Spatial Inequality: A Case-Study of Megacity Karachi

Sumrin Kalia

Social Inequality Lab Working Paper Series from School of Economics and Social Sciences, IBA Karachi

Abstract: Inequality of income and wellbeing is not only unjust but also detrimental for social cohesion. Global and national inequalities have received considerable attention; however spatial inequalities, within cities are of equal concern. Spatial inequality reinforces social inequality because access to economic, social, and cultural capital is shaped by location. Such disparities within cities can socially destabilizing, leading to political discontent and conflict. This paper examines the extent of inequality in Karachi, Pakistan's largest metropolitan city. It goes beyond income and takes a multidimensional approach to inequality while situating it in the spatial configuration of the city. Using a unique data set that enables neighborhood-level analysis, the paper constructs an index of wellbeing based on measures of income, living environment conditions, education, employment, and asset holdings. It maps these dimensions across Karachi's neighborhoods revealing how spatial inequalities contribute to the peripheralization of certain social groups. Peripheries not only face restricted access to opportunities and resources but also experience increased social unrest. The paper contributes to our understanding of peripheralization by demonstrating how hierarchies between urban centers and peripheries sustain urban inequality. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of analyzing spatial disparities to deepen our understanding of social inequality and inform policy interventions.

Pages: 25 pages
Date: 2025
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