Urban green spaces are an essential element of development planning which provides multiple benefits to society. This study was carried out in an explorative manner to examine the spatial distribution of urban green spaces and develop an air quality index map in Lahore, Pakistan. It also investigates the satisfaction level among residents of ten administrative zones for maintenance, security, plantation, cleanliness, and availability of parks. For this purpose, a total of 1110 questionnaires, 111 from each zone were filled by people residing in the respective sector for more than 5 years. The results showed that green spaces had acquired 5% (88 sq. km) of the total space of Lahore, with the most land area (27.22 sq. km) available in the Iqbal zone and the least (1.22 sq. km) in the Wagha zone. The analysis revealed that 35% area of the Gulberg zone includes green spaces. There is a positive correlation between green spaces and air quality in different zones of Lahore. Walking is the most preferred mode to visit green spaces, as 57% indicated that nearest parks are within 10 min walking radius. People residing in Gulberg and Cantonment had overall high satisfaction and those living in Ravi and Shalamar zone were least satisfied with all services. Recommendations include improvement in the park management system, design of new planning standards, ensuring accessibility, and enhanced security mechanisms.

Livability is a concept that has various dimensions and is used to measure the Quality of Life (QOL). In the context of Pakistan, most of the cities/neighbourhoods are not planned to look like livable cities/neighbourhoods. Lahore, the capital of Punjab, was ranked at 199th position in 2015 as per Economist Intelligent Unit’s (EIU) livability ranking. This research article focused on a planned neighbourhood (Quaid-e-Azam Town (Township) Scheme) to assess the perception of residents’ regarding livability in their area. A framework of research has been developed based on seven indicators of livability: Housing, Neighbourhood, Transportation, Environment, Health, Engagement, and Opportunities. A total 998 respondents were surveyed for each indicator and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The analysis showed that Health and Environmental indicators are at the lowest level as compared to other indicators of livability. Moreover, livability can be improved if road networks are made efficient and recreational activities are increased as livable neighbourhoods can help to improve the QOL of residents, which is one of the determining factors in achieving liveability in general and QOL as whole.

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The phenomenon of commercialization of residential properties is taking place rapidly. Although conversion of landuse from residential to commercial in built-up areas is not new in developing countries but planned housing schemes also start experiencing this land-use conversion, and now are no more predominantly residential. Furthermore, declaring a road commercial by the competent authorities, even without taking necessary improvements in infrastructure and consent of the community, further exaggerate the problem. The negative consequences of this phenomenon have a severe effects on residential areas and include environmental problems, traffic congestion, noise, and air pollution, and affect the residential character of the area in negative manner for which they were initially developed. The aim of the study is to describe briefly about remits of commercialization polices in Lahore and then to assess the functionality of commercialized residential roads through assessment criteria based upon the indicators established to assess capacity of road infrastructure before declaring it commercial. This includes road management plan, details of road network with condition of road, its width, Pedestrian and Public transport facilities, structure, including the primary, mixed-use, and secondary nodes. Perception of the users and residents regarding the change in the use of land is also weighed up. The findings of this research will draw the attention of responsible authorities to improve the design guidelines, which are essential to consider before commercializing the residential roads.