How to Eliminate Slums in Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan is faced with the challenge of population increase and uncontrolled urbanization. Government failure to properly manage and accommodate the increased population in cities has been the major cause for slum formation. The government attempted various techniques to overcome the slum condition in cities. However, these initiatives were never chosen through a research process, nor were these evidence based. This research advocates that slums are formed through various means and that each requires different techniques, rather than upgrading infrastructure only. The reason for the existence of these slums is that public sector housing is not in range of the needy class nor is there some sort of mechanism for them to meet their housing demand in a proper manner. Therefore, the market forces are free to carve alternate ways for the shelter needs of the poor. This is how slums formed and progressed in Pakistan. The government spent millions every year but failed to stop slum formation. This research is to understand the slum formation process and suggests the choice of a feasible option among preventive or curative measures for its clearance.