The dynamics of fast urbanization are examined in this paper, with an emphasis on the primary factors that contribute to accelerated urban growth, environmental disruption, and changes in urban pattern. This study was conducted to determine how Islamabad, the nation's capital, has changed as a result of urbanization and urban sprawl. This is because after 1990 onward major changes have been made in the Master Plan due to which Islamabad has experienced accelerated unauthorized growth in all directions and in rural as well as urban area. A qualitative approach based on in-depth interviews conducted face-to-face with local authority members, such as architects, planners, and planning specialists, is employed for this purpose.The planning officers who have got retired from the authority have also been included in the study. In addition, a thorough document analysis is used in this study to present the history of urban development. The results show that ICT Zoning Plan, multiple organizations, lack of institutional framework, lack of proper planning policies, inadequate planning control tools, are the driving forces in addition to the rapid population growth and migration from other cities. It is proposed that the Master plan of Islamabad and related policies for its implementation be reviewed immediately with workable institutional set-up in the Islamabad region in order to regulate unplanned urban growth and to ensure sustainable urban development of the country’s capital.

Keywords: driving forces; urbanization; environmental disruption; structure of the city; ICT Zoning Plan; Multiple Organizations; Institutional framework; planning control tools