Globally, climate change and urbanization are increasing water scarcity and water disparities respectively. Yet, humans are using six times more water as they did 100 years ago. The pressure on water resources is expected to increase with the population growth and flourishing middle class by 60% by 2025. In Pakistan, life for 120 million people […]
Being unfair to air
The development of mega infrastructure projects like Peshawar BRT affects air quality and urban environment more than anything else. From rickshaw drivers to aviation industry, school-going children to visiting tourists, everyone complains about economic losses and health issues of poor air quality in Pakistani cities these days. However, the traditional inertia, our national hallmark, has […]
Of mice and men
aj sabho ‘qaido’ ban gaye, husn ishq de chor aj kithon liaaiye labbh ke waaris shah ik hor —Amrita Pritam Another incident of crass brutality has been brought to the limelight in Pakistan after our collective conscience got some respite having Kasur murderer sent to gallows. But this time, our collective conscience may not […]
Future proofing water resources
Although, water fever is high in the country these days due to sustained interest being taken by the Apex Court but there are other avenues than just the ‘dam’ where focus must be diverted as well. First, the tap water, which was abundant and safe to drink a few decades ago, has become unfit for […]
Observing urban development through a futuristic lense
Cities may rightly be called the greatest human invention. They have achieved unprecedented social significance and dynamism in our times. The future of cities will determine the future of mankind on the planet. The quality of life of billions of future urban residents depends on how efficiently the vital resources of food, water and energy […]
A dialogue on urbanisation
The world’s cities are growing, and so are their governance challenges, especially in the global south. Today, more than 60 out of the 84cities with a collective population that exceeds five million, are in developing countries. At least three of them are in Pakistan, while more Pakistani cities are in the queue. These mega cities […]
Adapting to emerging challenges
One of the most powerful pull factors of urbanisation is the availability of ‘better’ educational facilities in cities, which open up floodgates of employment and economic opportunities for individuals and households. However, this is only partially true in Pakistan, where the prevalence of high unemployment rate as a permanent feature dampens people’s interest to pursue […]
South Asia must unite against climate change
“Ignorance is always afraid of Change”, said Jawaharlal Nehru, the founding father of modern-day India. However, ignorance is not afraid of climate change in parts of Pakistan, where beliefs rule over science and policy to deal with hazards and risks. “We don’t know what climate is. Even if there is a change, it is due […]
Return to nature to fight climate change
A hard rain comes quickly The bell of the city On the hill is rung The shepherd cries The hour of choosing has arrived – Al Gore Every living thing depends on Nature, suckles its resources and gets benefit from the ecosystem it offers. However, humans have developed a disproportionate greed for natural resources, disrupting […]
Cities for children
The New Urban Agenda, to which Pakistan is a signatory, ensures a safe urban environment “without fear of violence and intimidation, taking into consideration that women and girls, and children and youth, and persons in vulnerable situations are particularly affected”. The brutal rape and killing of eight-year-old Zainab in Kasur has exposed the extreme vulnerability […]