KARACHI:
Sustainable housing practices are becoming a crucial need of the hour in Pakistan, particularly within private housing societies. These societies play a pivotal role in urban development, necessitating a shift towards climate resilience to mitigate environmental impact.
Amid the fast changing climatic conditions, green building practices are the need of the hour, featuring energy-efficient designs, use of renewable materials, effective waste management systems, as well as green spaces. These methods are aimed at reducing carbon emissions, preserving natural resources, and enhancing biodiversity while also catering to an aesthetic appeal.
Housing societies in Pakistan still predominantly have concrete structures with poor insulation as well as a lack of ventilation planning, all of which create hyper-reliance on mechanical cooling and consequently heighten energy consumption. A glaring lack of green spaces then further exacerbates the inefficiency of such designs, making sustainable practices even more challenging.
Unfortunately, the industry is governed by a profit-driven mindset with developers prioritising maximum land utilization and ignoring environmental needs in the process. A collaborative effort is required between developers, policymakers, and environmental experts in order to promote sustainable housing practices nationwide and ensure the welfare of future generations.
Waseem Malik
Rawalpindi
