Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan, with a population of 16 million. It accounts for one-third of Sindh's population and one-fifth of the country's urban population. However, a highly complex political economy, highly centralized but fragmented governance, land contestation among many government entities, and week institutional capacity have made it difficult to manage the city's development. Karachi has also been beset with a worsening security situation for the past few decades, although recent improvements in the security environment have led to a reduction in violent crime. Social exclusion of marginalized parts of the population is a challenge that requires immediate attention. These factors have resulted in the rapid decline of the city's quality of life and economic competitiveness from its thriving status after the country's independence. The first part of Transforming Karachi into a Livable and Competitive Megacity provides a diagnosis of Karachi's issues, structured around three pathways focused on key aspects of city management: City growth and prosperity: an analysis of the city's economy, competitiveness and business environment and poverty trends, City livability: an assessment of the city's urban planning city management, governance and institutional capacity, and municipal service delivery, City sustainability and inclusiveness: an examination of the city's long-term risks and resilience. Each chapter provides a rapid diagnostic of the issues and a list of possible actions that can be taken in the short and long terms.

The second part of the book recommends a way forward based on four key pillars that will be important for the city's transformation: (1) building inclusive, coordinated, and accountable service-delivery institutions (2) greening Karachi for sustainability and resilience: (3) leveraging Karachi's economic, social, and environmental assets: and (4) creating a smart Karachi through policies and the use of smart tools and technologies. The four pillars of city transformation are accompanied by a set of actionable short- and long-term recommendations to transform Karachi. Transforming Karachi into a Livable and Competitive Megacity will be of particular interest to policy make's and development practitioners. Book jacket.