Abstract:
Urbanization is one of the inventible phenomena in the 21st century. People migrate to urban areas
due to social, cultural, environmental, political and economic reasons. Rapid and unplanned
urbanization lead to huge social, economic, cultural and environmental challenges. Therefore,
sustainable development, more particularly sustainable urbanization is required in order to prevent
adverse effects of rapid and unplanned urbanization. In other words development that meets the needs
of the present generation without compromising future generations to meet their own needs as
emphasized by the Brutl and Commission should be an essential feature in the urbanization process. It
is apparent that urbanization causes serious violation of human rights including social, economic,
cultural, civil and political rights which are indivisible and interdependent. These violations of human
rights can be prevented through sustainable urbanization. In other words, achievement of sustainable
development and sustainable urbanisation guarantees the human rights of people. Also on the other
hand it is argued that rights-based approach is the best method to achieve sustainability. The objective
of this paper is to evaluate as to whether the ‘Human Rights’ is the end result of sustainability or
whether ‘rights-based’ approach is the way to achieve sustainability. In concluding the paper it is
noted that ‘human being’ should be the paramount consideration and central concern of development
and ‘Human Rights’ is the “END” as well as the “MEANS” of sustainable urbanization.
