KARACHI: A groundbreaking study using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and satellite imagery has revealed a severe shortage of green spaces in Karachi, putting residents at heightened risk from climate change.
Researchers from Aga Khan University (AKU) and New York University found that Karachi has only 4.17 square meters of green space per capita—less than half of the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum of 9 square meters. This shortfall intensifies the urban heat island effect, worsens air pollution, and disproportionately impacts lower-income communities.
“Green spaces are not just for aesthetics—they are crucial for public health and environmental resilience,” said Dr. Zainab Samad, Chair of AKU’s Department of Medicine and co-author of the study. She emphasized that trees act as natural shields against extreme heat, absorb carbon emissions, and help manage urban flooding.
With rising temperatures and increasing climate challenges, researchers urge policymakers to prioritize urban greenery, highlighting its essential role in both ecological stability and human well-being.
