KARACHI:Pakistan requires a new urbanisation model as the economic and social benefits of urban development are being undermined by failing public services, declining quality of life, and flagging economic productivity.
This is according to a recent report by the Asian Development Bank which points out that the current urban development model perpetuates these challenges and needs to be replaced by a sustainable urbanisation model.
Mehfooz Pakistan, safety organization dedicated to inculcating safety attitudes and improving urban centres, has stressed that the urgent need for a new urbanisation model cannot be overlooked. Pakistan’s population and urbanisation challenges are increasing.
The population growth averaged 2.55% annually from 2017 to 2023. This was marked by a 3.65% annual growth in urban population; nearly double that of rural population. Urban population is expected to reach 99.4 million by 2030. The pressure on cities mired in urban infrastructure deficits and services will intensify urban challenges.
Pakistan’s urban population is concentrated in larger urban centres. By 2017, 54% of the country’s urban dwellers lived in just 21 major urban localities with populations exceeding 500,000, with 34.5% of them in Karachi and Lahore.
Both these cities have each reached megacity status and continue to grow. The population of Karachi has almost doubled over the past two decades leading to 2022, while that of Lahore rose by 138%. Yet, Karachi is ranked among the world’s least livable cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit. The demographic pressure on these two cities needs to be eased by improving the socioeconomic conditions.
Pakistan’s rapid urbanisation is occurring in an uncertain economic environment but cities play a role in fuelling economic development. In 2018, the cities generated 55% of the country’s GDP, with ten major cities accounting for 95% of the federal tax revenue. Karachi alone contributed 12%-15% of the national GDP and 55% of the federal tax revenue in 2018. Urban population growth has led to a commensurate and hazardous urban sprawl.
The mushrooming of illegal developments and informal settlements leads to substandard living conditions, disrupts city functions and degrades the urban environment. With these mounting challenges of urbanisation, the authorities need to direct greater policy, planning, and investment support to transform cities into safe, resilient, and livable spaces that provide better economic, education, and livelihood opportunities.
Housing in cities has not kept pace with rapid urban population growth. The average annual supply of 150,000 new urban housing units falls well short of the demand for 350,000 new housing units per year. This has caused a deficit of nearly 10 million housing units, leading to 57% of urban residents living in informal settlements (katchi abadis) in squalid conditions.