Peshawar city is also known as city of flowers. It is the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The city is important politically, economically and strategically not only for the province but also for the country. It is the main door of trade and transport to Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and many other Gulp countries. Due to its geographic position it is also part of China Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC). Peshawar is the sixth-largest city of Pakistan. Khyber Pass about 30 kilometer away from the city has its own old history as a route for traders. Historians wrote that once Peshawar was hub and center for all traders who were interested to bring or buy to indo-Pak from central Asia or Gulp countries. Peshawar region was a cosmopolitan region in which goods, peoples, and ideas would pass along trade routes (Richards et al 1995). The NATO supply for war of peace in Afghanistan was passed through this historical city because it was surveyed as most appropriate passage for the supply. Recently in CPEC project Peshawar will be the center for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, tribal areas and for trade across the border.

Geographically position of Peshawar city is 44°15′ North Latitude; 71°42′ East Longitude. The city is speeded over an area of 1257 square kilometer (Dewan et al 2012). Peshawar is also declared in history as city of flowers in the history but now in 2016 (WHO) conducted a statistical survey in 3000 cities across the globe and declare Peshawar the third most polluted urban center (Zulfiqar 2017). According to Prof Shafiq, an expert blames huge traffic, bad roads and unplanned construction for growing air pollution in city. Rapid urbanization affected the landscape and water drainage system of the city and become flood when rain occurs. Built up land increase up to 27%, agriculture land decrease up to 23.56%, and water bodies increased up to 0.27% (Raziq et al 2016).

Peshawar city is economically important and as passage of trade needs few modifications to make it “ecofriendly and green city”. To decrease the population burden it should be connected to the nearest surrounding small cities i.e. Nowshehra, Swabi and Charssada by rapid semi-underground railway system. For better security check a ring road with proper entry and exit point will be helpful. To cope with the supply of water proper filtered water from river Kabul situated at a distance of 15 kilometer from the city can cope the water shortage and healthy drinkable water. The RTS “Rapid transit service” in Peshawar is launched by provincial government and railway tracks along the city which will be renewed in CPEC project should be environment friendly and according to EPA “Environment protection agency” measures. Proper sewage, energy, transport, plantation and security system will make the city safe, green and eco-friendly.

The methodology adopted for an ideal city needs less sources and smart expenditure of funds. The population statistics indicate the city as number six in the country. To decrease the population as we cannot stop urbanization the city should be connected to surrounding small city by rapid railway system. The journey will reduce to 10 to 12 minute instead of hours and people will feel feasible to live in the small city instead of making Peshawar more populated.  In Rapid transport system and railway track as it will be renewed in CPEC project must be eco-friendly. The vertical gardening as it is practice in china i.e. city near China’s Liuzhou Stefano (Gibson 2017). Vertical gardening will be developed for the beautification and smog reduction which ranked the city at number three more polluted in the world. Plant-covered buildings are also proving extremely popular with architects in Kengo Kuma and Jean Nouvel all covering projects in greenery (Gibson 2017). Green belt across the city with sunflower crop cultivation and other Palm plantation will reduce smog problem.  (https://www.facebook.com/C42.lahore/videos/1854687814572345/?id=100007706026369 )

Proper solar system installment in renewable energy supply and will make the city more eco-friendly. The same idea is in practice at San Francisco according to “Scott Wiener, who introduced the idea said the new measure would put San Francisco at the forefront of the US fight against climate change” (Guardian 2017).

According to a survey about 5 lac vehicle cross per day across the city main road. Increase in vehicle need proper check and balance. The authorities will be directed to ban old or environment unfriendly vehicle in the city. CNG and other less fuel burn transport will be allowed inside the city. Solar rickshaw will be introduce for local passengers in the city.

River Kabul situated to the north of the city can also be utilized for trade across the border to Afghanistan, Russia and central Asia in the CPEC project. This design will be help to promote eco-tourism. Mangroves plantation on each side of the river will provide natural barrier to protect the city from flood etc.

Ring road already constructed with proper “Entry and Exit point” will be modified for making the lives of the citizen safer.

Proper sewage system in the new project related CPEC related in the city will reduce the ratio of disease in the citizens.  The “Teenwin sewage treatment technology” will be fixed (In which sewage water is passed to a main pipe and then through MBR system and at the end purified water is extracted which can be used for the purpose of irrigation, car washing, toilets, landscaping and in fountains) ( http://www.teenwin.com/uploads/2017/02/021751072706.png )

Kitchen gardening on ceiling or inside the houses will be encouraged for self-dependency for food items. House plant are also useful to be introduce that will reduce the magnetic, CFCs and GHGs releasing from every building in the city.

Awareness is needed to maintain the above mentioned safe, green and eco-friendly tactics. There will be monthly seminar in various schools, colleges, parks, hospitals and playgrounds of the city.people will ensure their responsibility to maintain the eco-friendly status of the city.

The population due to urbanization will reduce due to inter-connection with other nearest small cities. People will get environment friendly and smog free city. The will get a healthy and pleasant environment everywhere due unique architect designs. Healthy drinkable water in ample amount will be available to the citizen. Solar system installment on ceilings will fulfill their individual house hold energy needs. Kitchen gardening will fulfill their daily needs for food. They will feel safe after proper entry and exit points on ring road of the city. Proper sewerage will help in reduction of diseases i.e. Dengue, Malaria, T.B and many other epidemic diseases beside it treatment with “teen win bioreactor system” it can be recycled.

The interconnection cities will reduce population and economic burden on the main city of Peshawar.  It will be an ideal city because of its unique design, self-dependency in energy, security, food and water supply. If focused, we can make it model city In CPEC project as hub for trade if it is connected to surrounding small cities and utilize “River Kabul” for cheapest source of trade to Afghanistan, Russia, central Asia and Gulp countries.

This article is collectively authored by Zahoor ul haq and Shuja ul Mulk Khan from Quaid e Azam University Islamabad.