Mapping Adaptive Capacity of Urban Residents: A Case Study of Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Abstract

The study estimated the adaptive capacity ranking of urban union councils ofRawalpindi through composite index considering fifteen economic, social, and institutionalindicators as drivers of adaptive capacity through a structured questionnaire. The requiredsample size was 385 households and questionnaires were distributed to the residents of thirtyurban union councils at random. The results showed that union councils of MC Stadium BlockB, Khayaban e Sir Syed (KSS) Sector III and New Katarian- I had adaptive capacity 709, 676,and 674 respectively. Lakhan union council was found to have the lowest adaptive capacity of422. The difference between the lowest and the highest adaptive capacity is surprisingly highwith the difference of 287. KSS Sector III had highest savings ratio as compared to other unioncouncils. New Katarian-I was bestowed with institutional as well as non-institutional sourcesof loan. Lakhan was found to be weak in almost all indicators of adaptive capacity exceptavailability of institutional and non-institutional sources of loan. Pakistan, with high massurban population, needs to be well prepared for climate change risks as well as health hazards,therefore, new planned urban spaces are a dire need.