Political Instability and the Treadmill of Production: Sustainable Urban Processes in Kabul City

Abstract

Political instability and weak institutional governance have exacerbated environmental degradation in Kabul City, where the relentless treadmill of production continues to strain natural resources. This study examines how weak institutional governance, conflict, corruption, and economic pressures contribute to unsustainable environmental practices, intensifying pollution, deforestation, and resource depletion. As political instability weakens institutional capacities, regulatory enforcement diminishes, allowing industrial and urban expansion to proceed unchecked. The treadmill of production, driven by economic imperatives, further accelerates environmental harm, prioritizing short-term economic gains over long-term sustainability through unregulated urban growth, resource depletion, and pollution. This cycle of degradation not only threatens ecological balance but also undermines public health and quality of life. However, using a qualitative approach that integrates document analysis and expert interviews, this study explores potential sustainability pathways, emphasizing the need for robust governance, policy reforms, and community engagement to mitigate environmental damage in conflict-affected urban areas. The study contributes novel insights into how politically fragile states can reorient urban development towards sustainability, offering practical recommendations for policymakers, NGOs, and local communities.