Master Plan Preparation and Implementation Challenges in the Urban Centers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Unplanned urbanization is one of the main challenges for urban planners in third-world countries. Like other developing countries, urbanization in Pakistan has also been on the rise, leading to numerous challenges such as traffic congestion, housing shortages, and environmental stress. These several challenges demanded comprehensive long-term planning to foster balanced and sustainable growth nationwide. Recognizing the need for comprehensive long-term planning and ensure the creation of sustainable and resilient cities, the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government took a monumental step in the year 2020 by announcing the execution of master plans for all urban centers/ cities across the province. The KP government's decision to create master plans for urban centers underscores the commitment to sustainable development. This research paper sheds light on the importance of master planning for sustainable urban development in KP and highlights the associated challenges for the preparation and implementation of these plans.