Faiza Tehseen

The increasing climatic impacts caused by rapid urbanisation and carbonisation can be mitigated by adopting bio-architecture. “Vertical gardening, vertical afforestation, or bio-architecture is a new concept in Pakistan. Gradually, with the increasing awareness, people will start to understand it. Additionally, this should be included in the national curriculum with proper research and analysis. New buildings should be designed to support vertical, kitchen, or rooftop gardening,” said Muhammad Atif Majeed, Deputy Director of Pakistan Forest Institute (PFI), Peshawar. Talking to WealthPK, he said it was time architects considered this option as an added provision or as a built-in feature for vertical gardening. “Currently, the rooftops built in the country can usually bear three to four times more burden as a safety factor. Besides roofs, vertical gardening can be done on balconies. To avoid roof overburden, light and durable plastic floral containers can be used. Damp proofing of the place can be ensured to avoid any damage to the building.”

Atif said, “To nourish the vertical garden, common soil can be used with a fertilizer mix. Globally, plants are also planted in wet plantation sponges. The plant roots absorb necessary nutrients and water from these sponges. Water-bearing necessary nutrients are added to the sponge for this purpose. It is the least expensive method, but is not well introduced in Pakistan.” He said that the government should frame the by-laws to make architects and building owners to add the special vertical plantation feature while designing the map. “Social media campaigns should be used and people should be encouraged to adopt this new trend to halt the rapid shrinking of the arid lands and conversion of fertile areas into housing societies.”

Discussing bio-architecture and vertical gardening with WealthPK, Muhammad Yousaf Khan, Chief Conservator Forest, Hazara division, said, “The current construction style in Pakistan is not supportive of vertical forestation. We have to adopt such types of additions to help reduce the climatic impact due to carbonisation and urbanisation. Architects should be asked to design specific buildings ideal for rooftop gardening or vertical plantation.”

Credit: INP-WealthPk