General Overview Of Karachi In Pakistan

Introduction

Karachi is located on the coastline of Sindy province in Southern Pakistan, along a natural harbour on the Arabian Sea. This megacity is made up of 15,741,406 people throughout its 18 towns. Due to its population growth 40% of residents rely on public transport, but with 45 residents competing for one bus seat, travel within the city is difficult. It is estimated that in 2035 Karachi’s population will be 23,128,137. This city is densely populated with over 24,000 people per square kilometre. Karachi is Pakistan’s premier industrial and financial centre. This includes cement, steel, heavy machinery, chemicals, food, banking and other major industrial sectors contributing to their GDP, (Gross Domestic Product).

2. Development of the megacity

‘Karachi was founded in 1729. It originally was a small fisherman village’. The recognized the importance of the city as the trade post. When Pakistan was declared as a separate country in 1947, Karachi was chosen as the Capital of Pakistan. During this time Karachi offered homes and shelter to refugees and migrants.

The push factors of the megacity are that 48.7% of young people living in Karachi want to leave due to unemployment, insecurity, economic problems, lack of social support and career opportunities and because it is such an overpopulated city to go to. Pull factors; people move and immigrate to this megacity in search for jobs, education facilities and just for a new life opportunity.

3. Problems

Social

Karachi’s housing is a struggle because of the rapid growth and massive migration through the city meaning nearly 5 million people, or 50% of the population, in the year 2000 lived in slums. This number is believed to have grown. ‘It will likley need government support for developers who are not likely to be persuaded by the limited returns from building low-income housing. In Karachi, the current rate of mortgage housing finance varies from 13.7% to 14.7% for 20 years’. (Pakistan’s housing crisis , 2018). The housing demands in Karachi continue to grow over time. Karachi’s crime and safety are also a major struggle; ‘Crime and safety remain major concerns. Reporting indicates that the security situation in Karachi has improved from years past; however, street crimes remain frequent. These crimes include pickpocketing, the open illegal drugs trade, the creation of graffiti and vandalism of public property, assaults and the use of skimming devices on ATMs has risen in the city, attributed by police to Chinese organized crime groups’. (OSAC, 2019).

Economic

Karachi’s has many economic problems as it is well-known to the world as the commercial and financial capital of Pakistan. The unemployment of Pakistan is poor. 5.90% of people are unemployed and it is predicated to stay this way for the whole of 2020. Another economic issue Karachi faces is poverty. A majority of the country’s poor population lives in well-off cities like Karachi. The poverty rate of Karachi is only 8.9 percent. But overall, the city bears the burden of 2.5 percent of the country’s poor.

Environmental

The environmental problems faced all over Karachi are the worst. The industrialization as well as the lack of environmental oversight have contributed to the problems. Pollution; the air is so polluted due to the release of smoke, chemical and unhygenic particles into the atmosphere. These come from smoke emitted by cars, bikes, buses, the burning of garbage, oven fires and industrial emissions. Traffic congestion is the major issue through the city. Karachi public transit options are slim. An urban rail line closed in 1999, after years of poor station maintenance and service levels left the system unpopular. The city’s public buses, though numerous, are poorly monitored, unpredictable, and often dangerous. It is not uncommon to see riders climbing onto moving buses, or passengers sitting on top of the bus. Deforestation is another very common and major problem. ‘Deforestation started in Karachi with trees being cut down for various mega projects, but after the completion of said projects, the government did not bother to re-plant trees. Due to deforestation, Karachi receives less rainfall and the temperature of the city is increasing with each passing year. Meanwhile, concrete buildings, industries, and signboards are killing the city’s greenery’. (Shaikh, 2018).

4. Solutions

Social

There are solutions for Karachi’s housing crisis. Curitiba, Brazil still have slums filled with poor people. The slums will be cleared but to solve this Curitiba has used site and service schemes, where the government offers low interest loans on the land and free house design for the people. The residents learn to build the houses which have access to electricity, sewage and running water. This is a solution that could take place in Karachi.

Economic

Just like Karachi’s housing solutions there are also ways to solve poverty. Just like New York, Karachi could use Microcredit which is a hugely hyped solution for poverty. It is the lending of small amounts of money at low interest to new businesses in the developing world. It has been successful in opening up financial services to poor people across many countries. Karachi will provide extremely poor people with small loans, so they can start and operate a business. The borrows are able to save that money and pay back the loan over a period of time.

Environmental

Green business concerns re-use and recycling. Particularly, it’s the focus on re-using items, reducing the use of artificial items, and recycling more items. Paper, plastics, and wood are linked to the destruction of forests and other natural resources. This is a successful solution because many overpopulated cities have done this including Texas, California and Washington which is just the more reason why Karachi would be so much more successful in the future.

5. Future

With solutions

In 50 years’ time with recommendations

Social

• Less likely to see homeless people around the city as the government will offer low interest loans on the land and free house design for the people. The residents will then learn to build houses.

Economical

• People won’t struggle to find jobs and there will be less people with no money as Karachi will provide the extremely poor people with small loans.

Environmental

• Healthy environment because people will begin to recycle and re-use.

In 50 years’ time without recommendations

Social

• Very populated meaning lots of homeless people around the city.

Economical

• Lots of people will be poor and will suffer.

Environmental

• Less trees and lots of waste and rubbish around causing pollution.

6. Conclusion

Karachi is the 7th most populated city in the world. Just like every city it has its pros and cons. It has many job opportunities and education facilities for children and graduates. But Karachi is very populated, has a major housing problem, lots of pollution and poverty meaning some areas are hard to live in especially if you have a large family.