In Karachi, as in many other Third World cities, the
formal planning sector does not cater to the socio-physical infrastructure needs of low
income informal settlements. Concurrent with this failure on the part of government
agencies is the growing consciousness among people that it is their right to have a decent
place to live along with basic amenities.As a result of this consciousness, people are increasingly forcing government agencies to deliver and also undertaking development on a self-help basis. The stories in this book have been told by activists and community workers from low and lower middle income settlements of Karachi, at forums organized by the Urban Resource Centre. They provide insights into the collective struggle of low income communities for accessing basic amenities and highlight the process of change that has been initiated at the grassroots level as a result.