LAHORE: The Indus Conclave 2025 at Alhamra Hall hosted a thought-provoking session titled “Mapping Tomorrow: Community, Climate Resilience and the Future of Cities.” Leading experts in sustainability, architecture, and urban design came together to discuss how communities can reshape cities while facing mounting challenges of climate change, rapid urban growth, and environmental decline. The session highlighted the urgent need to build cities that are resilient, inclusive, and deeply rooted in cultural and ecological awareness.
Environmental architect Sunela Jayawardene shared insights from her pioneering work in Sri Lanka, where she blends cultural traditions with eco-conscious design. She spoke passionately about rewilding practices, which involve restoring biodiversity by planting indigenous species that naturally cool the environment, store water, and maintain ecological balance. According to her, even small-scale urban efforts like balcony gardens or green rooftops can collectively transform cities into more livable and sustainable habitats, showing how conservation and design can coexist.
Pakistani architect Raza Ali Dada highlighted the pressing urban challenges in Lahore, especially along its historic Mall Road. He emphasized that reclaiming and reviving public spaces is crucial to restoring community life in cities. Dada also reflected on his work with the Lahore Biennale Foundation, where art-led interventions revived heritage sites such as Bradlaugh Hall and YMCA. These efforts, he argued, not only preserved architectural history but also created opportunities for public engagement and collective ownership of urban heritage.
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Adding a research-driven perspective, Dr Sadaf Sultan from the University of Sussex explained how maps shape power and representation within cities. She described maps not just as geographic tools but as political instruments that can either marginalize or empower communities. Her participatory mapping projects in informal settlements of Karachi, Dhaka, and Freetown allowed local youth to document vital infrastructure and advocate for change. She stressed that inclusive mapping practices can give underrepresented voices a stronger role in shaping their urban futures.
Meanwhile, architect and researcher Marvi Mazhar focused on Karachi’s coastal ecology and urban development. She underscored how unregulated urban expansion has put ecological systems under threat and stressed the importance of design approaches that balance environmental preservation with community needs. By integrating visual culture, spatial advocacy, and ecological sensitivity, her projects demonstrate how urban planning can respect both nature and people.
The session concluded with a shared vision from all panelists: tomorrow’s cities must move beyond technological advancement alone. Instead, they must embrace ecological awareness, social inclusivity, and cultural continuity to remain sustainable. The experts agreed that collaboration between citizens, architects, policymakers, and artists is essential to building urban futures that are not only resilient but also reflective of human and environmental values.