This study explores the intricate relationship between land subsidence and urban development in the Quetta and Mastung districts, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for mitigating subsidence impacts on future development. Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province in Pakistan, covers 3,447 km² and has a population of 1.001 million, having experienced significant growth over the past five decades. Mastung district, adjacent to Quetta, spans 3,308 km² with a population of 35,129 according to the 2017 Census. Over the past thirty years, both districts have undergone rapid urbanization across various sectors, including industry, trade, transportation, and real estate. This urban expansion, however, has led to environmental challenges, notably land subsidence, which threatens urban development plans and regional progress. Land subsidence in Quetta and Mastung is driven by several factors: excessive groundwater extraction, the collapse of the traditional Karez system, structural weight on compressible soils, and the natural consolidation of alluvial soils. “InSAR” (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) imagery highlights the extent of this subsidence, showing a maximum Line of Sight (LOS) rate of 15 cm/year in Quetta and approximately 4–5 cm/year in Mastung. These findings emphasize the urgent need to address land subsidence to ensure sustainable urban development in both districts.
