Urbanization and Governance of Institutions in Karachi

Abstract

The 20th and 21st centuries have witnessed rapid urbanization and have forced urban policy makers to formulate better policies for urban dwellers and settlers. Pakistan is developing country and it is also facing the wrath of urbanization since many decades but country's policy makers and institutions clearly lack vision and articulation to counter the challenges of urbanization due to which country's urban centers and particularly Karachi is crippled with urban related chaos. The city's urban population is growing at alarming pace but it lacks direction and planning to meet the varying needs of the urbanites. The arrogance from policy makers and civic institutions will worsen the situation and may lead the city to unending woes. The ever growing urbanization and diverse needs of the urban population need to be properly analyzed and catered. The city's poor infrastructure and dwindling municipal resources may simply lead towards catastrophic situation. The urban planning is the hotbed of modern policy making and it needs institutional framework for effective management of the affairs. The city's weak and ineffective institutions lack vision, dynamism, leadership and enforcement. The political intervention has further weakened the capacity of the institutions. The worsening socio economic discourse, law and order, poor living standards in rural suburbs of the country will simply lead towards massive urbanization. The urban complexities can only be met with continuous monitoring and overhauling of the urban institutions.