Urbanization and Climate Change
When it comes to the climate and geography of Pakistan, this land is blessed with great variations in seasons. Pakistan experiences cold winters and hot summers with considerable humidity. But the rise in temperature over the past few years, coupled with drastic climate change, has opened new doors of problems for Pakistan.
The rising heat indexes are a testimony to the climate crisis in Pakistan. In the midst of it, our country is facing a growing threat: the urban island effect (UIE). In this phenomenon, urban areas have higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. The apparent difference between rural and urban areas boils down to how efficiently the environment and the surroundings absorb the temperature.
Thanks to development and increased human activity, urban areas are more susceptible to the urban island effect, which can turn out to be a disaster for Pakistan if left unattended. In this article, we are going to delve deeper and get to the root cause of the problem and what measures we can take to handle this issue before it reaches full-blown heights.
The Underlying Causes of Urban Heat Island
We understand why this phenomenon is happening. It all boils down to urbanization which leads to the trapping of heat in the ground. Thanks to this, our temperature is on an all-time increase and showing no signs of stopping. Moreover, the construction of buildings closer to each other leaves no room for heat to escape and for the cities to cool down, leading to high temperatures. Urban areas are vulnerable due to human activity and industrial growth.
According to the UNDP, Pakistan has the highest rate of urbanization in the South Asian region; by 2025, half of its population will live in cities. So we can expect that this issue is just the start and can gain more intense momentum in the near future. On the other hand, due to the lack of rain, vegetation, and vaporization, the cities give off the impression of virtual urban deserts. This occurrence is more noticeable during the winter and summer seasons.
Urbanization in places such as Lahore and Multan has resulted in the conversion of agricultural land into commercial zones and housing developments. As a result, vegetation has taken a back seat, contributing to a rise in temperature. The chopping of massive mango farmland in Multan is the most visible example in front of us.
In Pakistan, the most impacted area is Karachi. It is a financial hub, accommodating more than 20 million people. Due to the large number of people and the urbanization of the land, climate change is very evident. Another factor that further makes the situation worse is the air depression from the Arabian Sea. All these things combine to increase the UHI effect, affecting people and their living conditions.
The Scorching Reality of Urban Heat Islands
The impact of the UHI effect is enormous and it is predicted to get worse with each passing day. Karachi Urban Lab published a report in 2022 in which it found out that the nighttime temperature in Karachi is constantly on the rise. The report claimed that the temperature has seen an increase of 2.6 °C compared to the last six decades. It is all due to the UHI effect and the government is not paying any heed to it. They further warned that things can take a more catastrophic turn if the problem is not addressed or taken care of.
While there is no doubt that Karachi is facing a more serious situation, the other cities are not far behind in this race. A study published in 2022 focused on Lahore and indicated that the city’s urban temperature has seen a rise from 1.72 °C in 1990 to 2.41 °C in 2020. The study further breaks it down by saying that this is the fastest rise in temperature they have seen since the 1990s. If the same situation continues, Lahore might take the spot of Karachi or give it tough competition at the very least.
Cities like Lahore, Karachi, Jacobabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad are showing extreme increases in temperature, and scientists are comparing them to burning ovens. There is a high chance that the government could have easily handled the situation but there is one more thing that is adding fuel to it. Pakistan’s population is on the rise and the density in the cities has aggravated the issue. The Pakistani cities have expanded by 1.5–5.87% between 2001 and 2022, while population growth ranged from 51.6–125.5%. These numbers are enough to see that population growth is leading towards more dense cities. As there are no mechanisms for the heat to escape, it remains trapped in the ground, propelling the urban island effect into full swing.
The Cascading Consequences of Urban Heat Islands
When it comes to the consequences of the UHI effect, we tend to underestimate it. However, we need to understand that the results can be major and have significant impacts on people and the environment. Extreme temperatures paired with humidity can cause heat-related illnesses and, in the worst-case scenario, widespread mortality. The 2015 heatwave in Karachi is the worst example of a heatwave that resulted in the deaths of many people. The current situation is not getting better. In 2024, Civil Hospital Karachi admitted 267 people due to heatstroke, out of whom 12 lost their lives.
Let’s keep the human factor aside and talk about the environment and infrastructure. During the summer, the demand for energy increases to the highest level, which leads to more greenhouse emissions and air pollution. The Arabian Sea also contributes a lot to the problem by putting stress on aquatic life. All these factors further exacerbate the situation. It seems like we are moving in a circle where everything seems to be out of place with no correct mechanisms.
The increasing demand for energy and the ever-increasing UHI effect have led to the downfall of many sectors, including industries, commerce, education, and many more. The best solution in sight is to take inspiration from other countries and study their combat strategies. For instance, a study in Los Angeles, California, estimated that mitigating the UHI effect could save the city close to $100 million per year. Pakistan can also take the initiative and run programs to overcome this problem or at least try to control it for the time being.
Combating the Urban Heat Island Effect
In Pakistan, we tend to underestimate the problems we are facing unless they take the form of the next catastrophe standing right at our doors. Although the issue has reached the heights of severity, we can still mitigate it and get out of this crisis. The Pakistani government needs to come up with a multi-pronged approach, focusing on both long-term and short-term solutions.
One such solution is to focus on the reflectivity of urban surfaces. We can take simple steps like using light-colored and reflective materials on the roofs, roads, and buildings. This can be the first step towards addressing this issue. A sustainable lifestyle will work wonders for us, like introducing carpooling to reduce the emissions from vehicles that are a major contributor to climate change.
Tree plantations are necessary to combat this issue. Although it is a long-term goal, we need to take matters into our own hands so we can reap the fruits early on instead of waiting for the right time. When talking about long-term goals, urban planning and policies, climate-conscious designs, and sustainability will go a long way. Many countries in Europe are focused on green infrastructure, such as green roofs, to mitigate this problem.
India has become a great example for us in this area. The project “The Smart Cities Mission” is an initiative to upgrade 100 selected cities in India so that people do not have to relocate to urban regions for better facilities. In this way, the population can remain under control, leading to a reduced urban island effect. Pakistan can also take such initiatives to ensure good results.
It’s necessary to keep in mind that Pakistan is among the top ten countries that are most vulnerable to climate change. The government needs to set aside their differences and find common ground to address this crisis. The think tanks and research centers should conduct a comprehensive study on the urban heat island effect and help the government come up with ideal and more practical policies.
Conclusion
There is no speck of doubt that the urban heat island effect is a growing threat to our cities and can invite serious consequences. As the country is most vulnerable to climate change, it should be the top priority to address this problem. The time to act is now. The cities of Pakistan must adopt these innovative solutions and go for green infrastructure to combat the urban heat islands. The stakes are high, but the potential rewards are immense. It is time for Pakistan to confront this hidden threat and emerge as a leader in urban climate resilience.
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