Human Geography & Urbanisation
Population distribution, rural-urban migration and urban challenges
Population distribution = how people are spread across an area. Population density = people per km².
Pakistan's population is unevenly distributed:
- Dense: Punjab (especially central Punjab — Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala belt), urban Sindh (Karachi)
- Sparse: Balochistan (44% of land area, 5% of population), northern mountains
Factors affecting distribution:
- Physical: flat fertile land (Punjab plains), water availability, mild climate
- Human: jobs, transport links, historical settlement
Urbanisation: Growing proportion of people living in cities.
Pakistan is 37% urban (2024) — rising fast. Karachi (~22 million) is the 7th largest city in the world.
Causes of rural-urban migration:
- Push factors: agricultural job losses, drought, poverty, flooding, lack of services
- Pull factors: employment, education, healthcare, better infrastructure
Urban challenges in Pakistan:
- Housing: Katchi abadis (informal settlements/slums) house 50%+ of Karachi's population
- Traffic congestion: poor public transport, rapid car ownership increase
- Water supply: Karachi receives less than half its needed daily water
- Waste management: open dumping, inadequate collection
- Air pollution: industrial + vehicular emissions
Key Points to Remember
- 1Population density = people per km²; Punjab most dense
- 2Pakistan 37% urban; Karachi ~22 million people
- 3Rural-urban migration: push (poverty) + pull (jobs)
- 4Urban challenges: housing, water, traffic, pollution
Pakistan Example
Karachi's Katchi Abadis — Urbanisation and Inequality
Karachi's Orangi Town is the largest informal settlement in Asia — home to over 2.4 million people. Residents built their own water pipes, drainage, and schools (Orangi Pilot Project — a famous development case study). AKU Geography papers regularly use Karachi as an urbanisation case study, asking about push-pull migration factors and challenges of rapid urban growth.
Quick Revision Infographic
Geography — Quick Revision
Human Geography & Urbanisation
Key Concepts
Formulas to Know
Population density = people per km²; Punjab most denseKarachi's Katchi Abadis — Urbanisation and Inequality
Karachi's Orangi Town is the largest informal settlement in Asia — home to over 2.4 million people. Residents built their own water pipes, drainage, and schools (Orangi Pilot Project — a famous development case study). AKU Geography papers regularly use Karachi as an urbanisation case study, asking about push-pull migration factors and challenges of rapid urban growth.