ISLAMABAD, AUG 24 /DNA/ – “Climate-responsive housing cannot be achieved through policies alone; it requires collaboration among communities, experts, institutions and markets to create practical solutions that reflect Pakistan’s realities,” said Dr. Nasir Iqbal, Registrar, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), while emphasizing the need for sustainable and inclusive approaches to address Pakistan’s growing housing challenges.
The remarks came during a roundtable dialogue on “Housing Matters: Climate-Responsive Housing”, organised by PIDE in collaboration with Shehersaaz under the global Urban Thinkers Campus series. The event brought together architects, urban planners, policymakers, academics and local government representatives to explore how Pakistan can develop affordable, sustainable and climate-resilient housing solutions.
Experts highlighted that Pakistan’s housing challenge is not only about building more homes, but about creating housing that is affordable, environmentally responsible and adapted to changing climate realities. Discussions focused on the National Housing Policy, climate resilience, biophilic urbanism, urban infrastructure and the urgent need to transform policy commitments into practical action.
Participants stressed that successful housing reforms require stronger local government capacity, clearly defined institutional responsibilities and rigorous evaluation of pilot projects before expanding them nationwide.
Ms. Almas Shakoor, Executive Director of Shehersaaz, opened the dialogue by sharing her organisation’s work with UN-Habitat and the Adaptation Fund on water facilities and progressive housing programmes in Rawalpindi and Nowshera, highlighting the importance of community-centred approaches.
Dr. Shafaat Nawaz, PhD Graduate in Urban Planning and Manager RASTA, PIDE, presented research on biophilic urbanism and explained how climate-sensitive design approaches, including natural ventilation, appropriate building materials, shading techniques and green spaces, can improve thermal comfort while reducing energy consumption.
A recurring theme of the discussion was the need to reconnect modern housing with Pakistan’s own architectural heritage. Experts highlighted traditional design elements such as courtyards, shaded verandas, thick walls and locally available materials that historically helped communities adapt to local climates. They noted that this indigenous knowledge can provide valuable solutions for contemporary climate-responsive housing.
Ms. Huma Baig of Earthwise highlighted the importance of passive solar design, permaculture and sustainable materials such as rammed earth, while participants also discussed straw-bale construction as a potential affordable and context-appropriate housing solution.
Addressing implementation challenges, Mr. Waseem Bajwa highlighted the Shehersaaz pilot project as an example of translating policy ideas into practical interventions and called for faster progress in climate-responsive urban development, waste management, rainwater harvesting and rooftop gardening.
Dr. Inayat Ullah, Director of PIDE’s Centre for Agriculture, Climate Change and Rural Economy (CACCRE), stressed that pilot projects should not be scaled up without proper impact assessment. He emphasised the importance of evidence-based evaluation and proposed collaborative research initiatives to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of housing interventions.
Experts also discussed the role of infrastructure, energy efficiency and inclusive planning. Ms. Farah Naz, Member CACCRE, PIDE, highlighted the impact of poor drainage systems and waste management challenges, while Engr. Abdul Waheed of NUST’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering called for stronger institutional support and gender-responsive housing policies.
Dr. Anjeela Khurram, Member CACCRE, PIDE, and Dr. Nayyar Hussain from the CPEC Centre of Excellence emphasised the need for improved building energy performance and alignment with the Energy Conservation Building Code. Dr. Muhammad Faisal Ali, Member CACCRE, PIDE, stressed that future climate planning must consider evolving climate patterns rather than relying only on historical data.
The discussion also examined barriers to affordable housing, including rising land prices, construction costs, taxation, land acquisition challenges and the limited participation of communities in housing decisions. Participants noted that climate resilience must extend beyond individual buildings and include neighbourhood-level solutions addressing flooding, drainage, public spaces and urban infrastructure.
The roundtable concluded with a shared understanding that Pakistan’s housing future depends on moving beyond policy discussions towards practical, evidence-based and scalable solutions. Participants emphasised that climate-responsive housing requires stronger coordination among institutions, communities, experts and development partners to create affordable, resilient and sustainable living environments across the country.
