Abstract
Pakistan’s energy crisis is often discussed in terms of electricity shortages and rising fuel costs. From the perspective of households, however, the crisis is felt through frequent load shedding, increasing monthly bills, and uncomfortable indoor conditions. During my academic and professional journey, I observed that a major contributor to this problem is inefficient energy use in buildings, particularly in low-income urban areas where construction quality and thermal performance are weak. This article reflects my learning from practical experience in Peshawar, academic exposure at NUST, and applied research during my final year project. Using examples from Peshawar and Swat, it discusses how simple and context-appropriate smart building practices can reduce energy stress and improve living conditions in vulnerable communities.
1. Rethinking Pakistan’s Energy Problem
Discussions around Pakistan’s energy sector usually focus on generation capacity and fuel availability. However, during my work with ECSPak Engineering Consultant in Peshawar, I saw that many energy-related problems originate at the building level. Residential and commercial buildings are often designed with minimal consideration for orientation, ventilation, or thermal performance. Energy efficiency is usually treated as a secondary concern due to budget limitations or lack of awareness.
On several projects, I observed that poor design decisions at early stages resulted in buildings that required excessive mechanical cooling during summer. This increased electricity demand and placed additional financial pressure on occupants. These observations helped me understand that improving building performance can significantly reduce energy stress without relying solely on large-scale power generation.
National reports also highlight that residential consumers are increasingly affected by rising tariffs and peak demand pressures, especially during extreme weather (NEPRA, 2024). This further supports the need to focus on demand-side solutions within buildings.
2. Smart Buildings in the Context of Low-Income Communities
In many international discussions, smart buildings are associated with advanced technologies and automated systems. Through my academic exposure at NUST, especially during seminars and technical talks, I learned that smart solutions are not defined by technology alone. Speakers often emphasized that intelligence in buildings comes from how well design, energy use, and human behavior are aligned.
For low-income communities in Pakistan, smart buildings should focus on basic but effective strategies. These include controlling heat gain, improving ventilation, reducing unnecessary electricity use, and understanding daily energy consumption patterns. During discussions at NUST, European examples of energy-efficient buildings were frequently referenced. What stood out to me was that their success is not only due to technology, but also strong design standards and public awareness.
This reinforced my belief that similar principles can be adapted locally, even with limited resources, if buildings are designed and used more thoughtfully.
3. Applied Learning and Research Perspective
My understanding of energy efficiency in buildings developed further during my final year design project under the supervision of Dr. Khurram Iqbal Khan. The project focused on improving the energy performance of existing buildings through analytical evaluation and digital tools. While working on this project, I learned how conventional building designs often ignore long-term energy performance.
The research process required me to review literature, evaluate different improvement options, and test ideas within realistic constraints. This experience strengthened my ability to approach unfamiliar problems independently and to link technical decisions with real-world impacts. Many of the ideas discussed in this article are influenced by this research experience, particularly the emphasis on practical and achievable solutions.
At the same time, exposure to European building standards through academic discussions helped me understand how regulatory frameworks and consistent design practices support energy transitions. This perspective shaped my approach to analyzing Pakistan’s building challenges.
4. Regional Context and Practical Examples
4.1 Peshawar
While working in Peshawar, I observed that summer heat is one of the most serious challenges faced by households. Dense urban layouts limit airflow, and concrete roofs absorb heat throughout the day. Many homes remain uncomfortable even at night. As a result, families rely heavily on fans and cooling appliances, increasing electricity demand during peak hours (NEPRA, 2024).
In such conditions, I learned that reducing heat entering the building is more effective than increasing cooling capacity. Simple measures such as reflective roof treatments, external shading, and improved ventilation timing can noticeably improve indoor comfort. I also noticed that when electricity returns after outages, many households switch on multiple appliances at once. Awareness about load scheduling can help manage this issue without additional cost (World Bank, 2022).
4.2 Swat
In contrast, Swat faces energy stress mainly during winter. Buildings lose heat quickly due to poor insulation and gaps in construction. Through case discussions and literature review, I learned that many households rely on inefficient heating practices, which increases energy use and safety risks.
Smart building practices in this context focus on retaining heat. Improving roof insulation, sealing air leaks, and using sunlight during the day can significantly improve comfort. Concentrating heating in commonly used rooms also reduces unnecessary energy use. These strategies are simple but highly effective for cold regions (UN-Habitat, 2020).
5. Practical Smart Building Measures
Based on my learning and observations, the following measures are particularly relevant for low-income communities.
Low-cost actions include switching to LED lighting, reducing standby electricity use, adjusting ventilation according to temperature patterns, and tracking electricity consumption through meter readings.
Moderate-cost improvements include roof insulation or reflective coatings, external shading devices, and efficient fans with proper electrical maintenance.
Targeted smart solutions include the use of simple smart plugs for high-consumption appliances and inverter-based systems where affordability allows.
These measures can be implemented gradually, making them realistic for households with limited resources.
6. Barriers to Adoption
Despite their benefits, many households struggle to adopt energy-efficient practices. During my professional experience, I noticed that short-term construction costs often take priority over long-term energy savings. In rented housing, tenants have little control over building improvements. Limited technical guidance and low awareness also reduce confidence in such measures (Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Finance, 2024).
Community organizations, universities, and local authorities can play an important role by providing guidance, training, and small-scale support.
7. Implications for Pakistan’s Energy Transition
Energy efficiency is increasingly recognized as a cost-effective way to reduce energy stress (NEPRA, 2024). From my learning, it is clear that improving buildings can reduce household vulnerability while easing pressure on the energy system.
European experiences discussed during academic seminars showed that long-term progress requires coordination between policy, design standards, and public awareness. While Pakistan’s context is different, the underlying lessons remain relevant.
8. Conclusion
Pakistan’s energy crisis cannot be solved through supply expansion alone. Inefficient buildings continue to increase demand and worsen household discomfort. Through my academic training, professional experience, and applied research, I have learned that simple and context-aware smart building strategies can significantly improve conditions in low-income urban communities. Examples from Peshawar and Swat show that meaningful improvements are possible without expensive technology. These approaches align with smart city principles and provide a practical foundation for a more resilient and sustainable built environment.
References
- Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Finance. (2024). Pakistan Economic Survey 2023–24: Energy chapter.
- Government of Pakistan, Power Division. (2023). Pakistan power sector yearbook 2023–24.
- International Energy Agency (IEA). (2023). Buildings: Tracking clean energy progress.
- National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). (2024). State of Industry Report 2024.
- United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). (2020). Sustainable urban energy planning: A guide for cities.
- World Bank. (2022). Achieving energy efficiency in Pakistan’s buildings sector.