Environmental Impact of Rapid

Urbanization in Pakistan
 URBANIZATION DEFINED
“Urbanization is defined as a process or
phenomenon by which urban fraction of population
increases (and consequently the rural fraction of
population decreases) in a region or country.”

Thus urbanization phenomenon is represented

by a change in the rural-urban divide of population
in an area.
Environmental Impact of Rapid Urbanization in Pakistan---
2
 Urbanization in Pakistan
Year Urban Rural
 1947 15.0% 85.0%
 1951 17.8% 82.2%
 1961 22.5% 77.5%
 1972 25.4% 74.6%
 1981 28.3% 71.7%
 1998 32.5% 67.5%
 2015 38.5% 61.5%
 Future
Estimate:
 2051 50.1% 49.9%
 RAPID URBANIZATION

1. Pakistan is a Rapidly Urbanizing Country

2. The Rate of Population Growth of
Metropolitan Cities is Higher than the
Small and Intermediate Cities

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 URBANIZATION IN SAARC COUNTRIES

Source: Population Division of the United Nations Secretariat,World Urbanization Prospects:The 2001
Revision, DataTables and Highlights.
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SOURCE: UN Population Division (2015)
 Population of Major Cities of Pakistan 1981-1998
Population Population
Sr. No. Name of City
1981 1998 2019

1.
KARACHI 5,208,132 9,339,023 11,624,219

2.
LAHORE 2,952,689 5,143,495 6,310,888

3.
FAISALABAD 1,104,209 2,008,861 2,506,595

4.
RAWALPINDI 794,834 1,409,768 1,743,101

5.
MULTAN 732,070 1,197,384 1,437,230

6.
HYDERABAD 751,529 1,166,894 1,386,330

7.
GUJRANWALA 600,993 1,132,509 1,384,471

8.
PESHAWAR 566,248 982,816 1,218,773

9.
QUETTA 285,719 565,137 733,675

10.
ISLAMABAD 204,364 529,180 601,600
 KEY ISSUES RESULTING FROM RAPID
URBANIZATION
Although Urbanization has some great advantages for economic
development of the country, the uncontrolled, rapid urbanization
has some grave consequences as given below:
 Housing Shortages resulting in formation Slums and Katchi Abadis
 Education and Health Issues in UrbanAreas
 Traffic and Transportation Issues
 Environmental Issues causing Environmental
Degradation of cities
 Security and Law & Order Deterioration

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ISSUES DUE TO RAPID URBANIZATION

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 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The environmental impacts of the rapid urbanization are:
1) Environmental Pollution, due to
uncontrolled development, industrialization and
growing traffic causing diseases of various types for
human beings, animals and the plants.
2) Rapid Consumption of Natural Resources,
(such as water, woods, fossil fuels, and fertile lands)
causing shortage of these resources for the coming
generations.
3) Global Warming and Climate Change, due to
the increased use of energy and CFCs and population
explosion causing greenhouse effect, de-freezing of
glaciers and depletion of ozone layer which may
ultimately destroy our earth planet.

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 TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL
POLLUTION
 Air Pollution: This type of pollution comprises of the presenceof
higher proportions of Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Mono-oxide,smoke,
dust and other harmful gases in the air. It is mainly caused by traffic
and industrial emissions.
 Liquid Waste Pollution: This type of pollution is createdby
effluent discharges from industries and domestic sewage and foul
water discharges which are not properly disposed off.
 Water & Soil Pollution: This type of pollution comprises of higher
quantities of liquid wastes present in the rivers, streams, lakes,
ground water as well as soil. It is mainly due to disposal of domestic
sewage, and industrial wastes into the fresh water channels and the
soak pits dug for the disposal of domestic liquid wastes/ sewage.
 SolidWastes Pollution: Solid wastes comprise of paper, tin, glass,
plastics, kitchen wastes and human and animal excreta.These are
produced by all types of urban uses as well as by the industry.
 Noise Pollution: When noise level crosses a certain limit (85dB
according to NEQS) it becomes harmful for human health. Noise
pollution is mainly caused by automobile traffic, workshops.
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 CAUSES OF URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL
DEGRADATION
1. Uncontrolled Population Growth and Urban Sprawl: The uncontrolled growth
of population is one of the main cause of environmental degradation in the urban areas.
Man is the greatest polluter on the earth. On the other hand the policies of the local
development authorities have caused urban sprawl due to low density planned
development on the outskirts of the metropolitan cities which ultimately results in the
increased use of fuel for automobiles.
2. High Density Living in the City Slums: High density living in the slums mainly
located in city centers causes concentration of pollution in small areas.The pollution
levels rise to dangerous levels in these areas and badly affect the health of the residents.
3. Industrial Development without EIA: Growth of industries without any planning
and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) causes environmental degradation.
Absence of proper Town Planning and Zoning laws results in the growth of noxious
industry close to residential areas which may cause serious health problems for the
people.
4. Improper Disposal of Liquid and Solid Wastes: Improper disposal of liquid and
solid wastes with treatment causes the degradation of the environment which
ultimately results in the spread of diseases.
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 CAUSES OF URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL
DEGRADATION Continued……
5. Tremendous Increase in the Number of Automobiles: There has
been a tremendous increase in the number of automobiles registered in
the cities during the past decade. For example, according to an estimate,
the number of vehicles registered in Lahore during the last 15 years
increased 8 times while the population of the city almost doubled during
this period.
6. Lack of Recycling andTreatment Plants:There is an acute shortage
of recycling and treatment plants in various cities of Pakistan.This results
in the disposal of liquid and solid wastes directly into fresh water
channels, thereby polluting them to a level that they become dead.
7. Lack of Open Spaces and Parks: Parks and open spaces are natural
oxygen factories which absorb pollution and produce oxygen for us.
Most of our cities are suffering from an acute shortage of parks and open
spaces.The unauthorized sub-division of land usually does not provide
any space for trees and development of Parks.

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 WHO Standards in Comparison with Air
Pollution Levels in Lahore (2010)
According to a recent study, average air pollution in big cities is
about 4 times higher than the World Health Organization
(WHO) limits.*
NAME OF SPOT Nox PM10 CO
ppb (μg/m3 ) ppm

WHO Standards 75 150 9

Yateem Khana 175 1123 3
Chowk
Chearing Cross 328 1100 5.2
Bank Square 208 1050 19
Qurtaba Chowk 105 1030 22

Source: Environmental Protection Agency, Lahore data, 2010

* http://epd.punjab.gov.pk/air_pollution
 Noise Pollution in Lahore
Noise is defined as unwanted sound. Mild noise can be
annoying; excessive noise can destroy a person’s hearing.*

Parameter Noise
Spot (db)
WHO Standard 65
Azadi Crossing 75
Qurtaba Crosssing 82
Chouburji Crossing 78
Chairing Crossing 78

Source : Space and Upper Atmospheric Research Commission (SUPARCO)

* http://epd.punjab.gov.pk/noise_pollution (Accessed on 25-11-2015)
 Availability of Infrastructure Services in
Lahore
Infrastructure Service Percentage of Percentage of
Population Population
Served 2008 Served 2011

Water Supply 70 % houses 90%

Sewerage System 54 % area 80%

Solid Waste Management 60% of total waste 85%

collected
Public Transport Buses 55% of buses 65%

Source: Office records (2008) of WASA, CDGL and Transport Department, Govt; of Punjab and ALMEC
Corporation, Oriental Consultants Co. Ltd. The Project for Lahore Urban Transport Master Plan in the Islamic Republic of
Pakistan, Interim Report Phase 1April 2011
 Water Pollution
River Ravi and the Lahore Canal is being polluted by directly disposing off untreated
domestic sewage and industrial waste into them.
Main Causes
 Disposal of untreated municipal liquid waste
 Leaking sewer lines
 Industrial waste water
Effects
 Drinking water contamination
 Pollution of Water Bodies i.e River Ravi, Hudiara drain, Lahore BranchCanal
 Sub-soil water pollution
 Loss of aquatic life
 Crop damages
 Heavy metals in food chain
 Increased rate of water borne diseases

Source: http://epd.punjab.gov.pk/water_pollution (Accessed on 25-11-2015)

Environmental Impact of Rapid Urbanization in Pakistan---
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 Soil Pollution
Soil Pollution is the presence of materials in the soil which are harmful to the
living beings when they cross their threshold concentration levels.
Main Causes
 Municipal solid waste
 Hospital waste
 Excessive use of pesticides/fertilizers/herbicides
 Ponding of industrial effluents
 Disposal of industrial solid waste on open land
Effects
 Loss in fertility
 Accumulation of pollutants in edible crops
 Leaching of harmful contaminants
 Surface and ground water contamination
 Three Pakistani cities among 10 most
polluted cities in the world
Karachi ranks number five just ahead of Peshawar and Rawalpindi which stand at six and seven
in the list of 10 most polluted cities, as per the most recent statistics from the World Health
Organisation (WHO) compiled from more than 1,600 cities for the years 2008 to 2013.
1. Delhi (India)
2. Patna (India)
3. Gwalior (India)
4. Raipur (India)
5. Karachi (Pakistan)
6. Peshawar (Pakistan)
7. Rawalpindi (Pakistan)
8. Khoramabad (Iran)
9. Ahmedabad (India)
10. Lucknow (India)

Source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/926245/three-pakistani-cities-among-most-polluted-
cities-in-the-world/ (Accessed on 25-11-2015)
Environmental Impact of Rapid Urbanization in Pakistan---
23
 RESOLVING THE PROBLEM OF
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Planning for Sustainable Development is the key to the
environmental conservation.The following steps can be taken in this
connection:
1. Master Planning:
Vision and Coherent Policy Framework A Master Plan
provides a vision and coherent policy framework in order to provide
comprehensive guidelines for future development of
a city or region. Master Planning should be done for the entire areas of
cities and regions so that compatible uses are put together and
incompatible uses are separated.Very Low densities as well as High
densities may be avoided and adequate level of light and ventilation
may be ensured through proper building and development control.The
average trip lengths to workplaces, schools and shopping areas can
be reduced through compact development, mixed zoning and
proper location of public uses resulting in the reduced consumption of
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fuels and reduced pollution levels.
 2. Traffic Management and Public Transport
Planning:
Proper traffic management and provision of a planned
public transport system (Mass Transit Systems of buses,
light rail transit, or underground railway) can result in
reduced pollution levels.
Traffic calming techniques, motor vehicle examination
and control of noise and smoke may be adopted,
particularly, in the city centers. Pedestrianization (to
convert (a street) into an area for the use of
pedestrians only, by excluding all motor vehicles)
of the Central Business Districts (CBDs) can be a useful
option to control the environmental pollution in the
central areas of the cities.
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Sustainable Public Transport takes less road space and
creates less pollution
 3. Tree Plantation and Development of
Parks:
Development of a system of parks and open spaces in the cities and
plantation of trees along roads can help to maintain the vital oxygen
balance in the urban areas. New forests should be grown at regional level
and tree plantation campaigns should be carried out in the cities. Green
medians should be developed along roads.

Small open spaces (Patric Geddies Garden type) may be created in the
busy inner city areas by purchasing low cost buildings sites through
community based organizations.

Roof gardening and Community gardening should be encouraged

in the cities.

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 Green Shade Streets

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 Landscaping with flowers and water channel

The process of making a garden or other piece of land more attractive by changing
the existing design, adding ornamental features, and planting trees and shrubs .

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 PARADISE GARDEN UAE

Environmental Impact of Rapid Urbanization in Pakistan---

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 4. Infrastructure Development:
Development of proper infrastructure services such as
water supply, sewerage and drainage system ,
electricity and gas may be carried out to reduce
pollution levels in our cities and districts as a whole.
Ground water and surface water should be used after
treatment so as to avoid spread of water born diseases.
Similarly, the development of a proper sewerage system
will reduce the pollution of ground water and improve the
overall environment. Provision of gas will result in the
reduced cutting of trees for fuel purposes. A proper solid
waste collection and disposal system is a must for all
cities.
Environmental Impact of Rapid Urbanization in Pakistan---
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Separate Sewerage and Drainage
Systems
COMMUNITY’S INVOLVEMENT IN SWM

“Integrated solid waste management is the

involvement of community in the selection and
application of suitable techniques,technologies,
and management programs to achieve specific
waste management objectives and goals.”
 5. Use of Alternate Fuels and Energy
Conservation:
The use of alternate fuels, such as kerosene oil, gas and
electricity, to the traditional ones such as wood should be
encouraged to avoid deforestation in the hilly areas.Thus
land sliding and flooding can be curtailed by reduced cutting
of trees in the mountains.The lighting fixtures on streets,
homes and offices should be replaced with LED lights.
Similarly, Energy Audit should be introduced in all
government offices and city-owned facilities. It is imperative
that the use of renewable sources of energy, such as wind
and solar energy should be encouraged in all cities.

Environmental Impact of Rapid Urbanization in Pakistan---

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 Environmental Impact of Rapid Urbanization in Pakistan---
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6. 3-R Approach For Environmental Protection From
Domestic And Industrial Waste:

We must use the following 3 R approach while using energy and other
resources for development and while treating the domestic and
industrial waste in order to protect our environment:
a)Reduce (the amount of waste)
b)Reuse (put the waste to another use)
c) Recycle (extract the raw material from waste such as glass,
tin, paper, plastic)

Environmental Impact of Rapid Urbanization in Pakistan---

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How to achieve Clean Environment
AVOIDANCE
Minimization
Reuse
Recycling

Recovery
Treatment

Disposal
 7. General:
Reduced use of CFCs and use of lead free petrol may help in the
conservation of the environment.
Population control can also be an effective tool for environmental
conservation. Walk-able neighbourhoods should be developed and the
use of private cars should be discouraged at all levels in the cities.

Walking should be encouraged for short visits to shopping centers,

schools and work places. School children may be encouraged to
participate in Street Cleaning or Seaside Cleaning Compaigns. In this
connection, an awareness campaign should also be carried out
through mass media to help in the improvement of the environment.

Environmental Impact of Rapid Urbanization in Pakistan---

44 12/14/2015
Walk-able Streets
POSTERS FOR
AWARENESS AT
SCHOOL LEVEL
POSTERS FOR COMMUNITY