Addressing environmental degradation and socioeconomic inequities through sustainable urban planning in Pakistan

• Investigates the role of sustainable urban planning in resolving Pakistan's urbanization issues. • Examines data from 1973 to 2022 to evaluate the effects on social and environmental inequalities. • Emphasizes the impact of transportation planning and renewable energy on air quality. • Subsidies mitigate disparities in equity, while social governance enhances justice. • Proposes policies to mitigate urban environmental degradation and advance equity. Pakistan's rapid urbanization has led to deforestation, habitat loss, water and air pollution, and other environmental damage, adversely affecting the country's green development agenda. The financial disparity between urban and rural communities perpetuates healthcare, education, and basic service shortages. This study examines Pakistan's sustainable urban design projects to address environmental issues, enhance urban living conditions, and eliminate socioeconomic inequities. The study uses a time-series dataset from 1973 to 2022 to explore how green energy adoption, transportation planning, and urban growth affect air quality. The study used the Fully Modified OLS (FMOLS) regression approach for parameter estimates. The results show that renewable energy utilization, transportation planning, and urban population development severely influenced Pakistan's air quality. Community engagement and government subsidies considerably lowered social justice in Pakistan. However, social governance improved social justice in the nation. Urbanization causes environmental and social issues that need well-informed policies and strategic planning. The study concludes that coordinated, long-term urban planning is needed to balance development, sustainability, and social justice. Policymakers should emphasize sustainable infrastructure, community-driven urban initiatives, and institutional strengthening for long-term sustained growth.