By Muhammad Arshad
Capital city of Pakistan, Islamabad is grappling with a host of climate-related challenges like rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall patterns, and the loss of green spaces that threaten its ecological and urban integrity. In response to these threats, the city has recognized the need for comprehensive climate mitigation strategies that address the root causes of climate change. One promising avenue for climate resilience is the integration of sustainable landscaping and urban planning models. In this regard, Islamabad’s Capital Development Authority (CDA) has shown interest in adopting the landscape model of Baku, Azerbaijan, which has successfully utilized green infrastructure to foster environmental sustainability and resilience.
Following the recommendations of a visiting horticulture expert team from Baku, work is underway to enhance and restore three key urban areas of the city including Saidpur Model Village, Melody Market, and Srinagar highway primarily. These green initiatives, aimed at beautification and ecological restoration, are expected to be completed by the upcoming spring season till April. To evaluate the progress of the work, a meeting was held last week in Islamabad between CDA head Muhammad Ali Randhawa and Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Khazar Farhadov.
As I myself have recently visited Azerbaijan’s capital city Baku, situated on the Caspian Sea, has become a pioneer in combining aesthetics with sustainability. I found Baku has undertaken several ambitious landscaping projects that emphasize green spaces, water management, and community engagement. These strategies have not only enhanced the city’s visual appeal but have also improved its resilience to climate-related issues. It’s success in urban planning and landscaping presents a unique opportunity for Islamabad to improve its climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, aligning urban development with environmental sustainability.
Islamabad’s growing vulnerability to climate change has increased urbanization leading to the expansion of concrete infrastructure, while deforestation and inadequate green spaces exacerbate the urban heat island effect.
Changes in climate patterns have led to reduced rainfall in the region, affecting the availability of surface water. Islamabad’s water supply largely depends on local rivers and reservoirs, which are impacted by irregular rainfall and melting glaciers.
The city’s dependence on water from external sources has become increasingly precarious as water demand rises. Islamabad also experiences seasonal fluctuations in water availability, with summer months facing higher demand and lower supply due to less rainfall. This seasonal imbalance contributes to the water shortage during certain times of the year.
To cope with these challenges, Islamabad needs to adopt more sustainable urban planning practices that prioritize green spaces and water management to reduce the impacts of climate change.
Baku’s landscape model could serve as a blueprint for Islamabad’s climate adaptation efforts by expanding its green spaces, effective water management systems, and the creation of community-centered projects that encourage environmental stewardship and contribute to the city’s aesthetic value but also enhance its ecological resilience.
To enhance biodiversity and reduce the heat effect, Islamabad can learn from Azerbaijan’s priority of expanding green spaces as Baku has invested heavily in parks, public gardens, and green corridors. Although, Islamabad already possesses several public parks, such as Shakarparian and Daman-e-Koh, but many areas of the city are still devoid of sufficient green coverage. By following Baku’s example, Islamabad can integrate more green areas into its urban fabric, including the development of vertical gardens and green roofs that l would provide crucial environmental benefits, such as carbon sequestration and improved air quality. Azerbaijan’s innovative approach to water management offers valuable insights for Islamabad, particularly in conserving water resources in Baku by implementing rainwater harvesting systems, water-efficient landscaping, and sustainable drainage techniques to mitigate the risks of flooding and water scarcity.
In Islamabad, water conservation is a pressing concern, especially given the city’s reliance on external water sources that are becoming increasingly unreliable. Integrating rainwater harvesting systems in new residential and commercial buildings, water recycling and reuse, sustainable urban planning, use of efficient irrigation systems, encouraging water-efficient appliances and awareness campaigns can reduce the strain on the city’s water supply, especially during periods of drought in Summer. These water-smart practices would help Islamabad become more resilient to climate-induced water scarcity.
Islamabad can benefit from Baku’s sustainable urban mobility initiatives of green transportation infrastructure, including cycling lanes, pedestrian walkways, and electric vehicle charging stations.
Islamabad, which faces severe traffic congestion and air quality issues, could adopt similar strategies to promote sustainable mobility.
Furthermore, establishing infrastructure for electric vehicles and providing incentives for their adoption could help transition Islamabad away from fossil fuel-dependent transport, contributing to lower emissions and cleaner air.
Baku’s another landscape model that could be adapted to Islamabad is energy-efficient landscaping by placing of trees and shrubs around buildings provide natural shade, reducing the need for air conditioning and lowering overall energy consumption. This principle could be applied to Islamabad’s urban planning, particularly in densely built areas.
Paper Mulberry trees in Islamabad have idirectly affected the local climate by contributing to a higher number of health-related absences from work or school, which impacts productivity and overall environmental well-being. By incorporating native, drought-resistant plants and increasing tree canopies, Islamabad could reduce its dependence on artificial cooling systems and lower the city’s energy consumption.
Perhaps most importantly, Baku’s landscape model emphasizes the involvement of local communities in the planning of green spaces to ensure that the projects are not only sustainable but also culturally appropriate and well-maintained.
Islamabad’s landscape initiatives would benefit from similar community involvement, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility among residents. Public awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of green spaces for climate resilience, such as tree planting and neighborhood clean-up initiatives, could further strengthen the connection between citizens and their environment.
To fully integrate Baku’s landscape model into Islamabad’s climate mitigation efforts, several key areas need to be addressed by ensuring that landscaping projects are aligned with the city’s climate adaptation strategy. This includes selecting plant species that are resilient to local climate conditions and can thrive in the face of rising temperatures and irregular rainfall patterns, focusing on integration of water-smart practices in urban landscaping to better manage the city’s water resources and fostering collaboration between relevent departments, urban planners, and local communities to ensure the successful implementation and long-term maintenance of these initiatives. The collaboration between Islamabad and Baku serves as an example of how cities around the world can learn from one another and work together to tackle the pressing challenges posed by climate change. For a successful implemention of these initiatives, Islamabad needs to follow Baku’s development master plan for 2040 that focuses on a multi-centered urban strategy including green building standards and improved public transport, with an estimated cost of approximately $55 billion.
The writer is a climate communication analyst based in Islamabd. He can be reached at: mediacares@gmail.com
