CHALLENGES OF URBAN REGENERATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES: A CASE STUDY OF DHARAMPURA MUSTAFABAD, LAHORE

Abstract

Urban regeneration serves as the main method which cities use to restore their historic inner-city neighborhoods that suffer from multiple physical and social and economic and environmental problems. The research study evaluates how urban regeneration operates in Dharampura Mustafabad Lahore which contains two main challenges. The research combines two research methods by using quantitative surveys to study 50 residents and business operators while conducting qualitative research through field observations and semi-structured interviews and secondary data analysis. The unregulated expansion of bazaars has created street congestion problems and public space encroachment issues and pedestrian safety concerns, while the city experiences frequent flooding because its drainage system remains outdated. The community experiences social disconnection because additional social spaces for public use and recreational activities do not exist. The regression analysis demonstrates a strong connection between drainage frequency and daily life disturbances (p = 0.004) whereas bazaar encroachment and recreational space preferences show perceptual impacts without statistically significant correlation. The SWOT analysis identifies three main strengths for the neighborhood, which include its historical heritage value, its strategic location, and its active community participation. The community needs immediate solutions to its infrastructure problems, which are combined with unregulated commercial development. The government needs to improve infrastructure development through zoning regulations and green space creation, which faces funding shortages and public opposition to regulatory measures. The research findings show that cities should adopt integrated strategies which respect local conditions to create sustainable urban regeneration projects. The main project elements include land-use control measures, restricted bazaar development, creation of streets which support pedestrian movement, installation of new drainage systems, and construction of public spaces which meet community requirements. The research demonstrates that planning processes need to include public participation and institutional cooperation to develop solutions which fulfill social equality requirements while maintaining environmental integrity and cultural respect. This research study delivers evidence-based knowledge which assists urban planners and policymakers because it presents a framework for transforming heritage districts in emerging metropolitan areas of developing countries into sustainable urban spaces.