Open AccessUrban Population Growth in Pakistan 1961-1972
Author(s) -
Richard W. Helbock
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
pakistan development review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.154
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 0030-9729
DOI - 10.30541/v14i3pp.315-333
Subject(s) - urbanization , population , geography , population growth , fertility , productivity , socioeconomics , agriculture , welfare , total fertility rate , economic growth , demography , economics , research methodology , family planning , sociology , market economy , archaeology
The growth of cities is a subject of increasing concern amongsocial scientists and government planners in Pakistan as elsewhere inthe developing world. Redistribution of the population frompredominantly rural to increas¬ingly urban pattern of residence hasfar-reaching implications for the demographic, socio-economic, andpolitical character of the nation. Indeed, the process of urbanizationas it applies in the Third World nations is gene¬rating considerabledebate among scholars, for there are important policy impli¬cations anddivergent views regarding the consequences of urban growth. Ad¬vocatesof urbanization, who see it as the key which unlocks economicdevelopment and modernization [6], are being challenged by others whoview cities as neo-coloniaiistic structures which drain their regionalhinterlands of scarce re¬sources [5] and provide a Western life-stylefor only the elite minority [13]. Meanwhile, government planners andpolicy makers have embarked upon pro¬grammes designed to foster urbangrowth and in some cases create new urban centres. The Agrovilles Schemeis such a programme under way in Pakistan [12].