How has Capitalist Urbanization Shaped Karachi?

Globalization has created a free flow of goods, services, and human resources. With the increased accessibility of resources, trade expanded across the world, which led to the growth of capitalism. Additionally, capitalism has shaped society, businesses, job opportunities, and urban spaces. It is vital to understand that contemporary urban spaces have not shaped capitalist environments like office buildings and factories. Contrary to this common misconception, it is capitalism that has shaped urban spaces in a way that their infrastructure promotes economic growth. Modern planned cities like Islamabad follow a structure separating residential zones or living spaces from economic zones. Economic zones are usually situated far away from residential zones. However, the commute or living spaces are not always affordable for lower socio-economic classes, so they reside in underdeveloped areas closer to economic zones like slums. 

On the other hand, Karachi is not a planned city like Islamabad. However, Karachi is the economic hub of Pakistan. If you focus on the city’s urban structure, you can see that North Karachi is built in a completely different way from South Karachi. Additionally, you can identify the boundaries between the living space and the economic zone. Furthermore, you can see the physical and social differences between old Karachi, the Sadar area, and contemporary Karachi, consisting of Defence or Clifton.

How Has Capitalist Urbanization Shaped South Karachi?

South Karachi can be categorized as an economic zone because it mostly consists of commercial areas. Such areas are equipped to cater to the growth of businesses because the buildings are relatively modern, and the area is bustling with economic opportunities. The infrastructure of areas like Defence or Clifton is contemporary, and it supports the construction of office buildings and local shops. Moreover, there are living spaces present in these economic zones, but they are either too expensive for middle- and lower-class citizens, or they have been too commercialized for the residents. Most middle-class people live in apartment buildings because houses or bungalows are far too expensive. Additionally, the apartment buildings in commercial areas are constructed over shops with no amenities like parking, security, or recreational spaces. Therefore, these commercial areas have become overpopulated and congested because they consist of economic and residential spaces. 

Furthermore, capitalist urbanization has created an uncomfortable environment for the residents in commercial areas. For example, the roads are very narrow and poorly constructed, and most of the footpaths are populated with shops like food stalls, mechanics, and tailors. Therefore, the narrow space is always crowded with both buyers and sellers of the businesses present in the area. Moreover, due to bustling economic activity, there is always traffic or roadblocks in these areas as the roads are falling apart, and there is no space for cars or water tankers to move and park. Additionally, heavy traffic creates a lot of air and noise pollution, which negatively impacts the residents of the commercial apartment buildings. However, if you focus on office buildings or economic zones in South Karachi, the urban structures are worlds apart from the commercial/ residential zones. 

Most multinational or conglomerate corporations have their headquarters and offices in South Karachi. The buildings are constructed in open and easily accessible areas, and the architecture is very modern and of high quality. They have their separate entrances and parking spaces for the employees, and you need a form of identification even to enter these business areas. Additionally, these buildings have their separate security with guards and surveillance cameras. All the amenities provided in these areas promote the growth and safety of the business.

How Do Capitalist Urbanized Zones of Karachi Differ From Residential Zones?

In comparison to South Karachi, North Karachi is significantly different in terms of urbanization. Areas like Gulistan e Johar, Gulshan e Iqbal, and Nazimabad are community living spaces that provide affordable housing. The residential areas in the North Karachi area are much more resident-friendly because these zones are specifically for living spaces. You can find affordable houses rather than just apartments, and these houses are in gated communities with open roads. You can see children playing outside of their homes or people going on walks because there is no traffic. The commercial shops are situated at a distance from the living spaces so economic activity and residential areas can coexist, and this avoids traffic noise and overcrowdedness. Furthermore, the university road is in Gulshan, so it is a separate zone dedicated to educational institutes.

However, the people living in North Karachi have to travel to the South for business and employment opportunities. Similarly, the people residing in the South, especially the youth, have to come to North Karachi for University. Moreover, the commute between these two zones takes almost an hour, so people have to choose between affordable housing and shorter commute time. In addition to the long commute, since Karachi is a densely populated city, traffic is very unpredictable. Office timings coincide with the rush hour, so sometimes getting stuck in bad traffic is inevitable, and you have to get used to it along with the long commute. 

With the current state of petrol prices rising, it has become extremely difficult for most middle- and lower-class citizens to keep up with the commute. Therefore, they have to reside in areas closer to their businesses regardless of the living conditions. This situation leads to the creation of slums. One of the most detrimental consequences of capitalist urbanization is the exploitation of the working class. The main reason that slums in Karachi and its surrounding areas have survived for so long is that most people from rural areas move to the city looking for economic opportunities, but the urban space does not provide them with affordable accommodation.

Conclusion

Economic growth is important, especially for a city like Karachi, which provides immense business opportunities for people with diverse skill sets. However, a city is not only built to support businesses because it needs to accommodate its residents in comfortable and affordable living spaces. Unfortunately, capitalist urbanization has shaped Karachi in a way that reduces residential spaces for the dense population.