Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences (PJSS) Vol. 34, No. 2 (2014), pp. 545-561 Assessing the Spatial Distribution and Allocation Gaps of Urban Parks in Bahawalpur City of Punjab, Pakistan Asad Ali Khan, PhD Chairman, Department of Geography The Islamia University of Bahawalpur Email: asadkhaniub@yahoo.com Adila Shafqat Lecturer, Department of Geography The Islamia University of Bahawalpur Email: adila.shafqat@iub.edu.pk Abstract Urban parks are important fragment of amenity green spaces in the cities. These are not only significant tool for the assessment of sustainability of cities but also environmentally, aesthetically, culturally, economically and socially are very important component of urban systems. Providing parks near their neighborhoods is vital for their functions as recreational areas for citizens. Governments of different regions have designed their own classification and typology of parks depending upon prevailing climate, land use, culture and need. Bahawalpur is a developing city of the Punjab province of Pakistan. City is rapidly expanding due to the raise in population resulting from natural growth as well as from rural-urban migration. New private residential colonies are quickly emerging, road network is widening and other activities are expanding hence need for open and green spaces are also increasing. This study on Urban Parks of Bahawalpur aims to provide baseline knowledge about the distribution and allocation gaps of parks and to help in identification of potential areas for such amenity spaces. An extensive field survey was conducted to explore the distribution pattern of parks and ANGSt Model was applied. Serviceability of these parks has been evaluated by employing statistical indices like, number of parks, service area, service population and park area per capita. Findings of the study may contribute in helping the town planners for understanding the demands of new parks regarding this municipal facility and potential areas which are deprived of parks. Keywords: Urban parks, Buffering Technique, Service area, Service Population, Greening I. Introduction The era of concrete is era of the past. Today, cities and communities want to grow smart, grow green and grow sustainable. In today’s world parks and green spaces have been recognized as an important element in people’s quality of life. It is also becoming increasingly accepted that they contribute to the sustainability and adornment of towns