2018 Reports

Sheltering from a Gathering Storm: Urban Temperature Resilience in Pakistan

Khan, Fawad; Malik, Sharmeen; Rehman, Atta

Rising temperatures in Pakistan’s major cities, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Multan, pose severe health and economic risks, particularly for low-income households living in unplanned or poorly ventilated housing. High thermal mass brick and concrete structures trap heat, increasing nighttime temperatures and preventing recovery from daytime heat stress, while households already spend substantial income on coping measures. Passive shelter modifications such as shading, ventilation, and reflective materials can reduce heat impacts, but cannot fully mitigate the effects of extreme nighttime minima, highlighting the need for broader interventions. Strengthening local capacity, improving basic services, and integrating climate-resilient housing design are critical to reducing vulnerability under projected climate change.