Karachi: The Land Issue

Karachi is a rapidly growing city in Pakistan, with a diverse population and a highly contested land market. This book explores the history, evolution, and realities of land ownership, land-use conversions, and development, and the impact on the city's social and physical environment and low- and lower-middle-income groups.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 21 May 2023
Publisher: OUP Pakistan

Karachi, a bustling metropolis, stands as one of the world's fastest-growing cities. Serving as Pakistan's sole port and a vital contributor to its economy, it boasts a diverse population that is politically divided along ethnic lines. This intricate mix of factors has made the urban land and its surrounding areas a highly coveted commodity, attracting the attention of federal, provincial, and local land-owning agencies, corporate sector interests, formal and informal developers, international capital, and military cantonments. In their relentless pursuit of control and maximum value extraction, these stakeholders engage in a fierce battle for turf and profits, often at the expense of the city's social and physical environment and its low and lower middle-income groups.

This book delves into the historical, evolutionary, and contemporary aspects surrounding land ownership, its legal and illegal acquisition, land-use conversions and development, the key actors involved, and their complex relationships with each other and the broader public. It sheds light on the intricate dynamics that shape the city's landscape, exploring the challenges and opportunities that arise from the competing interests and the impact they have on the lives of its residents.

Through a comprehensive analysis of the legal frameworks, policy frameworks, and social dynamics, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues surrounding land ownership and its impact on urban development. It serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, urban planners, researchers, and community activists seeking to navigate the complexities of land management and promote sustainable and equitable urban growth.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190708689