Land, Power, and Governance: Rethinking Ravi Urban Development Project

Abstract

Labelled as the world’s largest riparian development, The Ravi Urban Development Project (RUDP) prompts serious implications for governance and land rights in Pakistan. The research examines the project’s governance framework, by focusing on the Ravi Urban Development Authority Act (RUDA Act) and the controversial amendments that follow. The aforementioned legislative measures, effectively bypass the local tier of government and raise concerns about constitutional compliance, centralization of authority, and transparency. Taking careful note of the land acquisition practices, which have sparked widespread protests and legal challenges. Reports from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reveal patterns of forced evictions, inadequate compensation, and coercive tactics against landowners, highlighting systemic violations of constitutional rights and international norms. The analysis contextualizes these practices within the broader governance challenges in South Asia regarding urban development, highlighting substantial risks posed to landowners or marginalized communities.

The following research advocates that the RUDP represents a rather urgent case for rethinking urban governance and inclusive development. It emphasises the need for robust legal safeguards, participatory decision-making, and transparent compensation mechanisms to ensure that large-scale urban projects uphold human rights and align with constitutional values. By and large, the research hopes to push forward the discourse on equitable and inclusive urban development in Pakistan.