Thesis research submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources & Development

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1993

Pakistani cities, like others all over the world are facing environmental degradation due to rapid urbanization. While work for the rehabilitation of the environment has mostly concentrated on the low-income communities, the potential that the educated and socio economically better-off middle class have is over-looked. Women of this class can play an important role in the restoration of the environment in their capacity as managers of their homes and educators of their children. Literature on middle class women of the Asian developing countries in relation to the environment is scant. This study attempts to describe the socio economic conditions and perceptions, attitudes, awareness and sources of information relating to the environment for the middle class of Lahore, Pakistan, especially the women of this class, based on an opinion survey conducted earlier, and supplemented with additional information collected through observation of the environmental conditions of the city, structured conversations with knowledgeable experts and content analysis of newspapers and television broadcasting. The study revealed that the middle class women of Lahore who are educated housewives and who value traditional norms are only somewhat dissatisfied with the general environment of the city. Their perception, awareness and concern about the widespread ill- disposed solid waste in their surroundings and their satisfaction with the sufficiency of green spaces/parks is based on reality, while regarding the "invisible" aspects like air pollution and the far-off rural environment are based on the kind and extent of information they receive, especially through television. They are not action-oriented but exhibit intention to shoulder some of the financial burden for restoring the environment. In their perceptions, awareness and attitudes women are not very different form men of the same class. It is recommended that awareness raising campaigns undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency, Punjab, should be formulated keeping in mind the socio-economic conditions and life-style of these women and their perceptions, concerns, awareness and information sources.