Living and Planning on the Edge: Unravelling Conflict and Claim-Making in Peri-Urban Lahore, Pakistan

In Lahore, Pakistan’s second largest city, high population growth rates, decades of rural-urban migration, and rampant land real-estate speculation have contributed to the rapid urbanization peri-urban engulfing pre-existing rural settlements. Lahore’s spatial transformation goes hand in with an increasingly complex urban governance framework. Historically shaped by colonial planning institutions political instability as power alternated between military civilian regimes, practices increasing levels segregation inequality. This raises questions around in- exclusionary role fostering or constraining residents’ access housing services. Comparing three vignettes drawing upon insights gained from extensive fieldwork, this article employs concept ‘access-assemblages’ analyze how resources—i.e., land, housing, services—is experienced, disputed, negotiated rapidly urbanizing fringe Lahore. The cases represent different socio-political configurations brought about a variety actors involved development city’s periphery well contesting development: private developers, army, city authorities, residents affected villages. analysis unpacks rationalities mechanisms that reinforce inequalities exclusions. Unfolding enable hinder actors’ ability resources sheds light on layers assembled Lahore serves basis rethink towards more inclusive approach.