Tarz Press: Over the past two decades, particularly following the fall of the Taliban in 2001, Afghanistan’s cities have rapidly developed and witnessed a significant population surge. Kabul, the capital, now home to an estimated seven to eight million people, faces a severe infrastructure crisis. However, this rapid growth has not been accompanied by corresponding improvements in urban infrastructure or the promotion of urban culture.
The previous Afghan governments failed to establish coherent policies to manage urban growth, leading to serious problems in the country’s major cities. Despite some road development efforts following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, there remains no comprehensive long-term plan to address the infrastructural and environmental challenges plaguing Afghan cities.
Lack of Effective Urban Management Policies
One of the fundamental problems facing Afghanistan’s cities is the absence of efficient, principle-based urban planning policies. Over the past two decades, urban populations, especially in Kabul, have surged. This population increase called for the expansion of infrastructure and improvement of urban services, but Afghan governments failed to meet these needs. The lack of comprehensive urban planning policies resulted in haphazard, uncoordinated urban projects. Unregulated and illegal construction began across various urban areas, often lacking basic urban standards.
The demand for housing, driven by population growth and migration from rural areas, attracted land speculators and investors who built residential complexes without adhering to urban standards. Many of these structures not only lacked safety and environmental standards but also faced severe infrastructural challenges, including insufficient sewage systems, electricity, and water supply. Residential areas and complexes were often built without considering master urban plans, leading to increased disorder and environmental problems in cities. For instance, much of the city’s wastewater overflows into streets and alleys due to the lack of proper sewage systems, not only polluting the environment but also creating conditions for the spread of diseases.
Currently, the Taliban regime has also not introduced any comprehensive or long-term urban development plans. While the Taliban have initiated several road construction projects in Kabul, demolishing hundreds of houses and shops in the process, they have yet to present a comprehensive plan to address the fundamental issues of Afghanistan’s cities, such as establishing modern infrastructure, improving environmental conditions, and preventing illegal construction.
Environmental Issues Resulting from Unregulated Construction
One of the major challenges of urbanization in Afghanistan is environmental pollution. Illegal and unsupervised construction, without considering environmental and health concerns, has led to the destruction of green spaces, water and air pollution, and the accumulation of waste in public areas. Many newly built residential complexes are not connected to sewage systems, leading to the discharge of wastewater into public roads and drainage ditches, causing severe environmental contamination. The lack of an effective waste collection and disposal system has resulted in garbage piling up in cities, turning these areas into breeding grounds for diseases.
While residents of Afghanistan’s large cities struggle with these issues, the lack of oversight and effective management in municipal departments and relevant agencies has exacerbated these challenges. In recent years, no significant action has been taken to prevent environmental degradation or to optimally manage urban resources, leading to increasing disorder and the further destruction of cities.
The Absence of Urban Culture Among the Urban Population
Another key challenge facing Afghanistan’s cities is the lack of urban culture. Over the past two decades, while wealthy investors have built luxury homes in Kabul and other major cities, they have neglected urban infrastructure development, such as paving streets, maintaining cleanliness in public spaces, and establishing efficient waste management systems. As a result, while luxurious homes stand next to piles of garbage emitting foul odors, there is little sense of responsibility among residents for maintaining a clean environment.
The lack of urban culture means that many city dwellers do not feel responsible for the cleanliness and order of the city and are solely concerned with the upkeep of their homes. This issue has not only led to further environmental destruction and pollution of public spaces but has also hindered the sustainable development of cities.
Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani frequently criticized this situation, stating that Afghan people do not see themselves as the owners of their streets and cities, and feel no responsibility for urban life. This lack of awareness about civic rights and responsibilities has resulted in the neglect of public spaces and the worsening of environmental, traffic, and social issues in cities over time.
Solutions and Future Necessities
To address Afghanistan’s urban problems, the first step is to formulate and implement a comprehensive, coherent urban policy that focuses on infrastructure development, improving public services, and creating educational programs to promote urban culture. The Taliban government or any future Afghan administration should prioritize long-term urban development plans over short-term, sporadic measures and collaborate with international organizations and NGOs to take effective action in this regard.
Additionally, educating and raising awareness among citizens about the importance of maintaining urban order and cleanliness is crucial for the development of cities. Media and civil society organizations can play a key role in promoting urban culture and strengthening citizens’ sense of responsibility. Unless Afghan citizens recognize their role in fostering the development and cleanliness of their cities, urban problems will persist.
Addressing environmental concerns, improving public transportation infrastructure, developing sanitation and sewage systems, and preventing illegal construction are some of the actions that must be prioritized to help Afghanistan’s cities move beyond their current state and toward sustainable development.
