Heritage studies and historical preservation in Pakistan, which have gained momentum in the past few decades, have been focused primarily on residential, commercial, and religious architecture dating to the British and Mughal eras, leaving aside an important layer of economic and urban history related to the industrialization of major cities. Most industrial buildings are left to decay or are demolished to make space for new development. Based on a literature review of Pakistan’s industrial heritage and site surveys conducted in Pakistan between 2019 and 2021, several industrial facilities were identified that have social, cultural, and economic potential for reuse or retooling to address the problem of inadequate public amenities in urban areas. There is, however, no documentation regarding such sites that is available for use by potential stakeholders. An inventory system is proposed to establish an overview of the industrial heritage in Pakistan (types of sites, current properties, spatial characteristics, significance) and to facilitate the recognition and management of these sites. An “industrial site inventory record” (ISIR) form is proposed to record information about industrial buildings and sites. In addition, an “industrial site statement of significance” (ISSOS) is proposed for use in recording the description, heritage value, and important architectural elements of significant industrial buildings and sites. The proposed inventory system is a step toward the recognition of industrial heritage and its potential for adaptive reuse and contribution to urban regeneration.

At the international level, heritage is widely recognised as a critical component of sustainable development. However, in South Asian countries such as Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, historic cities continue to struggle to preserve and integrate built heritage amid rapid urbanisation, socio-economic transformation, and evolving contemporary urban demands. Heritage places in these contexts are shaped by complex interrelations between collective memory, the built environment, and socio-cultural identity. Yet, conservation practices have been mainly implemented through fragmented, building-by-building approaches that neglect urban-scale coherence and intangible cultural dimensions. This article addresses this gap by examining adaptive reuse as a value-based conservation strategy in historic urban quarters, where heritage serves as both a repository of cultural memory and a catalyst for sustainable, experience-based tourism. Drawing on qualitative fieldwork, heritage value assessment matrices, and doctoral research, this study uses the Saddar Bazaar Quarter in Karachi, Pakistan, as a case study to explore how tangible and intangible heritage values can be systematically integrated into conservation and regeneration processes. The findings demonstrate that heritage-led adaptive reuse, when embedded within a comprehensive urban-scale conservation framework, can sustain everyday socio-cultural practices, reinforce local identity, and enhance the legibility of historic urban environments. Rather than positioning tourism as a primary driver, the study shows that culturally sensitive and community-oriented tourism emerges as an outcome of successful heritage integration, grounded in lived urban experience rather than commodified representation. Based on these insights, the article proposes a value-based integration framework that aligns heritage conservation, adaptive reuse, and sustainable tourism within historic urban quarters. The framework offers transferable methodological guidance for revitalising heritage places and collective memories, while providing policy-relevant insights for heritage governance that support sustainability objectives, community resilience, and inclusive urban regeneration in post-colonial contexts.

This study examines culture-led urban regeneration as a strategy for revitalizing Meezan Chowk, a historically significant yet deteriorating public space in Quetta, Pakistan. Once a central site of social and commercial exchange, the area suffered from infrastructural decline, overcrowding, and the erosion of its architectural identity. The research proposes a design intervention to restore the site’s heritage value while enhancing its functional and social relevance. A qualitative approach is adopted, incorporating surveys, focus group discussions, and site observations to assess user needs and spatial dynamics. A SWOT analysis serves as the analytical framework to identify the site’s internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats. By utilizing the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and OpenStreetMap data, further information can enhance understanding of the site’s urban morphology. The proposed design integrates vernacular elements, such as arched facades, shaded corridors, and communal courtyards, with contemporary features, including cafes, local artisan shops, and accessible public amenities.

Urbanization and alarming population growth necessitate more space for accommodation and commercial activities, increasing demand for high-rise buildings. Pursuing the success of a high-rise building overlooks how user satisfaction and requirements can be achieved through the provided facilities. This perception demands a more comprehensive understanding of movement and need-based facilities – not just an overview but its impacts on occupants’ satisfaction. Recent literature sheds light on diverse high-rise building facilities, yet withhold insight into ternary building sustainability aspects. The current paper attempts to analyze how the movement and need-based facilities fulfill users’ satisfaction in terms of health, comfort, and safety, fostering social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Literature is reviewed, and a case study is simultaneously presented for disseminating exhaustive knowledge. Key findings reveal that technological advancements have translated facilities into automated, smart, efficient, and optimized frameworks, transforming conventional high-rise buildings into modern urban architectures. Horizontal and vertical circulation zones, fundamental utility facilities, safety and emergency evacuation facilities, support-based, and convenience-based facilities fulfill the users' demands, improve mental and physical well-being, and enhance safety, thereby having a significant influence on satisfaction levels. The study reveals the importance of circulation zones and need-based facilities and establishes a strong foundation to improve their design and planning in high-rise structures. Besides, the study contributes with a real-world case, granting insights into a rare study area in Karachi.

Hospitals are essential institutions to serve well-being and health. Embracing the ongoing changes in the built environment is a prerequisite for ensuring swift access to emergency services and improving patient care. Horizontal and vertical movement facilities are crucial built environment aspects. These elements play an exemplary role in circulation within the hospital premises. However, their impacts on the comfort of healthcare receivers are not examined in the scientific literature. The objective of the current study is to explore and synthesize a comprehensive understanding on how the movement zones influence patient’s comfort in hospital settings. In this regard, scientific literature was reviewed, and two tertiary care private hospitals were narrated as case studies. Key insights drawn from literature analysis illustrate that state-of-the-art movement facilities are integrated in hospitals, and patient comfort hinges on various aspects of these facilities. Moreover, patient comfort in Karachi hospitals is identified, showcasing corridors and courtyards that feature more often large windowsand nature-inspired elements. Wayfinding signage is also consistently employed for patient guidance. Thereby, the enclosed vertical areas and connected pathways significantly refine the quality of care and comfort by enhancing safety and reducing anxiety. In conclusion, movement facilities are prerequisites for creating a satisfying and healing environment, eventually leading to a better quality of comfort. This study reveals substantial value for engineers, designers, architects, and stakeholders, accentuating various aspects of movement facility designs for upgrading patient comfort.

The economic capital and one of Pakistan’s most important cities gain popularity due to the reputable Karachi port. Karachi was referred to as Korokala and Debal in ancient times; a city conquered by famous conquerors, including Alexander the Great and Muhammad bin Qasim due to its seaport importance. However, most of the port’s tangible and material heritage were built by the British during the 19^th–20^th century. The Britishers conquered the city and started developing Karachi port because of the seaport. Due to the port, the area of Karachi grew from a small fishermen’s village to a bustling metropolitan city. During the second industrial revolution in the late 19^th century, the Britishers developed Indian industries so that they depended on British capital goods. To transport the goods, the British empire constructed railways and maritime routes in the mid and late nineteenth century, The port of Karachi was one of them. Karachi port remains the hub of Pakistan’s main logistic transportation, but some of its heritage buildings have been neglected on this site. After the 9/11 tragedy in the US, due to security reasons, Karachi port trust restricted the port to the public. Now, the security situation is better, and the port can be reintegrated and made accessible to the public through sustainable adaptive reuse of abandoned or underused buildings. Karachi is a congested city with few places for recreation; reintegrating this site can open opportunities for tourism while showcasing the city’s industrial heritage. This paper wants to articulate the potential of industrial heritage. But the latter in Pakistan is not yet recognized as part of a heritage discourse. The port offers a rich case study due to its layered history and various typologies of buildings on site.