How did foreign aid contribute to Kabul’s growth in the 1950s?

In the 1950s, Kabul experienced significant growth, with its population reaching approximately 200,000 people. During this period, foreign aid played a crucial role in the city's development by providing the resources necessary to establish basic infrastructure and public facilities for its residents.1

Beginning in the mid-1950s, Afghanistan initiated economic development plans supported by extensive foreign assistance, primarily from the Soviet Union and the United States. This aid was instrumental in financing more than four-fifths of government investment and development expenditures. These funds facilitated the construction of essential projects, including:2

• Infrastructure: The building of roads, dams, and power plants.2
• Industrialization: The establishment of various industrial enterprises, such as textile mills and mechanized production plants.3
• Social Services: The broadening of education and the development of public facilities.2

This influx of external support helped modernize the city and provided a foundation for the urban expansion that characterized the era.12