(Concept Note)

SDPI is presently researching on the subject of rural to urban transition and the peri-urban interface. With the growth of megacities across the Asia region has come the expansion of peri-urban areas, transition zones where urban and rural activities are juxtaposed and landscape features are subject to rapid modifications induced by human activities. Peri-urban areas occupy large portions of national landscapes and are home to hundreds of millions of people. They face unique problems including intense pressures on resources, slum formation, lack of adequate services such as water and sanitation, poor planning and degradation of farmland. These areas face demands from users with contrasting lifestyles and conflicting interests that range from agriculture to residential, industrial and commercial and the development of green belts and nature reserves. The management of peri-urban areas is often neglected by both rural and urban administrations because they are located beyond administrative boundaries of cities in zones that are generally not identified as specific entities of planning.

The team has worked to produce a Status Report on the peri-ubranization of Lahore district. The report draws upon secondary sources, census reports of the government of Pakistan, existing literature and detailed interviews carried out for this study. Along with a discussion on the definition of the term “peri-urbanization” the study has investigated environmental, health and governance issues of peri-urban areas of Lahore. The team will aim to present key findings of this research through a seminar.

The event can also be watched live at  http://www.sdpi.tv/live.php

Chair: Dr Nadeem Javaid, Advisor to Minister on Planning, Development and Reforms

Speakers:

1. Syed Qaism Ali Shah, Associate Fellow, SDPI
2. Ms Anam A. Khan, Research Associate, SDPI
3. Mr Safyan Kakakhel, Research Associate, SDPI