rural society, society in which there is a low ratio of inhabitants to open land and in

which the most important economic activities are the production of foodstuffs, fibres,
and raw materials. Such areas are difficult to define with greater precision, for, although
in nonindustrialized nations the transition from city to countryside is usually abrupt, it
is gradual in industrialized societies, making it difficult to pinpoint the boundaries of
rural places. A second, related problem is that governments do not use the same
statistical criteria for rural and urban populations; in Japan, for instance, any cluster of
fewer than 30,000 people is considered rural, whereas in Albania a group of more than
400 inhabitants is regarded as an urban population.

In the past, rural societies were typified by their adherence to farming as a way of life.

Such cultures were not goal- or achievement-oriented; their members sought
subsistence, not surplus. Marked by a high regard for intimacy and traditional values,
farming communities were often regulated by kinship customs and ritual, and, in
particular, the ownership and care of productive land was strictly guarded by tradition.
Collectively, these characteristics are often designated by the term gemeinschaft, an
expression introduced by the German sociologist Ferdinand Tönnies. Tönnies described
the contrasting nature of urban life with the term gesellschaft, a state characterized by
impersonal bureaucracy, rationalized specialization, and mechanization. Gesellschaft is
typically associated with modern industry, where people are employees who perform
specific, goal-oriented functions in a rational and efficient, as opposed to a traditional
and organic, manner. The two terms are sometimes translated as “community” and
“society.” Rural inhabitants work with people they know well and are accustomed to
relationships of great intimacy and small scale, whereas urban dwellers know each other
in narrow, segmented ways that have little to do with family or friendship. According to
Tönnies and subsequent sociologists, all societies are characterized by mixtures of
gemeinschaft and gesellschaft; the United States, where even agriculture is almost
completely mechanized, is closer to the gesellschaft end of the spectrum, whereas rural
India, which is still heavily guided by tradition, is an example of gemeinschaft.

More From Britannica

United States: Rural settlement

Historically, farming societies have had higher birthrates than urban societies; their
populations have also tended to be younger, to live in larger families, and to include
slightly greater percentages of males. These phenomena were related: it was to a
farmer’s advantage to have many offspring, especially males, who could work in the
fields as children and then would support their parents as they grew older. Generally,
however, as the children became older, there was not enough productive land for all of
them to support their own families, and some would migrate to the cities. In this way,
cities have historically absorbed the excess population of the countryside, thus tending
to become filled with comparatively older people living in smaller families. With the
advent of improved health care in this century, infant mortality rates fell, and the
increased number of surviving offspring has swelled the number of migrants to the
cities.

In the industrialized nations the countryside has sometimes been virtually depopulated,
to the point that, for example, in 1970 only 6.7 percent of the employed persons in the
United States were in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. The result has
been a global acceleration of the process of urbanization, which has in turn created vast
slums in many urban centres. To halt or reverse this process, agricultural-development
specialists have suggested methods of increasing productivity without moving large
numbers of farmworkers off the land. Among their recommendations are improvements
in soil technology and changes in irrigation, seed stocks, and drainage;
they counsel against further large-scale mechanization. The habit of the developed
nations to apply their own practices of agriculture to situations where they might not be
ultimately beneficial has been yielding to the belief that appropriate technologies must
be developed for each area.

Characteristics of Rural Settlements
Posted on September 16, 2019 by Rashid Faridi
Traditionally, rural settlements were associated with agriculture. In modern times
other types of rural communities have been developed.
In rural settlement the most basic sitting factors can be seen clearly at work. This is
because permanent villages, like the semi-permanent settlements of shifting cultivators
or nomads, or the temporary camps of hunters and gatherers, from which they evolved,
have the same basic requirements of food, water, shelter and protection.
As human has developed more and more sophisticated techniques of obtaining a living,
he was able to depend more and more on a single place to provide his livelihood, but the
basic requirements must be present. if these needs are provided, other factors such as
planning can come into play and affect the siting of settlement.
In most countries the pattern of rural settlement that we see today is the result of a
series of adjustments to the environment which have been going on for centuries. In
some countries, however, either as part of a land reform scheme or because the pressure
of population in the existing settled areas is becoming too great, new villages and rural
settlements are being established today.

The settlement where the occupation of the majority of people relate to the local natural
resources is called rural settlement for example,

(1) settlement of fisheries along sea coast,

(2) settlement of tribal people in the forest area and

(3) settlement of farmers along the banks of rivers.

There are some salient characteristics of rural settlements.

Rural area is sparsely populated because many people leaves rural areas and settles in
the urban areas for more facilities.These society has homogeneity. in its profession that
is their only source of earning is agriculture and this is transmitted from generation to
generation.There is homogeneity in dress, language and customs. It means all these
remain same because their culture is same they belong to the same area.These areas
have got slow means of communication.Rural areas have very slow rate of change
because of lack of education and modern technology.These settlements have got simple
culture transmitted from generation to generation.Rural areas have got informal social
life that is they spent their life in a. simple way.Rural communities have got strong
relationships and interactions of the people. It means that they help each other in
distress and shares the happiness.In such areas there is less rate of pollution because
there are no factories and mills and the number of automobiles is less.In such areas
people shows great hospitality to their guests and treat them as a member of a family.

Size of the Community:

The village communities are smaller in area than the urban communities. As the village
communities are small, the population is also low.

Density of Population:
As the density of population is low, the people have intimate relationships and face-to-
face contacts with each other. In a village, everyone knows everyone.

The primacy of Agriculture:

Agriculture is the fundamental occupation of the rural people and forms the basis of the
rural economy. A farmer has to perform various agricultural activities for which he
needs the cooperation of other members. Usually, these members are from his family.
Thus, the members of the entire family share agricultural activities. That is the reason
why Lowry Nelson has mentioned that farming is a family enterprise.
Close Contact with Nature
The rural people are in close contact with nature as most of their daily activities revolve
around the natural environment. This is the reason why a ruralite is more influenced by
nature than an urbanite. The villagers consider land as their real mother as they depend
on it for their food, clothing, and shelter.

Homogeneity of Population:
The village communities are homogenous in nature. Most of their inhabitants are
connected with agriculture and its allied occupations, though there are people belonging
to different castes, religions, and classes.
Social Stratification:
In rural society, social stratification is a traditional characteristic, based on caste. The
rural society is divided into various strata on the basis of caste.

 Social Interaction:
The frequency of social interaction in rural areas is comparatively lower than in urban
areas. However, the interaction level possesses more stability and continuity. The
relationships and interactions in the primary groups are intimate. The family fulfills the
needs of the members and exercises control over them.
It is the family, which introduces the members to the customs, traditions and culture of
the society. Due to limited contacts, they do not develop individuality and their
viewpoint towards the outside world is very narrow, which makes them oppose any kind
of violent change.In Rural society there are more formal groups than urban society.

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Urbanism and Ruralism are social realities.

 Social Mobility:
In rural areas, mobility is rigid as all the occupations are based on caste. Shifting from
one occupation to another is difficult as caste is determined by birth. Thus, caste
hierarchy determines the social status of the rural people.

 Social Solidarity:
The degree of social solidarity is greater in villages as compared to urban areas.
Common experience, purposes, customs, and traditions form the basis of unity in the
villages. The point is debatable as there is much politics going on in villages.

 Joint Family System :

Another characteristic feature of rural society is the joint family system. The family
controls the behaviour of the individuals. Generally, the father is the head of the family
and is also responsible for maintaining the discipline among members. He manages the
affairs of the family.

Rural Society and Life Meaning and

Characteristics
Rural Society Meaning
Rural society which is sparsely populated with emphasis on agricultural professions. Simple culture
with natural environment and informal social life are the conditions rural life. Homogeneity in
professions, dress, language and customs of social life is usually found in such people. The rate of
change is slow due to slow means of communication. Agriculture is their profession.
Characteristics of Rural Society
Following are the characteristics of rural areas.

1. Rural settlement: they have open settlements. Pattern of houses are scattered and having
open houses covering vast area for courtyard.
2. Mud constructed houses: most of the houses in these kinds of societies are mud constructed.
Although use of bricks and stone is increasing in the societies.
3. Agriculture: most of the people of these societies are associated with agriculture profession.
Some of them are also involve in labor related to agriculture.
4. Informal social norms: informal social norms are more important and practiced than the
formal norms.
5. Informal social groups: informality among different groups is found. In the evening, people are
used to sit at common place called ‘dei-a’ sharing daily activities and talking issues of the
common interests.
6. Informal social interaction: Interaction is more frequent, deep, face-to-face and informal
among the members of society.
7. Informal social control: Modes of social control in rural life and society is informal and more
effective than the formal one. Panchayat  system is very much effective and use for the
solution of their day to day problem.
8. Low literacy rate: Literacy rate in this kind of societies is generally low and females are
discouraged to go for formal education.
9. Less social change: These types of societies are relatively static. Very slow and selective
modes of social change takes place.
10. Attachment with religion: people of rural areas are emotionally attached with religious beliefs.
Knowledge of the people in this society about religion is generally poor and they are the
follower of imam masjid or religious scholars in their social life.
11. Poor urban facilities: urban facilities like hospital, schools, colleges, universities, paved roads,
electricity, gas, telephone, internet, cable, recreational parks, big shopping malls etc. are
lacking behind in this society.

rural depiction in pakistan

Traditionally, in Pakistan the impression of ‘rural’ is often associated with the agriculture activities in
the traditional village background (Hasan, 2010). The Government census criteria also correspond to
the same notion where the agriculture activity is one of the main bases of rurality demarcation (Batool
and Jamil, 2019) but the statistics related to economic activities shows that this criteria for
classification used in the census for rural is erroneous as agriculture now only contributes to one-fifth
to Pakistan’s GDP making the agriculture as a criterion insignificant (Nadeem et al., 2011).

11The non-agriculture activities now constates a large share of employment in much of the so- called
rural areas (Nasir et al., 2021). Activities classified as ‘non-farm’ or ‘non-agricultural’ incomes, mainly
services, constitute at least 60% of total rural incomes, taking in consideration the definition used for
rural areas according to the (GoP, 2017) report. In other words, there is comparatively less
agricultural activity taking place in rural areas as the economy is shifting to more services sector.

12Moreover, services which were considered ‘urban’ few decades ago, such as electricity, education,
access to television, communication and transport are now also very visible in so- called rural areas.
The fact that one million mobile phones are added on each month in Pakistan (Kazi and Mannan,
2013) with nearly 75% of Pakistanis having mobile phones (Asmat and Ullah, 2015) shows that even
in remote and rural areas, such technology and means of communication are easily available. Whether
urban or rural, Pakistan is heavily integrated and one can’t better understand a territory without
taking the other in the consideration.

13The position and designation of rural/urban area and the difference between them in Pakistan is
largely based on the fact how it is defined which in many instances are inconsistent and incomplete
(Haider, 2006). The perspective to gaze at the recognizing and understanding of rural/urban division
should begin as a gradient rather than dichotomy without having a clear natural dividing line and
where the life changes in a variety of dimensions along the urban-rural route: from fields and
intensive cultivation, villages, small market towns to larger towns, small, and the large cosmopolitan
cities (Ali, 2013). These dichotomies in some cases act like ‘ribbons of development ‘between different
towns, cities, along highways and in some instances populations that have adopted a ‘semi-urban’ way
of life as they didn’t relocate physically to the urban areas which reflects a hybrid feature of
fragmented rural/urban characteristics (Arif, 2013). Such dichotomies like rural and urban should be
critically reassessed to be further understand by researchers and planner alike (Hasan and Raza,
2009).

Rural population (% of total population) in Pakistan was reported at 62.27 % in 2022,

according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from
officially recognized sources. Pakistan - Rural population - actual values, historical data,
forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on August of 2023.

What  Urban Community? Explained.- 'Urban' communities need to be looked at in

terms of their variety and heterogeneity. Cities also have to be thought of in a different
way by different people. They mean different things to them. Stakeholders have
different ideas about how the city should be built, and these ideas have to be figured out
in order for community-based community development to happen. There is always
tension and conflict when people have different ideas about how things should be done.
The way people talk about community development depends on which point of view is
most popular.

For us to understand urban communities, we look at sociology, economics, and public

administration to learn more about them. In terms of interventions, we use ideas from
social work methods. One that is used the most is the community organization method
and group work. Communities can be vulnerable, or they can be looked at from a
strength's point of view. For social workers, the social justice perspective helps them
look at urban communities, whether they are slums, elite class, or communities that
have been moved.
 What is Urban Community Explained?

'Urban' means being in or near a city. It is a way to show what life is like in a city or
town. It comes from the Latin word Urbnus. Urbnus means city, and the root urb means
city.

Urban is a word that refers to a city or a small town. It's important to look at things like
demographics and the environment to figure out what kind of place it is. You can tell
whether something is a village or town or a city by how many people live there and how
complicated their organization is. Urban areas have a lot of people, a lot of non-
agricultural activities, and a lot of good things for people to do, like better health and
education infrastructure. However, there is a huge difference in how these things are
distributed and how easy it is for people to get them in cities.

Understanding Urban Community 

 It is urban if: 1) the places that meet the following requirements are urban; 2) the cities and
towns that meet the following criteria are urban. a) Population not less than 5,000, b) Density of
Population 1,000 people per square mile 9400 people per square km, c) 75% of workers are not
in agriculture.
 Census 2001 makes a difference between statutory towns and census towns:
 Every place with a town hall, city councilor another type of government that has been approved
by the state is a "statutory town." These are places that have been approved by state law.
 Census towns, on the other hand, are places with a population of at least 5,000, at least 75% of
the male working population working in non-agricultural jobs, and at least 400 people per square
kilometer. People use the term "urban agglomeration" to talk about how cities spread across the
country and how they grow. 

It refers to a town and its adjoining urban outgrowths, or two or more towns that are physically
close together and any urban outgrowths that are close to them, like a city or town. Railway
colonies, university campuses, port areas, military camps, and so on are all examples of
outgrowth. These areas may be close to a statutory town or city but inside the revenue limits of
a village or villages that are near the town or city. If an urban agglomeration has more than
20,000 people, then the core town or at least one of the other constituent towns must be a legal
town. With these basic rules, urban agglomerations could be formed in the following way. One
or more contiguous outgrowths of a city or town, two or more nearby towns with or without
outgrowths, and a city and one or more nearby towns with their outgrowths all make up a single
spread. People from urban areas live in cities. There is a lot of diversity and complexity in these
communities. The people who live in cities are from many different groups.

1. Size:
As a rule, in the same country and at the same period, the size of an
urban community is much larger than that of a rural community. In
other words, urbanity and size of a community are positively
correlated.
 Image Courtesy : upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Ginza_area_at_Tower.jpg

2. Density of population:
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Density of population in urban areas is greater than in rural

communities. Urbanity and density are positively correlated.

3. Family:
So far as urban community is concerned, greater importance is
attached to the individual than to the family. Nuclear families are
more popular in urban areas.

4. Marriage:
ADVERTISEMENTS:

In case of urban community there is a preponderance of love

marriages and inter-caste marriages. One also comes across a greater
number of divorces. Sons and daughters enjoy considerable freedom
in choosing their life partners.

5. Occupation:
In the urban areas, the major occupations are industrial,
administrative and professional in nature. Divisions of labour and
occupational specialization are very much common in
towns/cities/metropolises.

6. Class extremes:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
In the words of Bogardus, “Class extremes characterize the city.” A
town and a city house the richest as well as the poorest of people. In a
city, the slums of the poor exist alongside the palatial bungalows of the
rich, amidst the apartments of the middle class members. The most
civilized modes of behaviour as well as the worst racketeering are
found in the cities.

7. Social heterogeneity:
If villages are the symbol of cultural homogeneity, the cities symbolize
cultural heterogeneity. The cities are characterized by diverse peoples,
races and cultures. There is great variety in regard to the food habits,
dress habits, living conditions, religious beliefs, cultural outlook,
customs and traditions of the urbanites.

8. Social distance:
ADVERTISEMENTS:

Social distance is the result of anonymity and heterogeneity. Most of

one’s routine social contacts in a town or city are impersonal and
segmentary in character. In the urban community social responses are
incomplete and halfhearted. There is utter lack of personal
involvement in the affairs of others.

9. System of interaction:
Georg Simmel held that the social structure of urban communities is
based on interest groups. The circles of social contact are wider in the
city than in the country. There is a wider area of interaction system per
man and per aggregate. This makes city life more complex and varied.
The city life is characterized by the predominance of secondary
contacts, impersonal, casual and short-lived relations. Man, at any
rate, the man in the street, virtually loses his identity being treated as a
“number” having a certain “address”.

10. Mobility:
ADVERTISEMENTS:

The most important feature of urban community is its social mobility.

In urban areas the social status of an individual is determined not by
heredity or birth but by his merit, intelligence and perseverance.
Urbanity and mobility are positively correlated.

11. Materialism:
In the urban community the social existence of man revolves round
wealth and material possessions. The worth of an urbanite today is
being judged not by what he is but by what he has. Status symbols in
the form of financial assets, salaries, costly home appliances count a
lot for the urbanites.

12. Individualism:
ADVERTISEMENTS:

The urbanites attach supreme importance to their own welfare and

happiness. They hesitate to think or act for the good of others.

13. Rationality:
In urban community there is emphasis on rationality. People are
inclined to reason and argue. Their relationship with others is
governed, for the most part, by the consideration of gain or loss.
Relationship takes place on a contractual basis. Once the contract is
over, human relationship automatically comes to a close.

14. Anonymity:
As Bogardus observes, the “Urban groups have a reputation for
namelessness.” By virtue of its size and population, the urban
community cannot be a primary group. Here nobody knows anybody
and nobody cares for anybody. The urbanites do not care for their
neighbours and have nothing to do with their miseries or pleasures.

15. Norm and social role conflict:

ADVERTISEMENTS:

The urban community is characterized by norm and social role

conflict. Factors such as the size, density and heterogeneity of the
population, extreme occupational specialisation and the class
structure prevalent in the urban context lead to such a state of affairs.

In the absence of uniform and fixed social norms, individuals or

groups often seek divergent ends. This has a considerable share in
causing social disorganization.

16. Rapid social and cultural change:

Rapid social and cultural change characterize urban life. The
importance attached to traditional or sacred elements has been
relegated to the background. The benefits of urban life have effected
changes in respect of norms, ideologies and behaviour patterns.
17. Voluntary associations:
The urban community is characterized by impersonal, mechanical and
formal social contacts occurring among the people. Naturally they
have a strong desire for developing genuine social relationships to
satisfy their hunger for emotional warmth and sense of security. They
form associations, clubs, societies and other secondary groups.

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18. Formal social control:

Social control in urban community is essentially formal in nature.
Individual’s behaviour is regulated by such agencies as police, jails,
law courts etc.

19. Secularization of outlook:

In cities ritual and kinship obligations are diluted. Caste and
community considerations yield to economic logic. This results in
secularization of outlook.

20. Urban areas provide impulses for modernization in society as a

whole.

The main differences between our estimate and the Government census are mainly in the case of rural
estimate since the methodology for ‘rural area’ estimates are derived from defined criteria for the
‘rural’ which includes the census urban core (town of 50,000 population) and proximity to city (within
travel time of 75 minute to a city of 100,000), while the Government census criteria incorporate the
assumption that a very all the population outside the city boundaries are considered to be “rural” and
to introduce the concept of an ‘urbanizing’ for the areas that does not fall in either rural or urban
category i.e., they have both an urban core and an overall density higher than the criteria that I used
to classify the rural while clearly these are not rural but also they have not achieved the basic criteria
to be called as urbanized, hence the term ‘urbanizing’ is used here.

25The introduction of ‘urbanizing area’ brings into play the various elements of criteria that are
selected in the methodology i.e.,
26a) In the provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, due to higher population densities, the
presence of population classified as rural by the census falls in the category of urbanizing area I
selected i.e., the census classifies all areas outside city boundary as rural - the ‘residual’ approach.

27b) In the province of Sindh, only the metropolitan city of Karachi and Hyderabad are considered as
urban areas corresponding to the official census while certain areas classified as urban by the official
census do not meet the criteria for an urban area but qualify as urbanizing areas in my criteria.

28c) The provincial capital Quetta in the Balochistan province is the only city of the province, that can
be considered as an ‘urbanizing area’ due to lower overall population density. There is a significant
part of the population living in areas that are no longer rural but at different stages of urbanization.

29While doing comparison, it should be noted that the Government census contains only two
categories that defines urban, while rural is treated with encompassing all the ‘residual’ non- urban
areas. In the methodology I tried to classify all the areas in one of the three categories with each
having a well-defined criterion. By applying the criteria, it was revealed that the ‘urban area’ estimates
in the case of provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are higher than the census urban
population by 27% and 3% respectively. The resultant higher estimates are partly due to the use of
administrative boundaries of the city by the census resulting in the exclusion of suburban development
that forms an integral part of the city is excluded from consideration in the census but gets included in
our estimates.

Pakistan has the highest rate of urbanisation in South Asia.

According to the 2017 Population Census, 36.4% of the
population lives in urban areas. The UN Population Division
estimates that, by 2025, nearly half the country’s population will
be living in cities. Urbanisation is generally considered to be
closely related to economic growth, particularly in developed
countries where they have often occurred in tandem. Globally, it
is estimated that cities generate more than 80% of the global
GDP. The more urbanised areas indicate higher per capita
income and more employment opportunities. Urbanisation has
positive impacts on technological innovation and economic
progress.

Cumulatively, cities in Pakistan generate 55% of the GDP. Moreover,

Pakistan generates 95% of its federal tax revenue from 10 major
cities. Karachi alone generates 12-15% of Pakistan’s GDP and
contributes 55% of the federal tax revenue of the country. Seven out
of 10 major cities in Pakistan have larger per capita incomes than the
average. Poverty in cities is generally lower (i.e. urban multi-
dimensional poverty is one-sixth of that of rural areas).

Rural urban convergence :”

Though the communities are normally divided into ‘rural’ and ‘urban’ the line of
demarcation is not always clear as MacIver has remarked, between these two types of
communities “there is no sharp demarcation to tell where the city ends and country
beings”.

Every village possesses some elements of the city and every city carries some features
of the village. The concept of ‘rural-urban convergence’ refers to the striking similarities
between the village and the town in some aspects of community life.

Cities are growing in number and size everywhere. It is true that urban culture is
diffusing at a very fast rate in the rural areas. As Kingsley Davis has said “the city
effects are wider than the city itself”. The influence of the city varies with its size also.
The urban way of life can be carried far beyond the city boundaries and can thus
characterise people who do not actually live in cities.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

With the diffusion of urban culture to the rural areas, the extreme differences between
rural and urban cultures have diminished. The growing transport and communications,
the radio, press, television, telephone, etc., the growing circulation of the urban
newspapers in the rural areas have changed the attitudes and outlook of the ruralites.

Medical, educational, commercial, recreational and other facilities are also being
enjoyed by the rural people. The automobile has played an important role in the rural
areas. It has ended the secluded life of the rural people.

People prefer to stay near the highways now. Villages in a way are closely linked with
the cities. Buses, trains, taxies and motor cycles, etc., have helped the city people to go
out and stay in the fringes of the city.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Everywhere big cities are characterised by sub-centres or sub-urban areas. In structure

and function they are like cities. Too much of concentration in the city contributes to an
opposite process of decentralisation. The sub-centres or sub-urban areas resemble the
city in several respects. A single city may have a number of small sub-urban areas.
These sub-urban areas may retain in them some of the features of the city. They are
like satellite cities built around a major city. Sub-urban areas represent the rough
amalgam of rural and urban ways of living. Here, we may find the urban way of life
being mixed with the rural way of life. In these areas we find the ‘rural-urban
convergence’.

The Rural-Urban Continuum:

Some sociologists have used the concept of rural-urban continuum to stress the idea
that there are no sharp breaking points to be found in the degree or quantity of rural
urban differences.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

The impact of urban life over rural life is evident in many ways. With regard to birthrate,
age at marriage, infant mortality, church affiliations, divorce, suicide, etc., rural indices
are moving to nearer urban indices. In this way, rural areas can become highly
urbanised.

As the contacts of the city become closer as transportation and communication become
more rapid, the rural community tends to assume more closely the urban social
structure. We may even speak of different degrees of “urbanness” or “ruralness”. One
country can be demographically more urban and yet socially more rural than another.
Example: Chile has a greater percentage of its population living in cities than does
Canada, but its people, by almost all sets of indices, are less urban.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN CONVERGENCE!
Much of the foregoing discussion (historic rural-urban distinction) has
become outdated. Today
urban and rural differences (dichotomy) of all sorts are rapidly shrinking
everywhere in the
world, though the speed of this change differs from place to place.
The rural-urban distinction has already become less important than
occupational distinction.
Recent studies show that occupation has become more important than
rural or urban residence
as a clue to one’s personality and way of life. Increasing urban world is
beset by problems of
community integration and organisation and community planning has
become a growing
concern in our urban society.
It should also be assumed that urbanisation necessarily brings in its train
the situation of anomie
(a sense of normlessness or lack of moral guidance to behaviour), dis-
organised and lack of
primary group relationships as observed by earlier writers (Tonnies,
Durkheim, Simmel) of
urbanism. Some recent studies have found that with the increase in
urbanism, primary group
relationships within kinship and friendship group increases.
When rural people migrate to the city, they rely heavily upon kinship and
caste people and
other relatives (as we see in India) even if they are distant relatives for
social interaction,
intimate response, identity and a sense of belonging. The rise of the
proportion of secondary
contacts with urbanism implies no absolute weakening of primary group
life.
Today, with the spread of urban patterns into rural areas, rural life is
becoming urbanised. This
development is somewhat uneven. Rural areas closer to larger cities show
the highest degree
of urbani-sation. More isolated areas and where farming practices are more
traditional show
fewer urban influence. But, ever3where, the steady urbanisation of rural
society is evident. Not
all, but many of rural non-farm people are urban commuters who become a
powerful urbanising
influence upon rural life.
A new development that has undermined any simplistic rural- urban
contrast is the growth of
‘commuter villages’. In Urbs in Rare (The City in the Countryside), R.E.
Pahl draws our
attention to the commuter invasion of rural areas. Some villages are almost
wholly in-habitated

SOCIOLOGY/CSS

ZAHOOR ELAHI (CSP/CTG) 03004578032

pg. 21

by people who work elsewhere. This phenomenon we can easily see in

villages situated near
Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata etc.
RURAL AND URBAN CONVERGENCE
Every village possesses some elements of the city and every city carries
some features of the
village. The concept of ‘rural-urban convergence’ refers to the striking
similarities between the
village and the town in some aspects of community life.
Cities are growing in number and size everywhere. It is true that urban
culture is diffusing at a
very fast rate in the rural areas. As Kingsley Davis has said “the city effects
are wider than the
city itself”. The influence of the city varies with its size also. The urban way
of life can be
carried far beyond the city boundaries and can thus characterise people
who do not actually
live in cities.

With the diffusion of urban culture to the rural areas, the extreme
differences between rural
and urban cultures have diminished. The growing transport and
communications, the radio,
press, televi-sion, telephone, etc., the growing circulation of the urban
newspapers in the rural
areas have changed the attitudes and outlook of the ruralites.
Medical, educational, commercial, recreational and other facilities are also
being enjoyed by
the rural people. The automobile has played an important role in the rural
areas. It has ended
the secluded life of the rural people.
People prefer to stay near the highways now. Villages in a way are closely
linked with the
cities. Buses, trains, taxies and motor cycles, etc., have helped the city
people to go out and
stay in the fringes of the city.
Everywhere big cities are characterised by sub-centres or sub-urban areas.
In structure and
function they are like cities. Too much of concentration in the city
contributes to an opposite
process of decentralisation. The sub-centres or sub-urban areas resemble
the city in several
respects. A single city may have a number of small sub-urban areas.
These sub-urban areas may retain in them some of the features of the city.
They are like satellite
cities built around a major city. Sub-urban areas represent the rough
amalgam of rural and
urban ways of living. Here, we may find the urban way of life being mixed
with the rural way
of life. In these areas we find the ‘rural-urban convergence’.
The Rural-Urban Continuum:
Some sociologists have used the concept of rural-urban continuum to stress
the idea that there
are no sharp breaking points to be found in the degree or quantity of rural
urban differences.
The impact of urban life over rural life is evident in many ways. With regard
to birthrate, age
at marriage, infant mortality, church affiliations, divorce, suicide, etc., rural
indices are moving
to nearer urban indices. In this way, rural areas can become highly
urbanised.
As the contacts of the city become closer as transportation and
communication become more
rapid, the rural community tends to assume more closely the urban social
structure. We may
even speak of different degrees of “urbanness” or “ruralness”. One country
can be
demographically more urban and yet socially more rural than another.
Example: Chile has
greater percentage of its popu-lation living in cities than does Canada, but
its people, by almost
all sets of indices, are less urban.
Illiteracy: when compared to
urbaan population illiteracy
continues to be rampant in rural
areas. High illiteracy rates
among children as well as
adults continue even to this day
due to
inadequate budgetary provisions
for rural education.the quality
of education in rural areas is a
matter of grave concern despite
various programmes and
provisions.
Tradition conservatism and
superstition: rural india till date
is called convservative society
since it holds on to traditional
mindsets and beliefs.there is
usually a reliuctance to change
wy
of life and outlook due to habit
and fear of the unknown.
Caste influence: the traditional
right, authorities, sanction based
on caste hierarchy may not
be apparent today. However ,it
is so deeply entrenched in
people’s minds that t permeates
social interactions.
Nevertheless, in the ordinary
transactions of daily life ,
village people tend
to cooperate each other.
Farmers suicide:the
phenomenon of suicide by
farmers worrisome for india
because the
majority of the workforce is
dependant on the agriculture for
its livelihood. A large
percentage of farmers who took
their own lives were financially
indebted
Lower status of women: A
subordinate status is given to
women.Patriarchal values and
practices pervade all aspects of
social life. This in turn feeds
discriminatory practices and
gender stereotyping.
Family disputes: The conflict
over land holdings is a common
issue.due to this,many joint
families have broken and land
has become divided to such an
extent that it is hardly
cultivable.Farmers suffer due
such and their children are then
not motivated to continue
farming on disputed land
Urbanism: Meaning
Urbanism is the study of how population of urban areas, such as towns and
cities, interact with the built environment. It is a main component of
specialties, for example, urban planning, is the practice focusing on the
physical design and management of urban structures and urban sociology,
which is the academic field of study.

Many architects, planners and sociologists explore how people live in densely
populated urban areas. There is a wide range of theories and different
approaches to the study of urbanization. However, in some international
contexts, urban areas are synonymous with urban planning, and “urban”
refers to urban planning.

The urbanization of the early 20th century was associated with a rise in
central industrialization, mixed-use neighborhoods, social organizations and
networks, and what was described as the “convergence of political, social and
economic citizenship.

Urbanization can be understood as the authoring process, the establishment

of the city-level identity, but as early as 1938, Lewis Wirth wrote that it is
necessary to stop “determining the urbanization of the physical entity of the
city,” bypassing the “arbitrary line” and consider how technological
developments in the area of transportation and communications has greatly
expanded the urban lifestyle beyond the city limits itself.
Principles of urbanism
 Walkability

– Most things are within a 10-minute walk from home and work.

– Pedestrian (streets; parking lots; street parking; hidden parking; garage in

the back corridor; narrow, slow streets) are designed in a friendly way.

– Pedestrian streets free of cars in special cases.

 Connectivity

– The network of interconnected street network disperses traffic and

facilitates walking.

– A hierarchy of narrow streets, boulevards and alleys.

– A high quality pedestrian and public network makes walking enjoyable.

 Mixed-Use & Diversity

– A mix of shops, offices, apartments and homes on site. Mixed use within

neighborhoods, indoor and outdoor.

– Variation of people – of ages, income levels, cultures, and races.

 Mixed Housing

An extent of types, sizes and prices in closer proximity.

  Quality Architecture & Urban Design

Emphasis on beauty, human comfort and the creation of a sense of place; a

special situation for civil uses and sites within the community. Architecture
within the human range and beautiful surroundings nourish the human soul.

 Traditional Neighborhood Structure

– Clear center and edge.

– Public space at center.

– The importance of the quality of the public domain. Open public space
designed as a civil art.

-Contains a range of uses and densities within 10-minute walk

– Transit planning: the highest intensity in the city center; gradually less
intensity towards the edge. This system is an analytical system that depicts
elements that promote each other, creating a series of specific natural
habitats and / or urban lifestyle settings. Transect integrates an
environmental methodology for habitat assessment with a zoning
methodology for community design. Professional boundaries disappear
between natural and man-made, enabling ecologists to evaluate

Design of human and urban habitat to support the viability of nature. This
cross-hierarchy to rural areas contains different types of buildings and
streets suitable for each area along the chain.

 Increased Density

– More buildings, residences, shops and services are close to each other to
facilitate walking, to enable more efficient use of services and resources, and
to create a more comfortable and enjoyable place to live.
– The new urban design principles are applied in a full range of density from
small cities to large cities.

 Green Transportation

– A network of high quality trains connecting cities, towns, and

neighborhoods together.

– The pedestrian design encourages greater use of bicycles, skis, scooters,

and walking as a daily means of transportation.

 Sustainability

– Minimum environmental impact of development and its processes.

– Environmentally friendly technologies, respect for ecology and the value of

natural systems.

– Energy efficiency.

– Less use of non-renewable fuels.

– More local production.

– More walking, less driving.

 Quality of Life

These combined add up to a high quality of life worthy of living, creating

places that enrich, elevate, and inspire the human soul.

Benefits of urbanism
 Benefits to residents
 High quality of life.
  Better places to live, work and play.
 Higher and more stable property values.
 Reduce traffic congestion and lack of driving.
 A healthier lifestyle with more walking, less stress.
 Close to the retail street and the main services.
 Close to cycling trails, parks and nature.
 Pedestrian communities offer more opportunities to get to know
others in the neighborhood and the city, leading to meaningful
relationships with a larger number of people, and a friendly town.
 More freedom and independence for children, the elderly and the poor
in the ability to access jobs, entertainment and services without the
need for a car or someone to lead.
 Large savings for residents and school boards in reducing
transportation costs from children who can walk or bicycling to
neighborhood schools.
 More diversity, smaller shops and unique services with local owners
involved in the community.
 Significant savings by driving less and owning fewer cars.
 Less ugly, crowded congestion to deal with every day; better sense of
place and identity of the community in a more unique structure.
 More open space to enjoy; more efficient use of tax funds with less
spending on the deployment of facilities and roads.

 Benefits to businesses
 Increased sales due to increased traffic and people spending less on
cars and gas.
 Earn more revenue because you spend less on ads and big tags.
 A better lifestyle by living above a store in live work units – provides a
stressful and costly transition.
 Economies of scale in marketing because of their closeness and
cooperation with other local companies.
 Small spaces encourage the incubation of small local businesses.
 Lower rentals due to smaller spaces and small car parking. Lifestyle is
healthier because of more walking and proximity to healthy
restaurants.
  More community participation than being part of the community and
knowing the population.

 Benefits to developers
 More potential income from high-density mixed-use projects because
of more rentable square footage, more sales per square foot, higher
real estate values and sales prices.
 Approvals are faster in societies that have adopted smart growth
principles resulting in cost / timesaving.
 Cost savings in parking facilities in multi-use properties due to shared
spaces throughout the day and night, resulting in reduced duplication
in the provision of parking.
 Less need for parking facilities due to mix of residences and
commercial uses within walking distance of each other.
 Less impact on roads / traffic, which may result in lower impact fees;
lower utility costs due to the compact nature of the new urban design.
 Selling faster because of increased consumer acceptance of a broader
product group that resulted in a larger market share.

 Benefits to municipalities
 Stable, in aspect of a tax base.
 Less spending on the individual in the infrastructure and facilities than
typical in the suburbs because of the nature of high-density small
enterprises.
 Increased tax base due to increased buildings in a narrow area;
reduced traffic congestion due to design ability.
 Less resistance than society.
 A better public image of society and sense of place.
 Less incentive to extend when the central urban area is desirable.
 Easy to install jumper in place where it is not, and improve it in place.
 Increasing the civic participation of the population leads to improved
governance.
Pakistan is among  the most urbanized countries of South Asia. As challenges
mount, urban planning is gradually finding space in the policy discourse. This is
the first of three blog posts on Pakistan’s rapid urbanization. It discusses the
pace of urbanization and the major problems associated with it. This will be
followed by posts on how the government is responding to the challenges and
how and whether the research community is engaged in seeking solutions.

With an urban population growing three percent per year, Pakistanis are
flocking to cities faster than any other country in South Asia. By 2030, more
than half of Pakistan’s projected 250 million citizens are expected to live in
cities.
The main drivers of Pakistan’s urban growth are high birth rates and migration
from rural areas. Migrants are attracted to cities for better jobs and improved
access to basic services.
However, urbanization has inflated Pakistan’s biggest cities so rapidly that
they struggle to deliver public services and create productive jobs. Urban
poverty is on the rise, with one in eight urban dwellers living below the poverty
line.
As a result, Pakistan’s cities contribute much less to the economy compared
to other developing countries. Pakistani cities – inhabited by 38 percent of the
population – make up around 55 percent of total GDP. India’s urban
population is 30 percent, with 58 percent of its GDP coming from cities. In
Indonesia, urban population and urban share of GDP are 44 percent and 60
percent[1], respectively.
According to the World Bank, Pakistan’s urbanization is also ‘messy and
hidden’: Messy from low-density sprawl and hidden as cities grow beyond
administrative boundaries to include ‘ruralopilises’, which are densely
populated rural areas and outskirts not officially designated as cities.
Ruralopilises today are estimated to make up to 60 percent of urban
Pakistan[2]. Such urbanization without an accompanying shift in economic
patterns does not bode well.
Without better urban planning to accommodate rapid growth, cities have the
potential to become hotbeds of discontent and unrest rather than engines of
growth and innovation.
Following are the biggest challenges facing urban policymakers.
1. Poor housing quality and affordability
The State Bank of Pakistan has estimated that across all major cities, urban
housing was approximately 4.4 million units short of demand in 2015. If
current trends continue, Pakistan’s five largest cities will account for 78
percent of the total housing shortage by 2035. Even if urban population
remains stagnant, the growing trend of nuclear families who seek housing
separate from larger families will increase pressure on housing supply[3].
When provided, housing is often low quality. Pakistan ranks eighth among the
ten countries that collectively hold 60 percent of substandard housing across
the world[4]. Karachi, one of the world’s fastest growing megacities with an
estimated 17 million people, ranks second lowest in South Asia and sixth
lowest in the world on the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2015 livability index.
2. Water and Sanitation

In most Pakistani cities, water is supplied only four to 16 hours per day and to
only 50 percent of the population. According to the Asian Development Bank
(ADB), 90 percent of water supply schemes are unsafe for drinking. Shared
latrines among households are common in cities and access to solid waste
management services remains low. In the most population-dense areas of
Karachi, one toilet is shared between twenty people. The World Bank
estimates that poor sanitation costs Pakistan around 3.9 percent of GDP;
diarrhea-related death and disease among children under five being the
largest contributors.
3. Transportation
Karachi is the only megacity in the world without a mass public transport
system. Meanwhile, the cost of private transportation is estimated to have
increased by over 100 percent since 2000. Those who cannot afford the
commute are forced to live in unplanned, inner-city neighborhoods.
Increased private transport on urban roads has caused severe congestion.
The government has responded by upgrading many urban roads. However,
infrastructure for the most common modes of travel in Pakistan – such as
pavements for walking or special lanes for bicycles – either does not exist or
has been encroached upon. This is despite the fact that 40 percent of all trips
in Lahore are made on foot.
Mobility in urban Pakistan is also harder for women. An ADB study found that
almost 85 percent of working-women surveyed in Karachi were harassed in
2015.
4. Health
While overall health and nutrition are better for urban than for rural
populations[5], child mortality and malnutrition indicators show that
Pakistan’s urban poor have health outcomes only marginally better than the
rural poor.
Better health outcomes in urban areas are explained by improved access to
private health care in cities. But with the exception of immunization, utilization
of basic public health services is very low in urban areas.
Poor health outcomes are also a direct impact of the pollution caused by rapid
urbanization. According to the World Health Organization, Karachi is the most
polluted city in Pakistan with air twice as polluted as that of Beijing. The level
of pollution in Punjab’s major cities is also three to four times higher than that
determined safe by the UN.
A lack of clean drinking water remains a major contributor to the high
mortality rate of children under five years old. According to Save the Children’s
2015 Annual Report, poor urban children in Pakistan are more likely to die
young than rural children.
The challenge of global warming has also intensified in cities. A rise in
concrete structures across the urban landscape is increasing temperatures
within cities.[6] In 2015, an unanticipated heat wave in Karachi led to almost
1,500 deaths.
5. Education
Although urban areas have higher student enrollment and better learning
outcomes, close to 10 percent of all children in Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar
remain out of school.
Like healthcare, better education in cities is explained by the private sector.
From 2001 to 2014, the share of primary enrollment in urban private schools
rose from 25 percent to 40 percent.
Moreover, there seems to be an inverse relationship between public schooling
and city size. In small cities, approximately 35 percent of all children aged five
to nine are enrolled in government schools. In capital cities, that figure drops
to 22 percent.
Continued preference for private schools reflects the low quality of
government schools in urban centers. While all private schools have basic
facilities (drinkable water and toilets), they are missing in around 12 percent
of government schools in Lahore.
The absence of educational and health facilities in smaller cities pushes
people towards big cities, where service delivery becomes increasingly
strained as the urban population grows.
6. Land Management
Outdated land use regulation and building codes, the absence of a unified land
record system and patchy data on land use result in poor urban land
management. One consequence is extreme inequality in land use. In Karachi,
36 percent of the population lives in formally planned settlements that
consume 77 percent of the city’s residential land, where urban density can be
as low as 84 people per hectare. On the other hand, Karachi’s many informal
settlements have densities of more than 4,500 per hectare. These hugely
varying densities have resulted in unequal access to vital urban services.
Unplanned urban sprawl continues unchecked. Housing schemes built beyond
city limits have used up an estimated 60,000 acres of prime agricultural
land. Both Karachi and Lahore have seen the development of large real estate
schemes by private and military developers particularly along the highways.
These ventures are redefining urban limits, further straining service delivery.

https://www.academia.edu/28619923/
State_of_Smart_Cities_in_Pakistan_Challenges_Issues_and_Initiatives_State_of_Smart_Cities_i
n_Pakistan_Ali_Agha_2
Urbanization's Transformative Potential and Challenges in South Asia

A recent World Bank report titled "Leveraging Urbanization in South Asia: Managing
Spatial Transformation for Prosperity and Livability" highlights the potential for Pakistan
to utilize urbanization as a means to bolster its economy and elevate its status among
wealthier nations. However, the report points out that, like many other countries in the
region, Pakistan faces challenges in effectively harnessing the benefits of urbanization.

The Impact of Urban Pressures and "Messy and Hidden" Urbanization

The report was presented during the third Pakistan Urban Forum, shedding light on the
difficulties posed by the strain of growing urban populations on vital aspects such as
infrastructure, basic services, land, housing, and the environment. This has led to what
the report terms "messy and hidden" urbanization not only in Pakistan but across the
entire region. This form of urbanization has hindered the realization of the full potential
of urbanization in terms of prosperity and livability.

Managed Urbanization's Dual Potential: Prosperity and Livability

Peter Ellis, Lead Urban Economist at the World Bank, emphasizes the transformative
power of well-managed urbanization. He asserts that Pakistan, being the most
urbanized large country in South Asia and deriving a significant portion of its economic
growth from cities, can greatly benefit from properly managed urbanization. Cities in
Pakistan contribute up to 78 percent of the country's GDP, and urban job growth is a
priority outlined in the government's Vision 2025.

Challenges of Messy Urbanization in Pakistan

The report highlights the characteristics of messy urbanization in Pakistan, including

low-density sprawl and urban expansion beyond administrative boundaries. Such trends
create planning, transportation, and public service challenges. Widespread poverty and
slum areas further underline the challenges. In 2010, around one in eight urban
residents lived below the national poverty line, and almost 46.6 percent of the urban
population lived in slums.

The Reality of Hidden Urbanization

The report identifies hidden urbanization as an issue arising from official national
statistics underestimating the proportion of the population living in areas with urban
attributes. While official data indicated that 36 percent of Pakistanis lived in urban
 settlements in 2010, the World Bank estimates that the actual urban population share
might be as high as 55 percent. Recognizing this urban reality can facilitate more
effective urban planning and management.

Impact on Livability and Addressing Urban Challenges

Failing to address these challenges can negatively affect the livability of cities. In 2010,
Pakistan faced an urban housing shortage of approximately 4.4 million units. Karachi's
low ranking (135th out of 140 cities) in the 2015 Economist Intelligence Unit's livability
index and Dhaka's even lower ranking highlight the potential negative consequences of
unmanaged urbanization.

Urban Agglomerations and Future Projections

Pakistan has experienced a decline in multi-city agglomerations since the 2000s. The
merging of existing agglomerations has outpaced the formation of new ones. Notably,
the Lahore agglomeration has expanded to encompass other cities, forming a
continuously lit belt comparable to its Delhi counterpart.

Anticipated Urban Population Growth and Necessity of Proper Management

Pakistan's urban population is projected to increase by around 40 million people to an

estimated 118 million by 2030. As a result, addressing the challenges posed by
urbanization becomes imperative. Concentrated economic activity and job creation can
accompany well-managed agglomerations.

Recommendations for Effective Urbanization Management

The World Bank report suggests that policymakers in Pakistan and South Asia should
focus on two levels for effective urbanization management: the institutional level and
the policy level. Improvements in urban governance and finance are needed.
Empowerment, resources, and accountability deficits need addressing:

 Empowerment: Enhancing intergovernmental fiscal relations.

 Resources: Providing local governments with adequate resources.
 Accountability: Strengthening mechanisms for local government accountability.

Additionally, policy reforms are essential to tackle challenges related to urban

connectivity, land and housing markets, and urban resilience to natural disasters and
climate change. While institutional changes are necessary, policy actions are equally
crucial for lasting improvements in prosperity and livability.

https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/10/4216

URBANIZATION IN PAKISTAN

Introduction

Urbanization is a complex phenomenon that holds significant implications for economic

growth and structural transformation within a country. Economic theory posits that
urbanization is closely linked to the reallocation of resources from low-productivity
agriculture to high-productivity industry and services sectors. As such, cities and urban
areas become magnets for these sectors, benefiting from the influx of surplus and
underemployed labor. Consequently, rapid economic growth is often closely associated
with urbanization, and the pace of this urbanization is further accelerated by migration.

Urbanization and Economic Growth

Historical evidence indicates that no country has achieved middle-income or high-

income status without undergoing substantial urbanization and industrialization. Cities
play a pivotal role in facilitating economic growth, with vibrant urban centers being
integral to achieving high-income status. This is underscored by the fact that between
1980 and 1998, around 86 percent of value-added growth in developing countries
stemmed from the manufacturing and services sectors. This trend underscores the
importance of cities as centers of economic activity and growth.

Empirical Evidence and Urbanization Trends

During the period from 1985 to 2005, the urban population in developing countries
experienced rapid growth, expanding by over 8.3 million individuals annually. Factors
such as falling transportation and communication costs, along with the potential for
exploiting economies of scale, contributed to the growth and density of towns and
cities. However, the benefits of urbanization are not guaranteed and depend on how it is
managed. If managed well, urbanization can lead to increased prosperity, while poor
management can result in congestion, squalor, and widening income disparities
between urban and rural areas.

Managing Urbanization
 The success of urbanization hinges on effective management. China serves as an
example of a country that has managed both rapid growth and urbanization by
investing in institutions, infrastructure, and incentives. In contrast, some African nations
have experienced urbanization without commensurate economic growth. The World
Development Report 2009 identifies three critical attributes of development that are
often overlooked: geographic unevenness, circular causation, and neighborhood effects.
Understanding these attributes is essential for shaping successful urbanization
strategies.

Attributes of Development

 Geographic Unevenness: Governments often struggle to balance economic production

and its even distribution. This imbalance is an inherent challenge in fostering
development.
 Circular Causation: Rising economic concentrations can coincide with geographic
convergence in living standards. This indicates that agglomeration and migration can
lead to both economic concentration and improved living standards.
 Neighborhood Effects: Spillovers have the potential to overcome geographic unevenness
and circular causation. Economic integration is a realistic way to harness immediate
benefits from concentration and achieve long-term convergence.

Urbanization and Economic Transformation

As economies and population density in towns and cities grow, countries can reach the
upper middle-income category, typically marked by a per capita income of $3,500. This
shift is often accompanied by a rise in the urban population share to around 50 percent.
This transformation is closely tied to shifts from agrarian to industrial to services sectors.
Interestingly, evidence suggests that a thriving agriculture sector can support the shift
from farming to industry, as prosperous agriculture contributes to urban and rural
prosperity alike.

Infrastructure and Investment

Investment in urban infrastructure tends to be more cost-effective due to higher

population density in cities. However, a balanced approach is needed. Higher per capita
incomes in urban areas generate demand for income-elastic products like dairy, meat,
and fruits, which in turn boosts rural incomes. This demand can be leveraged to improve
rural connectivity, market integration, and basic services through prudent allocation of
resources.
Market Forces and Agglomeration

Urbanization is facilitated by agglomeration, which enables cost-effective movement of

goods, people, and ideas. Agglomeration economies benefit both manufacturing and
services sectors, creating productive jobs that attract rural migrants seeking improved
incomes. These migrants often send remittances back to their rural families, raising
overall living standards and bridging economic disparities.

Interdependency and Integration

The integration of lagging and leading regions is crucial for balanced development.
Large supermarkets and departmental stores can directly source supplies from farmers,
increasing farmers' incomes. This integration can prompt families to prioritize education
over farming, contributing to lagging regions' catch-up with leading areas. Such
interdependence relies on harnessing the market forces of agglomeration, migration,
and specialization.

Urbanization in Pakistan

Pakistan is among the fastest urbanizing countries in South Asia, with the urban
population rising from 17 percent in 1951 to 37 percent in 2010. Projections suggest
that this trend will continue, with half the population expected to live in urban areas
within the next 10 to 15 years. Population growth and net migration are major drivers of
this urban growth.

Urbanization Challenges in Pakistan

Despite the potential benefits of urbanization, Pakistan faces challenges in urban

planning and informal settlements. While master plans have been devised, their practical
execution has often fallen short, with a substantial portion of the urban population
residing in informal settlements (Katchi Abadis). Cities like Karachi, Lahore, and others
exhibit varying degrees of urbanization success and challenges.

Public Policy and Urban Development

Public policy in Pakistan has intermittently focused on urban development, with

sporadic progress driven by enlightened leaders assuming power. However,
foundational stability and consistent planning have been lacking. Challenges persist due
to inadequate allocation of resources and political considerations.

Rural-Urban Synergy
Rather than viewing urbanization and rural development as a zero-sum game, Pakistan
has the potential to foster a positive-sum synergy between the two. Large metropolitan
areas can stimulate intermediate cities and towns, which can then act as conduits for
rural development. Commuting between these areas and efficient infrastructure can
help bridge economic gaps.

Economic Integration and Urban Growth

The World Development Report 2009 emphasizes that the benefits of uneven growth
and inclusive development can be realized through economic integration. Certain places
thrive by promoting higher densities and shorter distances, encouraging agglomeration
and attracting businesses and workers.

Agglomeration and Externalities

Agglomeration, the clustering of firms within specific industries, can lead to positive
externalities like improved access to resources and skilled workers. However, these
externalities can turn negative if urban areas lack basic infrastructure and face
environmental degradation.

In conclusion, urbanization is a multifaceted process with profound implications for

economic development. Effective management, infrastructure investment, and
understanding the dynamics of urban-rural interaction are key to harnessing the
potential benefits of urbanization. Pakistan's urbanization journey reflects a mixture of
successes and challenges, with the need for consistent, informed policies to drive
sustainable growth and equitable development.

Rural-Urban Integration

Rural Migration and Coping Strategies Over half of rural households in Pakistan lack
land ownership, prompting migration as a means to access better job opportunities,
higher wages, and the capacity to send remittances to their families. Rural-urban and
urban-overseas migration remain integral to their survival strategy. These factors,
coupled with the influence of electronic media, suggest that migration trends will
persist. Consequently, it's essential to consider integrating rural and urban economies
rather than relying solely on rural development to curb migration.

Agricultural Transformation Agricultural sector changes are driving transformation.

While major and minor crops once dominated agriculture, the sector's value-added now
increasingly stems from livestock, dairy, fisheries, and horticulture. The dairy industry
exemplifies rural-urban synergies, where rural production meets urban consumption.
The entire value chain, encompassing milk collection, transportation, processing, and
distribution, involves agriculture, industry, and services sectors. Such linkages benefit
both rural and urban populations.

Investment for Agricultural Potential To unlock agriculture's supply potential,

investments in research, soil and water management, veterinary services, and
infrastructure are vital. Investments in roads, logistics, processing, packaging, and
retailing further enhance the seamless flow of goods and services between rural and
urban areas. Additionally, mobile phones and satellite TV are blurring the lines between
urban and rural lifestyles.

Challenges in Land Markets Inefficient land markets due to unclear land titles,
incomplete documentation, manipulation, and bureaucratic control hinder productive
land allocation. Land markets' functionality is pivotal for allocating land resources
efficiently and driving productivity.

Managing Urbanization

Breaking the Vicious Cycle Pakistan's urbanization has suffered from a cycle of
ineffective planning, poor execution, weak enforcement, financial instability, fragmented
governance, and overlapping jurisdictions. Tackling this cycle is a crucial challenge in
managing urbanization.

Administrative Autonomy Devolving administrative and financial autonomy to

metropolitan and city district governments is pivotal for effective governance. Building
strong district governments is necessary to ensure devolution's success. Land and labor
market reforms, along with basic service delivery improvements, are also essential
institutional reforms.

Urban Management and Planning Metropolitan governments, headed by elected

mayors, should oversee major cities, managing master planning, land allocation, public
transport, housing, and infrastructure. Intermediate cities require city district
governments with administrative and financial autonomy. This will curtail issues like
informal settlements, inadequate services, and fragmented governance.

Urban Public Finances Urbanization's informalization poses challenges for urban public
finances. The burden of expanding urban infrastructure services falls on a shrinking tax
base, resulting in overburdened taxpayers. Mobilizing urban public finances is essential
to sustain urban growth and development.
Master Plan Implementation The sanctity and observance of master plans are crucial
for urban management. However, many plans remain unexecuted, and enforcement of
bylaws is often lacking due to corruption and malpractices. Transparency and good
governance are prerequisites for reversing issues like urban sprawl, squatter settlements,
and inadequate services.

Regional Growth Poles Utilizing border areas as growth poles is an innovative strategy.
Regional integration can develop border districts into special economic zones,
leveraging proximity and agglomeration economies. This approach could stimulate
economic resurgence, ease political tensions, and foster peaceful relations between
neighboring countries.

In summary, rural-urban integration is vital for Pakistan's sustainable development.

Migration is an enduring aspect of coping strategies, and fostering linkages between
rural and urban economies can lead to balanced growth. Leveraging agriculture's
transformation, efficient land markets, effective urban management, and innovative
strategies like regional growth poles can shape a more harmonious and prosperous
urbanization process.

Illiteracy: when compared to

urbaan population illiteracy
continues to be rampant in rural
areas. High illiteracy rates
among children as well as
adults continue even to this day
due to
inadequate budgetary provisions
for rural education.the quality
of education in rural areas is a
matter of grave concern despite
various programmes and
provisions.
Tradition conservatism and
superstition: rural india till date
is called convservative society
since it holds on to traditional
mindsets and beliefs.there is
usually a reliuctance to change
wy
of life and outlook due to habit
and fear of the unknown.
Caste influence: the traditional
right, authorities, sanction based
on caste hierarchy may not
be apparent today. However ,it
is so deeply entrenched in
people’s minds that t permeates
social interactions.
Nevertheless, in the ordinary
transactions of daily life ,
village people tend
to cooperate each other.
Farmers suicide:the
phenomenon of suicide by
farmers worrisome for india
because the
majority of the workforce is
dependant on the agriculture for
its livelihood. A large
percentage of farmers who took
their own lives were financially
indebted
Lower status of women: A
subordinate status is given to
women.Patriarchal values and
practices pervade all aspects of
social life. This in turn feeds
discriminatory practices and
gender stereotyping.
Family disputes: The conflict
over land holdings is a common
issue.due to this,many joint
families have broken and land
has become divided to such an
extent that it is hardly
cultivable.Farmers suffer due
such and their children are then
not motivated to continue
farming on disputed land
Illiteracy: when compared to
urbaan population illiteracy
continues to be rampant in rural
areas. High illiteracy rates
among children as well as
adults continue even to this day
due to
inadequate budgetary provisions
for rural education.the quality
of education in rural areas is a
matter of grave concern despite
various programmes and
provisions.
Tradition conservatism and
superstition: rural india till date
is called convservative society
since it holds on to traditional
mindsets and beliefs.there is
usually a reliuctance to change
wy
of life and outlook due to habit
and fear of the unknown.
Caste influence: the traditional
right, authorities, sanction based
on caste hierarchy may not
be apparent today. However ,it
is so deeply entrenched in
people’s minds that t permeates
social interactions.
Nevertheless, in the ordinary
transactions of daily life ,
village people tend
to cooperate each other.
Farmers suicide:the
phenomenon of suicide by
farmers worrisome for india
because the
majority of the workforce is
dependant on the agriculture for
its livelihood. A large
percentage of farmers who took
their own lives were financially
indebted
Lower status of women: A
subordinate status is given to
women.Patriarchal values and
practices pervade all aspects of
social life. This in turn feeds
discriminatory practices and
gender stereotyping.
Family disputes: The conflict
over land holdings is a common
issue.due to this,many joint
families have broken and land
has become div
Illiteracy: when compared to
urbaan population illiteracy
continues to be rampant in rural
areas. High illiteracy rates
among children as well as
adults continue even to this day
due to
inadequate budgetary provisions
for rural education.the quality
of education in rural areas is a
matter of grave concern despite
various programmes and
provisions.
Tradition conservatism and
superstition: rural india till date
is called convservative society
since it holds on to traditional
mindsets and beliefs.there is
usually a reliuctance to change
wy
of life and outlook due to habit
and fear of the unknown.
Caste influence: the traditional
right, authorities, sanction based
on caste hierarchy may not
be apparent today. However ,it
is so deeply entrenched in
people’s minds that t permeates
social interactions.
Nevertheless, in the ordinary
transactions of daily life ,
village people tend
to cooperate each other.
Farmers suicide:the
phenomenon of suicide by
farmers worrisome for india
because the
majority of the workforce is
dependant on the agriculture for
its livelihood. A large
percentage of farmers who took
their own lives were financially
indebted
Lower status of women: A
subordinate status is given to
women.Patriarchal values and
practices pervade all aspects of
social life. This in turn feeds
discriminatory practices and
gender stereotyping.
Family disputes: The conflict
over land holdings is a common
issue.due to this,many joint
families have broken and land
has become div
Illiteracy: when compared to
urbaan population illiteracy
continues to be rampant in rural
areas. High illiteracy rates
among children as well as
adults continue even to this day
due to
inadequate budgetary provisions
for rural education.the quality
of education in rural areas is a
matter of grave concern despite
various programmes and
provisions.
Tradition conservatism and
superstition: rural india till date
is called convservative society
since it holds on to traditional
mindsets and beliefs.there is
usually a reliuctance to change
wy
of life and outlook due to habit
and fear of the unknown.
Caste influence: the traditional
right, authorities, sanction based
on caste hierarchy may not
be apparent today. However ,it
is so deeply entrenched in
people’s minds that t permeates
social interactions.
Nevertheless, in the ordinary
transactions of daily life ,
village people tend
to cooperate each other.
Farmers suicide:the
phenomenon of suicide by
farmers worrisome for india
because the
majority of the workforce is
dependant on the agriculture for
its livelihood. A large
percentage of farmers who took
their own lives were financially
indebted
Lower status of women: A
subordinate status is given to
women.Patriarchal values and
practices pervade all aspects of
social life. This in turn feeds
discriminatory practices and
gender stereotyping.
Family disputes: The conflict
over land holdings is a common
issue.due to this,many joint
families have broken and land
has become di