ALIFYA SOHAIL: Your journey from an architectural designer to an urban researcher is fascinating. What inspired you to transition into climate-focused urban research, particularly in Pakistan?

NAMRA KHALID: My journey into climate-focused urban research was not something I had planned from the start. I completed my undergraduate studies in architectural design in New York where I developed a strong foundation in environmental technology. The shift to climate-focused work happened when I returned to Karachi in 2020, right in the middle of the monsoon season. The city was in chaos due to severe flooding. Seeing my hometown struggling with such extreme climate events, I felt an urgent need to contribute. The experience was a stark reminder that the climate crisis is not a distant threat. It was the catalyst that pushed me to transition from architectural design to urban research with a focus on climate resilience in the context of Pakistan.

AS: Karachi Cartography emphasises rethinking urban spaces for better climate resilience. What has been the impact of this initiative?

NK: Karachi Cartography is driven by the curiosity to understand the city’s natural systems and how they have evolved by charting Karachi’s urban landscape and analysing historical and contemporary maps. This knowledge is crucial for developing climate-resilience strategies. While it’s still early days, the impact of Karachi Cartography has been primarily educational so far. As we expand our work into more vulnerable areas, the goal is to use this knowledge to advocate for better infrastructure and planning that can protect these communities from the worst impacts of climate change.

AS: Mapping and cartographic analysis are central to your work. Why do you believe this approach is essential in addressing climate issues in urban settings?

NK: Cartography or map-making is an essential tool for understanding spatial dynamics, especially in complex urban environments like Karachi. Think of it this way: you wouldn’t trust a doctor who prescribes treatment without conducting a thorough diagnosis. Similarly, we cannot develop effective urban climate strategies without understanding the city’s layout, natural watercourses and historical land use. Maps provide a visual and analytical foundation that allows us to see how different elements of the city interact with one another. This approach is crucial for identifying vulnerabilities and designing interventions that are effective and sustainable. In Pakistan, where historical maps are scarce and often fragmented, our work in cartographic analysis becomes even more important, as it helps piece together a coherent picture of the urban landscape.

AS: You were recognised as one of the World Around’s 25 under 25 Climate Designers and you won the Young Climate Visionary Prize. In your journey so far, what have been the most rewarding developments?

NK: Being recognised on a global platform has been both an honour and a responsibility, especially as a woman under 25 in a field that is not widely understood in Pakistan. When I first started Karachi Cartography, I realised that many of our city’s historical maps were scattered all over the world – in places like America, Czechia and Japan. Ironically, these maps were not easily accessible in Pakistan, where they belong and where they are most needed. A particular map kept coming up during my research – a city-level map of Karachi and the oldest known map of its kind. But there was a twist – it was housed in the National Library of Spain and was mislabelled as a map of a remote area in Iran. I managed to gather enough evidence to argue that this mislabelled map was a map of Karachi and wrote about my findings in an article for Dawn’s Eos. To my surprise, the Spanish ambassador read my article and reached out. Initially, we focused on having the map relabelled. After I presented the evidence and arguments, the ambassador not only succeeded in correcting the label but went a step further – he arranged for the map to be returned to Pakistan.

AS: How do you integrate global best practices into your work in Pakistan?

NK: While global best practices are valuable, I believe that climate solutions must be deeply rooted in the local context. For instance, we have partnered with organisations like Peta Bencana from Indonesia to develop real-time disaster mapping tools that we are adapting for Karachi. However, what works in one part of the world may not be directly applicable here. The key is to blend global knowledge with local insight so that the solutions we propose are relevant and effective for the specific conditions in Karachi and other parts of Pakistan.

AS: How does your work with Karachi Cartography address issues of socio-climatic justice?

NK: Our work is centred on understanding how climate change impacts different communities, particularly those who are marginalised by socioeconomic inequalities. In many of these communities, people may not use the term ‘climate change,’ but they are acutely aware of its effects, such as increased heatwaves and flooding. One of the challenges we face is communicating the urgency of climate action in a way that resonates with these communities, many of whom are more concerned with immediate survival. By involving them in our mapping processes and using their knowledge to inform our research, we can ensure that the solutions we propose are equitable and address the specific needs of those most vulnerable.

AS: What are the most pressing urban climate challenges facing Karachi today, and how can urban planning tackle these issues effectively?

NK: Karachi faces multiple, intertwined climate challenges, but I would say the most pressing are flooding due to inadequate drainage, heatwaves exacerbated by urban sprawl and the lack of green spaces. Urban planning in Karachi has historically been reactive rather than proactive, often addressing symptoms rather than root causes. To tackle these issues, urban planning needs to integrate natural systems into the design and development process. This means protecting and restoring natural watercourses, expanding green infrastructure and ensuring that new developments are climate-resilient.

AS: How do you balance your roles as a researcher, designer and activist, and what advice would you give to young professionals aspiring to make a positive impact on climate change in their communities?

NK: Balancing these roles is definitely challenging, but I see them as interconnected rather than separate. As a researcher, I gather the data and insight needed to inform my design work, and as a designer, I create solutions that are grounded in that research. The activism comes as part of advocating for these solutions and ensuring that they are implemented. My advice to young professionals is to find your unique intersection of skills and passion – there is always a way to contribute to climate action. We must collaborate and build networks, as the challenges we face are too complex for any one person to solve alone.

AS: What are your future plans for Karachi Cartography and other initiatives?

NK: Our goal is to continue expanding our research and mapping efforts across Pakistan. My focus is on launching AafatInfo.pk, a real-time disaster information app that harnesses the power of crowdsourcing to share on-the-ground conditions during natural disasters to enhance humanitarian response. We are testing the beta version for urban flooding in Karachi and plan to cover major disasters across Pakistan. Ultimately, our vision is to create a network of proactive and risk-reduction initiatives; mapping urban environments and facilitating timely data exchanges between citizens and the government. As climate challenges escalate, our work must become more adaptive and innovative to protect and empower Pakistan’s most vulnerable.

For feedback: aurora@dawn.com