently Deputy Director, Advocacy and Research, for the Church World Service Pakistan/Afghanistan. He has worked at the Church World Service since 2002, overseeing disaster response activities and mitigation plans for Pakistan as well as more strategic, fundraising and managerial work. Prior to this, he worked at the NGO Resource Centre, Karachi.

The launch ceremony, held at the NED University of Engineering and Technology, was attended by students, faculty members, architects, and urban development professionals. While speaking about the two books in her welcome address, Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan, said that From Micro-finance to the Building of Local Institutions is an important work, especially in the context of widespread poverty in Pakistan and the need, and steps taken, to eradicate it. She further highlighted that Migration and Small Towns in Pakistan has a theme highly relevant to our years as an independent country. While giving his views about the books being launched, Professor Noman Ahmed, Chairman, Department of Architecture and Planning, NED University, said that the impact of the indigenous development projects discussed in the books are an eye-opener on the problems and concerns of the many communities whose lives have been changed by them. He emphasized that anyone interested in the problems of poor urban areas in many underdeveloped countries would benefit from reading these books. Naila Ghias, Joint Director, OPP-OCT gave an introduction to the OPP-OCT Micro-credit Programme. The vote of thanks was presented by Mansoor Raza.