Urban development in Pakistan has become a blindsided idea driven by profit, not people. It is plagued by buzzwords like sustainable, cutting-edge and state-of-the-art that are slapped on every development project to attract investment. Expressions like social utility, marginalisation and injustice remain sidelined, never reaching the foreground of accountability. It’s time we unpacked what development should really mean for a city’s people.

The stark divide between rich and poor neighbourhoods in Lahore has existed for decades. A strange, almost parasitic, relationship can be observed from above as these neighbourhoods co-exist in proximity to each other. This has been given many names but “splintering urbanism” is perhaps most apt as it underscores both a fragmented cityscape and socio-spatial inequality.

Sometimes a visual barrier, like a road or a wall, prevents us from noticing or recognising these splintered communities. The poor thus remain invisible or hidden. Other times, we are complicit, turning a blind eye to urban poor settlements, even if we regularly commute through them.

There are countless examples of such places in the city — Cantonment and Saddar, DHA and Sitara Colony, Model Town and Kot Lakhpat. The comparison also hold for uniquely designed buildings and complexes: a golf club sits across the densely packed Mustafabad, an elite college is a stone’s throw away from its polar opposite, Garhi Shahu.

Lahore’s affluent neighbourhoods showcase well-maintained roads, spacious residences, parks, commercial zones and access to infrastructure. The nearby urban-poor settlements often struggle with narrow and choked roads, congested living, inadequate and limited infrastructure and are seen as informal. Why?

Historic and

economic lens

The roots of this splintered urbanism in Lahore may be traced back to colonial-era urban planning patterns by which segregated zones emerged for the convenience of the colonisers. Exclusive enclaves like the Cantonment and Civil Lines were planned really well compared to the dense, underdeveloped quarters for the natives, creating a patchwork for future disparity.

Rapid urbanisation under the guise of economic growth did the rest as uncontrolled urban sprawl exacerbated the rich-poor divide. Lahore has seen a massive influx of rural-urban migration as people continue to look for work. The absence of affordable homes leads to more informal settlements in urban centres. This suits wealthy homeowners as it provides a cheap-labour pool for services such as domestic work. The proximity allows residents of impoverished areas to access employment opportunities, albeit often in low-wage, unstable jobs.

Infrastructure

disparities and social segregation

The most tangible form of splintered urbanism in Lahore lies in infrastructure disparities. The elite neighbourhoods benefit from well-developed infrastructure, including electricity supply, clean water, gas and efficient public services. In contrast, poor areas grapple with inadequate roads, intermittent power supply and insufficient sanitation facilities. It is apparent that this uneven distribution of resources and services is a means of exclusion.

The most tangible form of splintered urbanism in Lahore lies in infrastructure disparities. The elite neighbourhoods benefit from well-developed infrastructure, including electricity, clean water, gas and efficient public services. Poor areas grapple with inadequate roads, intermittent power supply and insufficient sanitation facilities.

With access to services hand delivered to the highest bidder, social classism is manifest. Wealthier neighbourhoods boast better educational institutions, healthcare facilities and recreational spaces. Meanwhile, residents of poorer areas face literal barriers — for example, the tall walls separating Charar Pind and the DHA, restricting access to quality education and healthcare.

Towards reparative justice

Many planners, developers and architects seem fixated on the idea that more is better — more development, more buildings, more land, more segregation. Perhaps, it is time to be more mindful and acknowledge the many years of spatial injustice and unfair urbanism in the city.

The concept of repair or reparative justice emphasises the need to rectify these injustices by recognising and addressing the needs of all stakeholders in the city, especially the marginalised and ignored. A collective approach is essential to bridge the urban divide and promote inclusive development.

The next step

One of the first steps to bring together communities is to adopt participatory approaches in city planning. This could be as simple as people from all walks of life sitting together and collaborating on a blueprint for a model neighbourhood. On a slightly bigger scale, the local government could work with community groups in the planning and decision making process where solving present challenges takes precedence over proposing new development ventures.

Urban planning needs to be inclusive to ensure that development projects benefit all segments of society. This entails an equitable distribution of resources, infrastructure upgrades in poorer areas, and the creation of mixed-income neighbourhoods.

In order to achieve equitable urban growth, comprehensive policy changes need to be introduced as we still seem to operate under the bygone planning principles of colonial rule. Perhaps, revising zoning laws, earmarking funds for low-income services and ensuring that development policies take into account the interests of marginalised populations can help.

Additionally, providing affordable homes is key to reducing spatial fragmentation. Allocating space for affordable homes within serviced neighbourhoods to promote social integration is an approach that has been successful in some other countries.

In sum, Lahore’s splintered urbanism needs to be taken as a challenge, not a problem. It offers an opportunity for lasting transformative change. By recognising the stakeholders, their aspirations and embracing a collective approach to visualising, Lahore could move towards a better future. Inclusive planning, community participation and targeted investment in public services can deliver “urban development” that benefits everybody in a city.

Asim Ali Noon is an architect with an MSc in urban development planning from the Bartlett University College, London. His academic and professional focus is on social and spatial justice for equitable development. He can be contacted at asimnoon@gmail.com