Pakistan is affected by floods of various intensities ranging between high, moderate and low levels. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of 2022 flood events in Pakistan. This aim will be achieved by analyzing the relationship between the 2022 floods and the situation of affected communities, with a focus on gender roles. The study assessed the differences in vulnerability to floods between men vs. women by examining their socio-economic conditions before and after flood 2022. Multiple field surveys were conducted for data collection, and a questionnaire was used to learn about the current and past conditions of the people living in the villages around the city of Khipro, Sindh, located downstream of the Indus River, majorly affected by floods in terms of lives and livelihoods. Correlations, and cross-tabulations were used to analyze the demographic characteristics and socioeconomic status of communities. Focusing on the period before and after the 2022 floods and the difference in vulnerability, the results of the study indicated that despite having better access to disaster preparedness information and resources, societal norms and mobility issues make women more vulnerable. Therefore, it is important to focus on gender-sensitive disaster preparedness and response efforts. The study proposes a few measures to improve resilience and promote sustainable development in flood-affected areas.

This study examines the environment of one of the largest and most recently built shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan. The aim of this study is to assess how building design, familiarity with the mall, and past experiences of victimization influence visitors’ perceived safety. Using site inspections guided by crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) principles and an online survey, the study identifies factors affecting visitors’ perceived safety. Findings indicate that enhancing surveillance, territoriality, and access control in well-designed and maintained spaces can impact levels of perceived safety. These findings underscore the importance of surveys, in combination with site inspections, in providing a comprehensive tool for understanding and improving safety in commercial complexes.

Crime impacts residential neighborhoods not only through the loss of life and property but also by instilling a widespread fear among residents. To combat this fear, physical security measures like safety locks, gates, and high perimeter walls have proven effective in both developed and developing nations. This trend has led to the increased popularity of gated communities in Pakistan as a preferred housing choice. In addition to encouraging micro-segregation, these developments also attract a large number of residents. In order to better understand the differences in residents’ fear of crime in relation to their health and socio-economic status, this paper compares residential housing schemes in Quetta, Pakistan (gated and non-gated). Surveys and on-site observations in four different residential areas of the city underpin the methodology. The results suggest that past experiences of crime victimization strongly affect feelings of safety in both gated and non-gated communities. The study highlights the complex relationship between the perception of safety, health and well-being, socio-economic status, and the type of community, highlighting how these factors collectively influence respondents’ experiences and create micro-segregation.

This research explores the dynamics of urban informality and space appropriation at pedestrian bridges in Islamabad, Pakistan, offering new insights into how informal practices reshape the utilization and value of urban spaces. By focusing on both formal and informal uses, the study reveals a significant gap between the intended and actual uses of these bridges. Through observation and analysis of three key bridges, the study examines how informal activities–such as vending, resting, and social interactions–transform pedestrian bridges into multifunctional spaces. This research also uncovers informal modifications and analyzes the role of urban governance in shaping these practices. The findings contribute novel insights into urban informality in the Global South by focusing on Islamabad’s pedestrian bridges, an area that has received limited scholarly attention. The study is particularly valuable for urban planners and policymakers in guiding the design of more inclusive urban environments in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The rapid urbanization process is majorly associated with extreme climate change and many other urban issues that pose new challenges in terms of urban resilience. Bold climate action is one of the main principles addressed by UN-Habitat in Sustainable Development. This problem demands an immediate reduction in carbon footprints. One way of doing this is to revive the traditional climate-controlling techniques/natural ventilation methods in architecture. Windcatchers have been used as a passive technique for ventilation for many centuries. The windcatchers of Hyderabad (Mangh/Hawadani/Badgeers/Malqaf) were a dominant identity of vernacular architecture. This article aims to understand the traditional methods of dealing with climate-controlling techniques in architecture by (1) studying windcatchers in both vernacular and modern buildings in the context of Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan by (2) understanding the user’s perspective about windcatchers. A comparison of four buildings in Hyderabad, Pakistan, was performed. The findings of this study show that old Windcatchers in Hyderabad are in dilapidated condition and are found insignificant because they are not fulfilling the current needs of the users looking for modernized solutions. However, newly built windcatchers are well appreciated by users because of their well-functioning mechanism in relation to the local climate and current living requirements. The performance study of windcatchers conducted in this research represents an initial step towards developing a more extensive guide for utilizing windcatchers in passive cooling systems for buildings located in hot regions.

Urban metabolism (UM) is the sum of processes for which cities mobilize, consume, and transform their resources for built environments to function effectively. It consists of interrelated processes working at various urban levels forming an intri-cate socio-environmental network to achieve urban sustainability, including adap-tive reuse of heritage buildings. As significant components of historic urban areas, heritage buildings are adapted for appropriate functions to prolong their lifespans. This standard practice is an ideal solution for reducing adverse environmental impacts of the construction industry given that new buildings consume energy and resources and have large carbon footprints. Moreover, the adaptive reuse of heritage build-ings increases socio-cultural viability and promotes eco-friendly environments. This practice of rehabilitation and reuse has been studied vastly. However, the relation-ship between urban metabolism and heritage buildings from an ecological perspec-tive has not largely gained scholarly attention. Hence, this chapter explores this relationship by advocating that reuse and conservation are ecological principles, and that adopting existing infrastructure such as historical buildings and increasing their life cycles contributes toward desirable urban metabolism. This brings down cost and time of construction, requires less resources, retains a set of materials for longer periods for metabolic processes, and promotes environmental and social sustainability. The chapter reviews relevant literature and specific adaptive reuse case studies in urban areas around the globe including restoration and redevelopment of singular or multiple heritage buildings that display significant positive environmental impacts such as addressing resource depletion and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The chapter also highlights the ecological aspect of a built environment concerning sustainable supply of materials and energy required for a desired urban metabolism. Based on this, the research builds a case for conservation and adap-tive reuse to be employed as an important indicator for urban metabolism through maintenance and management of historical urban built environments.

Globally, the frequency, regularity, and severity of floods are all increasing due to climate change, and climate change's effects on developing nations are significant. In 2022, the worst floods in Pakistan's recorded history occurred. One-fifth of the nation experienced significant destruction, which led to significant economic losses and fatalities. However, the resilience of the local population to withstand the effects of calamities has not received enough attention in rural villages along the Indus River. This descriptive cross-sectional research examined how three communities in high-risk locations in Khipro, Sanghar District, Sindh, Pakistan, perceived and responded to flood dangers based on their past experiences. A survey was conducted with a total of 50 individuals in three villages. To measure flood risk perception, three variables—awareness of floods, concerns about floods, and preparedness—were used. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and Pearson's correlation were applied to find correlations and differences across variables. The study adds valuable knowledge about how people perceive the risk of flooding and how factors like age, education, differences in monthly income levels, low-risk awareness, and preparedness influence that perception in rural areas. This study's findings can be used to evaluate flood risks and adopt local adaptation strategies in flood prone areas.

With the rising global temperatures, developing countries are one of the most adversely affected countries by climate change. Furthermore, changes in lifestyle and unsustainable ways of development have resulted in a shift away from passive strategies in the construction industry, which contribute to excessive energy consumption. This demands immediate action to use passive strategies and one of the most widely used passive strategies is shading devices, which can significantly lower the indoor temperature and give the structure the most efficient energy performance. Shading devices were a dominant identity of traditional architecture in Pakistan; however, it has been evident during the past decade the use of such devices has become obsolete due to modernized solutions. This study aims to examine the performance and effectiveness of shading devices in terms of heat gain and daylight levels in residential areas. A comparative case study methodology has been used. The fixed overhanging shading devices of six residential units in Mansehra City, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, have been used. Sun angles are calculated through the SketchUp tool Curic Sun to analyze and determine the performance of overhanging in both summers and winters. This article reveals south shading devices as an essential part of houses built before 2,000 in Mansehra City. Though, houses built after 2,000 do not consider using south shading devices to maximize energy use. This study emphasizes considering the type, design, and use of shading devices according to the building’s orientation to improve building performance and energy efficiency.

The morphological characteristics of a city have a direct relationship with the humanactivities happening in the public spaces. If, however, the public spaces become unsafe,people may avoid them. On the other hand, safe public spaces allow free movementfor everyone, which is the most basic human need and a crucial part of socialsustainability. By focusing on the present-day realities that create the link betweenthe implications for ownership and the provision of the public spaces, this researchaims to understand the nature of the morphological characteristics of cities in theGlobal North and South and its impact on and association with fear of crime. Two casestudy streets in Stockholm, Sweden, and Karachi, Pakistan, are selected to establisha hypothesis. The study draws upon comprehensive data through a questionnairesurvey and morphological analysis. The results suggest that the selected streetsin the Global North and South show a similar morphological structure in termsof street layout, land use, plot patt erns, and heights of the buildings but diff erencein pedestrian fl ows. In relation to the fear of crime, both streets show parks as riskyplaces to visit at night. The results also show some diff erences in terms of people’sresponses to the fear of crime in relation to the city’s morphology. For instance,people avoid vacant plots and petrol pumps in Karachi, while entrances to metrostations and hidden corners of buildings are considered risky places in Stockholm.