Abstract
This paper describes the attempts by government agencies to build an expressway along the Lyari River in Karachi, and the struggles by the long-established communities, whose homes and livelihoods would be destroyed, for consultation and consideration of less damaging alternatives. Official proposals would destroy the livelihoods of 40,000 wage earners and the schools of 26,000 students, along with household and community investments worth some US$ 80 million. Government planners and politicians failed to follow official procedures to allow public discussions of the plans or to provide communities with details of how and when they might be affected. The paper also describes how political parties failed to respond to the concerns of the inhabitants who were their supporters, even as they recognized that these concerns were legitimate. With no consultative process that can resolve differences and make planning more pro-poor and pro-environment, powerful interests have been able to impose their decisions despite well-planned alternatives to official proposals, which are more effective, less costly and far less disruptive to Karachi’s economy. However, these alternatives are being discussed more widely, as community organizations formed by those affected by the plans work with local academics, researchers and NGOs - and as the middle class and the media begin to see the legitimacy of their concerns and the value of the alternatives they propose.