KARACHI:
Rapid urbanisation has transformed Pakistan’s major cities, driving economic growth and infrastructure development while simultaneously increasing environmental degradation and urban heat stress. This study compares the environmental conditions of Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad using satellite remote sensing data and quantitative indicators such as vegetation cover, land surface temperature, exposed soil, built-up areas and thermal stress. The analysis reveals significant differences in environmental quality and highlights the need for climate-sensitive urban planning.
Among the three cities, Islamabad demonstrates the healthiest environmental conditions. Its extensive vegetation cover, relatively low land surface temperatures and proximity to the Margalla Hills contribute to a more balanced ecological system and stable microclimate. Planned urban development has helped preserve green spaces, making the city less vulnerable to excessive heat and the urban heat island effect.
Karachi exhibits the greatest environmental degradation. Dense urbanisation, widespread impervious surfaces, rapid industrialization and limited green infrastructure have resulted in the highest levels of thermal stress. The dominance of concrete and asphalt significantly increases land surface temperatures, making Karachi highly susceptible to the urban heat island effect and associated environmental and public health challenges.
Lahore presents a different but equally alarming pattern. Although the city retains moderate vegetation cover, it records the highest extreme land surface temperatures. The findings indicate strong spatial variations in thermal stress caused by dense construction, shrinking green spaces and uneven urban planning, producing localised heat hotspots across the city.
The study concludes that urban heat is not only an environmental issue but also a challenge of governance and sustainable development. Increasing vegetation cover through urban forests, parks, roadside plantations and green roofs, together with the use of reflective building materials, can substantially reduce heat stress and improve urban resilience. These findings provide valuable guidance for policymakers and urban planners, emphasising that integrating green infrastructure into future development strategies is essential for creating healthier, more sustainable and climate-resilient cities in the face of rising global temperatures and climate change.
Fizza Ejaz, Dr Anila Kausar and
Dr Intikhab Ulfat
Karachi
