Re: Karachi turning into a ghetto?
^^ You have some really good points up there, but let me answer point-to-point on how we can still better the existing infrastructure in comparison to building completely new cities.
1. Screw city management, if we don't have an established city and an incompetent governance is at the helm then I just don't see how are we going to organize our city. Even New York started off as a trading port, and as its pop. grew so did the city, but still how did they manage to organize it? I know that Karachi has a significantly larger pop. but the govt. can still expand the city and manage it properly if the city is planned out properly. However, by the time organized areas are made (e.g. Bahria Town), the slum belts set up right behind them eventually demean their purpose. It's the slums that are causing these problems, I don't believe that any city should have unauthorized slum belts.
2. As far as traffic is concerned, it's all about planning. Okay maybe it will take some months' patience, but the advantages are huge... few of such projects have already been built in Karachi and have been successful (the police shouldn't give an inch of leniency to disruptions in order to allow more to be built).
Bigger sewerage lines will be needed in cities but they're an easier way to go with in comparison to building new sewerage lines in remote areas. Again it's all about planning here as well; however, the focal point in sewerage lines should be that they are not pollutive... and if proper water treatment plants are installed no matter how large the sewers are the environment still won't take the brunt of the consequences.
As far as costs are concerned, I think we should impose monthly costs on water, electricity and gas like the United Arab Emirates does; it helps in creating consumption awareness amongst the public (especially for countries lacking in natural resources). Another factor that affects costs is how difficult is it to transport energy into the intended area, and that will be significantly reduced if we have proper infrastructure planning.
3. Yes environmental effect is definitely a huge problem and I in no ways underestimate it. But once everything is planned out properly and the slums are demolished it will be significantly reduced. If we encourage public transport and have vehicular emission check-ups regularly, our environment would benefit immensely. Factories should be installed with pollution control technology (biofilters, scrubbers etc.) as well as certain congested areas of the city. Trees and greenery are a dire necessity. Even though I am from Karachi I heard that Lahore is doing very good in terms of improving the environment.
And as far as you are talking about building new cities, wouldn't it mean clear natural habitats for human settlement? We have sick natural habitats and great flora and fauna, and I think that in that means at least 40% of our land should be left intact. Plus we should really be considerate of our beautiful wildlife... in cities that would just mean stray catchers and spaying/neutering of dogs and cats, as well as an active operation of a wildlife association that should be supported by the govt. In rural areas it would be relatively more difficult because of their solitude.
I think the govt. should impose a ban on businessman on owning land property for self-beneficial commercial purposes, as well as the many upper-class people who do so. On the other hand construction companies should be promoted... particularly those who want to build residential buildings, as a decent reasonably-priced bldg. can be a quick solution for our lower-class pop. The govt. should also help in stabilizing the cost of doing business.
Whereas I am not outright opposing the ideas of building new cities, I think it is much better and a far quicker solution if we correct the existing infrastructure (and perhaps also more environmentally-friendly if organized well)