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Rapid urbanisation, rising climate risks, and unsustainable construction practices are putting mountain settlements under increasing pressure. These communities face heightened resource scarcity, disaster risks, and environmental challenges, calling for the integration of sustainable and nature-based approaches in building practices.
The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) is at a critical juncture where rapid urbanisation, fragile mountain ecosystems, and increasing climate risks intersect. Unplanned construction, reliance on high-carbon materials, and the loss of vernacular architecture are placing mounting pressure on biodiversity, water, energy, and basic services – ultimately threatening the resilience of mountain communities.
Globally, the building and construction sector accounts for an estimated 37% of carbon dioxide emissions, largely from operations and material production (UNEP, 2022). In the past two decades (2000-2020), built-up areas in the HKH expanded by nearly 75% – 1.7 times faster than the population growth. This rapid expansion is dominated by carbon-intensive building materials like cement, steel, and aluminium. While these modern structures are becoming the norm, they drive up energy costs for heating and cooling and are replacing traditional architecture – designs that were far better adapted to mountain climates and cultural heritage.
Against this backdrop, nature-based alternatives remain underutilised and fragmented, and knowledge gaps persist. Bridging these gaps through dialogue and collaboration is essential to balance ecological integrity, social wellbeing, and economic development.
The series aims to:
