Analysing Lahore through the Lens of Just City

Abstract

Urban planning plays a critical role in land development and the distribution of resources. In Pakistani cities, the ubiquitous disparities in urban development call for a closer examination of planning practices. The theory of the ‘Just City’ offers a valuable framework for understanding and addressing urban inequalities, emphasizing the need for planning that prioritizes justice, equity, and inclusivity. After discussion on the principles of the Just City in the first section of this study, I have attempted to analyse the performance of planning institutions of the Lahore city through that criterion. This study uses published literature and my personal observations to provide an insight into the planning systems. The research finds that the prolonged colonial administrative legacy following, European technologies for policy making, Americans for housing development, and conservative social differences has left the planning system of Lahore lacking in participation, prioritizing capitalistic bearings, and ignorant to the diversity imperatives.