In recent years the city has experienced immense growth and
demand for the houses and high-rise construction has increased tremendously.
Pakistan is among those countries who are most vulnerable to climate change and
recently the city of Karachi has experienced a massive heat wave. It is
important to analyze the climate risk of the city of Karachi and then designing
the buildings according to the risks identified. For different types of climate risks,
different design strategies can be implemented which will make the structures
sustainable and the city can manage the risk of climate change in a more
efficient way.
Karachi is among the world fastest growing cities and the
largest city of Pakistan. Karachi is also among the most populous metropolitan
areas of the word. Karachi is ranked as a beta world city and is a major
financial & industrial hub of Pakistan. In recent years the city has
experienced immense growth and demand for the houses and high-rise construction
has increased tremendously. Pakistan is among those countries who are most
vulnerable to climate change and recently the city of Karachi has experienced a
massive heat wave. As the city of Karachi experiencing growth, it is important
to focus on the climate change and design the buildings in such a way that they
can face risks imposed by the climate change. This report will identify the
possible effects of the climate change and the strategies for designing the
buildings.
Climate Change Risks & their Possible Effects of
Construction of Buildings in an adaption to Climate Change in Karachi
In order to better design and construct buildings in an
adaption to climate change, it is important to know the climate change risks
and how they affect the buildings. After identifying the climate change risks
the adaption strategy can be developed.
Intense Cyclones of Construction of Buildings in an adaption
to Climate Change in Karachi
Due to the climate change, the city of Karachi can
experience intense cyclones. Due to the cyclone’s strains on the material
fixtures, fasteners and cladding can occur. The higher wind speeds can damage
the buildings; therefore, it is important to design buildings after performing
wind tunnel testing [1]
Rising Temperatures
The city of Karachi has experienced heat waves in recent
years and rising temperature has already become a major issue in the city. The
high temperature highly affects the external surface of the building. Due to an
increase in the amount of temperature the thermal performance of the building
is affected. There is a need to design a building in such a way that the
building can tolerate the excessive amount of heat [2]
More Fire Events of Construction of Buildings in an adaption
to Climate Change in Karachi
The climate change can also become a reason for fire
incidents. Due to the decrease in greenery, the buildings in the area may more
likely to catch fire. The heat waves are also responsible for the wildfires
therefore in future it is necessary to design buildings effectively so that the
risk of catching fire can be reduced dramatically [2]
Increase or Decrease in Humidity of Construction of
Buildings in an adaption to Climate Change in Karachi
The increased level of humidity have a significant level of
impact on the buildings and decrease thermal performance. The low humidity
levels are also not good for different structures because they become more
vulnerable to fire. It means that during designing the building the level of
humidity should be considered.
More Frequent Flooding of Construction of Buildings in an
adaption to Climate Change in Karachi
As Karachi is located near the sea the rise in the sea level
can cause flooding in the city. The flood causes severe damage to the
structure. It is important to design buildings that are waterproof and can
handle flood like situation. The city of Karachi experience monsoon season as
well and heavy downpour can cause a flash flood in the city so it is clear that
there is need to focus on the flood issue.
Adaption & Mitigation Strategy for Building Design of
Construction of Buildings in an adaption to Climate Change in Karachi
It is important to analyze the climate risk of the city of
Karachi and then designing the buildings according to the risks
identified. For different types of
climate risks, different design strategies can be implemented which will make
the structures sustainable and the city can manage the risk of climate change
in a more efficient way. Following are the different design strategies through
which buildings can adapt to the climate change.
Insulation of Construction of Buildings in an adaption to
Climate Change in Karachi
The high-performance glaze can help in decreasing the heat
transfer rate. The low emissivity paints is another solution for reducing heat
transfer. The green roof design and photovoltaic glazing are some of the
alternatives through which the issue of increasing heat can be reduced.
Thermal Mass of Construction of Buildings in an adaption to
Climate Change in Karachi
Thermal mass can be used to decrease the variation in
internal temperature. Low heat producing lights and equipment are also the
solution for managing the heat [4]
Cross Ventilation of Construction of Buildings in an
adaption to Climate Change in Karachi
The buildings should be designed in such a way that cross
ventilation can occur. Through cross ventilation, the buildings will remain
cool and can counter the excessive heat. The wind tunnel test should be
performed before the construction of skyscrapers or high rises buildings.
Through this technique, engineers can design such buildings which have the
ability to withstand high-speed winds.
Construction of Multi-Story Buildings of Construction of
Buildings in an adaption to Climate Change in Karachi
The construction of the high rise buildings is the solution
of the mass flooding. Through high rise buildings, many floors of the buildings
will remain protected from flooding. The authorities in the city should focus
on the proper drainage mechanism so that water won’t remain on the roads. As
Karachi is near the sea the heavy storm can cause flooding in the city,
therefore, it is important that buildings have the ability to withstand heavy
flooding [4].
Use of Water-resistant material of Construction of Buildings
in an adaption to Climate Change in Karachi
The construction material of the buildings should be water
resistant so that if the situation of flood occurs the structure of the building
does not become damaged. The water-resistant material will not only make the
building strong and sustainable but also can handle the situation like flooding
[4].
Changing the Design of Construction of Buildings in an
adaption to Climate Change in Karachi
The design of the building should be made by keeping the intensity
of the climate risk in mind. The building should have aerodynamic features so
that it can counter the heavy winds. The design of the windows and glass panels
should be made to withstand heavy rains and winds. The fixtures of the
buildings should be made to counter hazardous situations. The building should
have the proper drainage system and material have the quality of drying in less
period of time. It is important to analyze
the climate conditions because if the climate conditions are not analyzed than
the sustainable buildings cannot be made and then the people will have to face
serious consequences
Conclusion of Construction of Buildings in an adaption to
Climate Change in Karachi
If all the above discussion is summarized than it is evident
that Pakistan is among those countries who are most vulnerable to climate
change and recently the city of Karachi has experienced a massive heat wave. As
the city of Karachi experiencing growth, it is important to focus on the
climate change and design the buildings in such a way that they can face risks
imposed by the climate change. It is important to analyze the climate risk of
the city of Karachi and then designing the buildings according to the risks
identified. For different types of
climate risks, different design strategies can be implemented which will make
the structures sustainable and the city can manage the risk of climate change
in a more efficient way.
Due to the climate change, the city of Karachi can
experience intense cyclones. Due to the cyclones strains on the material
fixtures, fasteners and cladding can occur. The city of Karachi has experienced
heat waves in recent years and rising temperature has already become a major
issue in the city. The high temperature highly affects the external surface of
the building. The high-performance glaze can help in decreasing the heat
transfer rate. The low emissivity paints is another solution for reducing heat
transfer.
References of Construction of Buildings in an adaption to
Climate Change in Karachi
[1]
|
S. M. Abubakar, "Pakistan 7th most vulnerable country
to climate change, says Germanwatch," 2017. [Online]. Available:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1369425.
|
[2]
|
Pakistan Today, "Tropical storm to hit Karachi, Sindh
coastal areas on Wednesday," 2017. [Online]. Available:
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/08/28/heavy-rains-to-lash-sindh-coastal-areas-from-wednesday/.
|
[3]
|
C. Kormann, "How Climate Change Contributed to This
Summer’s Wildfires," 2018. [Online]. Available:
https://www.newyorker.com/science/elements/how-climate-change-contributed-to-this-summers-wildfires.
|
[4]
|
S. J. Wilkinson and H. Remøy, Eds., Building Urban
Resilience Through Change of Use, John Wiley & Sons, 2018.
|