Urban Midrise Residential Living in Pakistan: A Critical Review of Livability, Cultural Adaptation, and Environmental Performance

Abstract

Rapid urbanization, population growth, and diminishing land availability have accelerated the adoption of mid-rise residential buildings (4–12 storeys) as a primary response to Pakistan's urban housing deficit. While these developments offer an efficient strategy for accommodating growing populations in cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, their implications for environmental sustainability, social well-being, and residential quality of life remain insufficiently understood. Drawing on a comprehensive review of secondary sources, including peer-reviewed literature, government reports, policy documents, and credible institutional publications, this study critically examines the multidimensional impacts of mid-rise housing in Pakistan. The findings reveal persistent design and governance challenges, including inadequate natural ventilation and daylighting, weak waste management systems, inconsistent enforcement of building regulations, and insufficient urban infrastructure, all of which compromise environmental performance and occupant satisfaction. The review further demonstrates that the shift from traditional courtyard and extended-family housing to apartment living is reshaping social structures, reducing privacy, weakening intergenerational interaction, and diminishing informal support networks. Environmentally, although mid-rise development contributes to limiting urban sprawl, it has also intensified urban heat island effects, reduced accessible green spaces below recommended standards, and increased reliance on carbon-intensive construction materials and energy systems. The study concludes that improving the livability of Pakistan's mid-rise housing requires an integrated framework combining climate-responsive architectural design, stronger regulatory enforcement, sustainable planning practices, and culturally responsive housing policies that address both environmental performance and residents' evolving social needs.