Seaview For All

Let us talk about accessibility and inclusivity.

The conversation on disenfranchisement, exclusion, inaccessibility and marginalization is quite common in Pakistan. The good thing is there are many ongoing efforts to increase inclusivity and accessibility, yet a lot more can be done.

One of the spaces in Karachi that is perhaps the most public, yet there is concern about its accessibility is Seaview. It is one of the best recreation spots for locals, and tourists alike! However, there is a glaring absence of pathways for those that are wheelchair bound or visually impaired. This oversight makes the beach and the ocean inaccessible to a huge number of people. The solution, though, is quite simple: an ‘Arabian Sea Accessibility Platform’ (ASAP) (as shown in the attached photo) especially designed for our friends on wheelchairs and our friends that are visually impaired.

Actually let’s take it one step further: An environmentally friendly ‘Arabian Sea Accessibility Platform’ made out of recycled materials. This platform won’t just make it easier for wheelchair bound and visually impaired friends to access the beach/ocean, but also create awareness about sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.

Urban Planner, Mr. Farhan Anwar Founder & CEO 'Urban Collaborative' shared the idea and Mr. Omair Ahmad, Founder & CEO of the ‘Shamil Initiative’ and Executive Director of ‘NOWPDP – A Disability Inclusion Initiative’ endorsed the idea saying ‘our colleagues and friends on wheelchairs and those who are visually impaired will appreciate this idea.’

I also think it is a simple yet beautiful idea that will help make Karachi a more accessible, inclusive, and egalitarian space and our Seaview enjoyable for more people. Plus, we hope this would be an important step towards promoting Universal Access Design in our open built spaces all across the city.

Hence, I request the authorities in charge of caring for Karachi and Seaview such as CBC, DHA, KMC, Govt. of Sindh, Govt. of Pakistan etc. to please think about implementing this idea. I am sure Urban planners such as Mr. Farhan Anwar and organizations such as NOWPDP would be more than happy to advise on the design to make the ‘Arabian Sea Accessibility Platform’ inclusive and accessibility friendly; recycling organizations such as Garbagecan can advise on how to make it from recycled materials; while the citizens of Pakistan would support the effort wholeheartedly!