Excepting the period 1941-51, the urbanity level NWFP registered continuous rise during the 20th century. Compared
with 12.7% in 1901 the corresponding figure for urban population was 17% in 1998 and is estimated to be over 18%.
currently, in the year 2006, and the level is expected to rise fast in the future due to natural growth of urban population
and acceleration in rural-urban migration owing to various push and pull factors operating in the province. While the old
urban centres have become more populous, a number of new ones have emerged in the province. The number of
town/cities increased from 28 in 1951 to 55 in 1998 and is expected to increase further. Bulk of the urban population is
concentrated in ten cities, among which Peshawar city is on top accounting for 33% in 1998. The relatively better
developed regions of the province have also a relatively higher proportion of urban population; Peshawar valley region
62.7%, Malakand region 10.5%; Hazara region 10.1%; and Southern region 16.7%. The process of urbanization has on
the whole gone on haphazardly and proper urban planning has been conspicuous but by only its absence with the
consequence that the urban population is faced with numerous problems in all spheres-housing, health, education,
sanitation, transport, security, jobs etc. which would increase with time if proper planning is not done. Alongside
rigorous urban development planning so as to control the haphazard urban sprawl, it is imperative to accelerate the pace
of development in general and rural development in particular, and ensure a wider and more equitable distribution of
development outlays as that would help minimize push factors caused rural-urban migration, reduce rush on the major
urban centres, lead to wider spatial distribution of urban population, more urban centres, and render urban development
control easier than at present.