From 1951 to 2006, to respond to the fast-changing social and economic environment, the planners of the city proposed five master plans. Each plan took stock of the existing demand and supply scenario of various sectors through diverse investigation and research techniques, making plans for the future by extrapolating the existing requirements.

The 1951 Merz Rendel Vatten (MRV) Plan stands as a pivotal moment in Karachi’s urban development journey. Recognising the burgeoning city’s needs, the MRV Plan aimed to address infrastructure demands and the looming water crisis. It emphasised exploring groundwater resources and utilising surface water from the Indus River. This forward-thinking approach, however, faced significant roadblocks. Political instability and economic constraints limited the plan’s implementation, leaving Karachi vulnerable to the very challenges it sought to mitigate.

The 1958 Greater Karachi Resettlement Plan, with its focus on housing,........

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