Urban Modernity and Spatial Transformation: The Evolution of Lyallpur to Faisalabad

Abstract

In contemporary urban studies, there remains significant untapped potential to address the complexities of urban modernity through the lens of spatial transformation. Early scholarship, particularly grounded in post-colonial theory, has explored the relationship between cities and modernity by accounting for uneven geographical and historical trajectories. Building on this foundation, the present study investigates the urbanization process of Lyallpur now known as Faisalabad in Pakistan across three distinct eras. The objective is to critically examine how growth patterns have shaped the city’s spatial hierarchy and altered the dynamics of urban life. By tracing the city’s transformation through socio-economic and political lenses, this research aims to unpack the underlying forces that have driven its evolving urban form. The study posits that urban modernity in Faisalabad is best understood not as a linear progression, but as a contextually embedded process shaped by local conditions and contested narratives. Findings indicate that two key aspects have been largely overlooked in conventional urban planning: the role of contextual transformation and the profound influence of spatial formation on the city’s development. This underscores the inadequacy of universalized planning frameworks and highlights the need for strategies that respond to the specific urban experiences of cities like Faisalabad. To this end, the study presents two critical observations. First, there is a pressing need to develop new conceptual frameworks to guide context-sensitive urbanization. Second, revitalizing spatial transformation alongside socio-economic development is essential for fostering sustainable and inclusive urban futures in Pakistan. Through this case study, the paper calls for a reorientation of urban policy, one that is grounded in the lived realities and historical trajectories of post-colonial cities.