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Urban Development at the Expense of Environment: Assessment of Air Quality Following Deforestation for the Infrastructural Development of Red Line in Karachi

Maria Sajid Zaheer*; Hira Ovais*; Salman Mateen*

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Abstract

Urbanization and rapid population growth have increased the dependence on diverse modes of motorized transport across the globe. Further, due to densification of the inner cities, people are more compelled to live in the peripheral areas amplifying the need for commuting mostly through private vehicles. This ever-increasing dependence on automobiles has raised concerns about degradation of the environment, traffic congestion, excessive energy consumption, road accidents, and pollution of noise and air. Governments around the world are focusing more on sustainable and green modes of transport. The concept of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is relatively new but has become quite popular around the world especially in the developing countries due to its cost-effectiveness in contrast to rail systems and is promoted with an idea to reduce dependence on private vehicles which in turn is a benefit to the environment. However, in the context of Karachi, the development process of BRT is being carried out at the expense of environment whereby, trees present along the medians and traffic islands are brutally cut away to make way for BRT even in the situation where the hazards of climate change and global warming are much apparent.The trees and green belts are a source of ground water recharge, cutting of which leads to drying of water from the surface rather than getting absorbed in the sub-soil. The shortage of land in the city and quickly diminishing open spaces i.e., parks, playgrounds, medians, road islands, sidewalks, etc. are further aggravating the situation threatening the quality of life of the city. The study relies on IOT-AI based assessment of the air quality amid deforestation along 10 km approx. strip of main University Road. The study is carried out with an objective to highlight how green spaces act as lungs for the city and how cutting of them results in reduced air quality with recommendations guiding how the process of development can be carried out in a sustainable manner causing minimal threat to the natural assets.

Keywords: Urban degradation, Deforestation, Air-Quality, BRT, Environmental sustainability