- Impact of Global Institutions on Urban Transport in Pakistani Cities   click here to open paper content236 kb
by    Muhammad, Imran | i.muhammad@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au   click here to send an email to the auther(s) of this paper
Short Outline
The purpose of this paper is to map out the possible impact of globalization (global institution) trends on decision making process of planning and implementation of urban transport policies in Pakistan. The aim here is to gain insight into the future planned development of urban transport in Lahore derived by global institutions.
Abstract
“Impact of Global Institutions on Urban Transport in Pakistani Cities”
By Muhammad Imran*

Globalization refers in a broad sense to the increasing internationalization of markets, changing consumption patterns and shifting industrial activities all over the world. Urban transport is one of the important sectors at present experiencing drastic changes due to globalization. These changes bring various global trends in urban transport of Pakistani cities as well. However, the relationship between globalization and transport policies are complex issues in the context of Pakistan. But it is important to evaluate that how these global institutions driving the urban transport policy of Pakistan towards sustainability.

The purpose of this paper is to map out the possible impact of globalization (global institution) trends on decision making process of planning and implementation of urban transport policies in Pakistan. The aim here is to gain insight into the future planned development of urban transport in Lahore derived by global institutions.

By applying institutional and discourse analysis approaches in the context of sustainability, the recent development in urban transport sector in Lahore, Pakistan will be evaluated in this paper. Sustainability is a global, urban project. It is useful tool for policy makers who have to deal with impact of globalization in urban transport sector. Especially in the case of Lahore, government is stimulating the construction of urban transport infrastructure for economic growth and environmental sustainability. In particular, introduction of light rail transit in the future planning of urban transport in Lahore has an impact on environmental, social and economical trend of the city. Although economic growth is not neglected in developing countries like Paksitan but are only important within environmental quality of life and societal affordability. The selection of Light Rail Transit project is due to my involvement as assistant transport planner in “Integrated Master Plan of Lahore”. Integrated Master Plan has justified the LRT project early proposed by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

This research contributes to explore institutional aspect of urban transport sustainability. This will help to work out the consequences of current strategies and plans proposed by global institutions and make it possible to compare the effects of these plans in future. The research will make a significant contribution to the institutional politics of urban transport in Pakistan.

Outcome of this paper will indicate, however, that the achievement of sustainable mobility is rather problematic in Pakistan. But global institution driving urban transport policy leads towards capital intensive project in the name of sustainability. That will result social problems in later stages and in realty making urban transport un-sustainable in Pakistan.
Keywords
Global Institution and Urban Transport in Pakistan
Case Study presented on the ISOCARP Congress 2003: Planning in a more globalized World
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