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Pakistan Cities: Urban Sprawl Fuels Climate Crisis
14 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Pakistan's cities are growing due to population increase, not economic success.
- Urban expansion replaces vital green spaces, worsening climate impacts.
- Sprawling cities increase heat exposure and strain essential services.
Pakistan's urban centers are undergoing a dramatic transformation driven by a surging population rather than economic growth. This rapid urbanization is characterized by outward expansion, consuming natural landscapes and converting them into built-up areas. This pattern not only overwhelms existing infrastructure but also creates significant environmental challenges.
The relentless sprawl of cities like Lahore, Karachi, and even Islamabad is replacing vital green belts, farmlands, and natural buffers. This loss of nature's cooling systems leads to significantly higher land surface temperatures, particularly in peripheral zones. Millions are increasingly exposed to dangerous heat levels before even reaching traditional urban liveability thresholds.
This population-fueled land-use crisis positions Pakistan's peri-urban areas as a frontline for climate risk. The convergence of demographic pressure, poorly managed land conversion, and rising temperatures magnifies risks of heatwaves and environmental collapse, impacting daily life, public health, and economic productivity.
