The Kabul-Ghazi Corridor represents a significant urban development initiative within Kabul city, spanning three main sections—Dehmazang-Kota-Sangi Road, Kampani Road, and the Kabul-Ghazi Main Road. With a total length of 12.2 kilometers and varying widths of 36, 50, and 10 meters, the corridor passes through districts 5, 3, 13, and 14, incorporating nine major nodes and two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes (2 and 4). While this project marks a critical milestone in urban planning, it raises questions about its long-term implications, drawing parallels to past urban corridor designs.
Historical Context: Lessons from Maiwand Road
The concept of urban corridors in Kabul is not new. In 1948, Ghulam Mohammad Farhad, Kabul’s first mayor, initiated the construction of Maiwand Road as a modern urban corridor. Spanning 2,300 meters in length and 40 meters in width, Maiwand Road featured pedestrian lanes of 2–4 meters and was lined with four-story buildings. However, its construction came at a significant cost—the traditional structure of the old city was compromised as the corridor divided it into two parts. This intervention, while modern in its intent, is widely regarded as a failed attempt to standardize Kabul’s historic fabric, leaving a cautionary tale for future urban projects.
Kabul Urban Design Framework and the Role of SASAKI
The current corridor development falls under the Kabul Urban Design Framework (KUDF), crafted in 2017 by the American firm SASAKI under the directive of former President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani. SASAKI’s ambitious plan proposed 16 urban corridors for Kabul, with detailed designs for the Darul Aman and airport corridors. Between 2020 and 2021, the Planning and Implementation Department of Kabul Municipality (KM)collaborated with the Office of the Senior Advisor to the President on Urban Development Affairs to prepare zoning rules and implement plans, including the Kabul-Ghazi Corridor.
In October 2024, KM announced the initiation of construction on the Aqrab Road section of the corridor, stretching from Dehmazang to Mirwais Maidan. This marked the Kabul-Ghazi Corridor as the first to be implemented under the KUDF. Spanning 3,226 meters, the new corridor is set to expand its current width from 36 to 60 meters. Key design features include pedestrian walkways, bicycle paths, and three rows of trees lining both sides of the road. Demolition and acquisition efforts, including 50 properties (mostly state-owned), have progressed rapidly, yet the corridor’s final design has not been made public.
Critical Questions About the Project
The Kabul-Ghazi Corridor raises several important questions:
- Why was this corridor chosen as the first to be implemented?
- Are the starting and ending points optimal for the corridor’s effectiveness?
- To what extent has the corridor’s historical significance been considered?
- How was the overall vision for the corridor formulated?
The decision to prioritize this corridor appears to stem largely from economic feasibility. Most properties along its path are state-owned, including Ghazi High School, the Electricity Department, the Ministry of Higher Education, Kabul University, and Dehburi Park. This ownership has reduced acquisition costs and streamlined the demolition process. Only 1,096 meters of private property needed to be acquired, minimizing financial and logistical challenges. However, other corridors in Kabul, with heavier traffic congestion, have not yet been addressed, raising questions about the KM’s prioritization criteria.
Connectivity and Design Challenges
The corridor’s intended function is to connect the western parts of Kabul to the city center, accommodating BRT, private vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Yet, the current design phase for the Dehmazang-Mirwais Maidan section neglects critical transportation infrastructure like dedicated bus lanes and bicycle paths, limiting its functionality for a diverse urban population. Without pedestrian-friendly pathways and proper connectivity to the city center, the corridor risks becoming a conduit for private vehicles, exacerbating existing urban challenges rather than alleviating them.
Opportunities for Integration with Historic and Recreational Spaces
Key locations along the corridor, such as Kabul Zoo, Kabul Bagh, Shahr Park, and the Machine House, present opportunities for integrating green spaces and enhancing urban connectivity. Relocating the Kabul Zoo to an area outside the city could free up space for the corridor while expanding green areas. Similarly, unplanned areas opposite the zoo, along the mountainside, could be allocated for infrastructural developments.
The SASAKI plan envisions an air bridge connecting Kabul Bagh, Kabul Zoo Park, and Machine House Park with pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths. The Aga Khan Office is currently developing City Park and Machine House, with 85% of the work already completed. These initiatives could transform this historic area into a vibrant social, economic, and recreational hub, reinforcing the corridor’s role as a key urban connector.
The central part of the corridor, encompassing Kabul University, Ghazi High School, Deh Buri Park, Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan Teachers’ College, and the Arts College, contains 151.62 hectares of green space. According to the urban framework, these areas should be opened for public use as urban parks, with their boundary walls removed. Reviving the historic Alam Ganj Garden (between Deh Afghanan and Dehmazang) and incorporating these green spaces would transform the corridor into one of Kabul’s green corridors, aligning with the vision of a connected urban park network.
Notes on Development Plan (Proposed by Sasaki)
The success of the Kabul-Ghazi Corridor depends heavily on thoughtful integration of urban planning principles. Sasaki has proposed the following strategies for the development plan:
· Develop high-density mixed-use areas at the inter-city bus transit node to encourage sustainable urban growth and reduce traffic congestion.
· Preserve agricultural and open spaces as regional parks while supporting an urban farming cooperative, fostering ecological and community resilience.
· Protect riparian edges and establish a relocation program for affected residents to nearby developments, ensuring environmental conservation.
· Leverage the Kot-e Sangi node as a crucial intersection near academic hubs to serve as a catalyst for development, aligning with the corridor’s connectivity goals.
· Utilize the node as programmed space for Kabul University campus activities, promoting academic engagement and urban integration.
· Develop commercial frontages along the edges of Kabul University campus to finance educational initiatives and provide amenities for surrounding neighborhoods.
A Call for Transparency and Inclusivity
While the Kabul-Ghazi Corridor holds potential for improving urban mobility, its success depends on addressing several key issues:
- Transparent communication of the corridor’s design to the public.
- Balancing modern infrastructure needs with the preservation of historical and cultural significance.
- Ensuring multi-modal transport options to promote equity and sustainability.
By learning from past mistakes, such as those associated with Maiwand Road, and leveraging modern urban design principles, KM has an opportunity to redefine its approach to urban development. Whether this project will be remembered as a milestone, or a misstep will depend on how these challenges are addressed in the coming years.
