School of Architecture and planning (SAP)

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Browsing School of Architecture and planning (SAP) by Author "Abadat Ullah"

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    Healing above the city
    (UMT.Lahore, 2025) Abadat Ullah
    COVID-19 changed how people experienced cities as an urban population, showing the sheer exposure of metropolitan locations such as Lahore, Pakistan, revealing their inherent vulnerability. Lockdowns restricted movement and socializing, leaving people trapped in their houses, experiencing physical and mental suffering because they had no access to the open space. In this respect, rooftops, which previously were insignificant in terms of service or storage, appeared as a possible refuge with relief, relationship, and aesthetic contribution. This paper examines how rooftops in Lahore were transformed after the pandemic, their ability to improve social, psychological, and environmental health, as well as becoming a sustainable urban asset. The study characterizes rooftops as multi-purpose areas, which could also be used as ecological buffers, as well as social terraces and therapeutic landscapes. The rooftops of Lahore were traditionally of cultural and communal value and gave families and communities a place to meet and unwind as well as celebrate traditional events like Basant. The strains of urbanization, high-rise residence and privatization have curtailed their application, however. The pandemic, in turn, brought back the curiosity about rooftops as an expansion of the domestic and social life, places where people can garden, exercise, and have their emotions replenished. Among the results of the survey and qualitative research, it can be noted that the utilization of the rooftop in post-pandemic Lahore leads to the enhancement of the community, elevated environmental quality, and mental wellness. The results reveal that rooftops play a major role in the sustainability of urban areas through alleviation of heat stress, air quality, and augmentation of green areas in an urban area with severe environmental degradation. On the social level, they promote socialization, inclusivity and bonding to the neighborhood, which is the opposite of vii isolation that was social distance. Mentally, the green cover and open sky offer the feeling of calmness that will decrease anxiety and increase emotional stability. These advantages prove rooftop spaces to be the part of the healthier city life and essential factors of the ecological and social renewal of Lahore. The paper brings to the conclusion that the urban landscape of Lahore can be changed with the help of the rooftops, which used to be redesigned as activational space and social area. The building design can be improved by incorporating rooftop gardens, sitting spots and micro-green networks to increase thermal comfort, biodiversity and social cohesion. These interventions do not only deal with environmental issues, but they also enhance the resilience of communities and the overall welfare. The research suggests the implementation of policies of rooftop utilization at the Lahore urban development system to ensure the realization of their potential. Green rooftop incentives, technical outlines on safe and sound design, and popularization can help motivate people and developers to take part in the conversion of rooftops. There should be a collaboration between the architects, planners, and the policymakers so that the rooftops are no longer passive features of the architecture but rather dynamic aspects of the urban life. Finally, this paper makes the rooftop a new frontier of the sustainable urban design- an intersection of ecology, culture and community. Rooftops in the post-pandemic Lahore are a symbol of adaptation and hope, and serve as a blueprint to build a city, which is more health-focused and inclusive and environmentally balanced. Making these unused spaces workable green spaces will allow Lahore to proceed to a stronger, more connected, and habitable urban future.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Healing above the city
    (UMT, Lahore, 2025) Abadat Ullah
    COVID-19 changed how people experienced cities as an urban population, showing the sheer exposure of metropolitan locations such as Lahore, Pakistan, revealing their inherent vulnerability. Lockdowns restricted movement and socializing, leaving people trapped in their houses, experiencing physical and mental suffering because they had no access to the open space. In this respect, rooftops, which previously were insignificant in terms of service or storage, appeared as a possible refuge with relief, relationship, and aesthetic contribution. This paper examines how rooftops in Lahore were transformed after the pandemic, their ability to improve social, psychological, and environmental health, as well as becoming a sustainable urban asset. The study characterizes rooftops as multi-purpose areas, which could also be used as ecological buffers, as well as social terraces and therapeutic landscapes. The rooftops of Lahore were traditionally of cultural and communal value and gave families and communities a place to meet and unwind as well as celebrate traditional events like Basant. The strains of urbanization, high-rise residence and privatization have curtailed their application, however. The pandemic, in turn, brought back the curiosity about rooftops as an expansion of the domestic and social life, places where people can garden, exercise, and have their emotions replenished. Among the results of the survey and qualitative research, it can be noted that the utilization of the rooftop in post-pandemic Lahore leads to the enhancement of the community, elevated environmental quality, and mental wellness. The results reveal that rooftops play a major role in the sustainability of urban areas through alleviation of heat stress, air quality, and augmentation of green areas in an urban area with severe environmental degradation. On the social level, they promote socialization, inclusivity and bonding to the neighborhood, which is the opposite of vii isolation that was social distance. Mentally, the green cover and open sky offer the feeling of calmness that will decrease anxiety and increase emotional stability. These advantages prove rooftop spaces to be the part of the healthier city life and essential factors of the ecological and social renewal of Lahore. The paper brings to the conclusion that the urban landscape of Lahore can be changed with the help of the rooftops, which used to be redesigned as activational space and social area. The building design can be improved by incorporating rooftop gardens, sitting spots and micro-green networks to increase thermal comfort, biodiversity and social cohesion. These interventions do not only deal with environmental issues, but they also enhance the resilience of communities and the overall welfare. The research suggests the implementation of policies of rooftop utilization at the Lahore urban development system to ensure the realization of their potential. Green rooftop incentives, technical outlines on safe and sound design, and popularization can help motivate people and developers to take part in the conversion of rooftops. There should be a collaboration between the architects, planners, and the policymakers so that the rooftops are no longer passive features of the architecture but rather dynamic aspects of the urban life. Finally, this paper makes the rooftop a new frontier of the sustainable urban design- an intersection of ecology, culture and community. Rooftops in the post-pandemic Lahore are a symbol of adaptation and hope, and serve as a blueprint to build a city, which is more health-focused and inclusive and environmentally balanced. Making these unused spaces workable green spaces will allow Lahore to proceed to a stronger, more connected, and habitable urban future.