Re: Observations in Lahore....
Actually, this is not only true in case of whole city but also even case of a whole neighborhood. I remember I went Defense in Lahore to visit someone and he told me that they've been living there for over a year and the only one they know is the next door neighbor...that too out of perchance otherwise no one knows the next door neighbor just like USA.
Every few times I went to Defense I got the same sort of feeling that you get from a apartment complex in USA: No one knows the next person living. You've shopping stores and fast food chains like McDonald's etc but no human touch. I can't imagine living in Pakistan and not knowing my next door neighbor...or 5th door neighbor on 3rd street over for that matter!
well the suburban sprawl phenomenon is the same everywhere. in my home in US if i dont want to talk to my nieghbours I dont need to, get in teh car in garage, drive away, no need to see anyone, but we make an attempt. in comparison you go closert to teh city with hgher population density, ppl will know thwir neighbours more. thats the case with areas like defence as well.
suburbs for the most part are bland..i say for the most part because that is not always the case.
and cities without a vibrant commercial, entertainment, arts, entertainment district are basically a collection of suburbs and thus mostly bland and boring.