A CONTEXTUALIZED FRAMEWORK FOR LOW-CARBON BUILDINGS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Abstract

This study investigates the current state of low-carbon building (LCB) practices in Pakistan's construction sector and develops a contextualized implementation framework to address identified barriers. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study integrates quantitative surveys of 153 construction professionals, qualitative semi-structured interviews with 10 industry experts, and a comprehensive literature review. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, thematic analysis, and comparative methods. Findings reveal that LCB adoption in Pakistan remains critically low, evident in only 5% of surveyed projects. Four primary barriers were identified and ranked: absence of regulatory frameworks and financial incentives (mean score 4.75/5), high upfront costs (4.58/5), limited awareness and technical knowledge (4.35/5), and restricted availability of sustainable materials (4.18/5). Technical analysis further demonstrates that passive design strategies can achieve 40–70% energy demand reduction, while renewable energy integration offers substantial operational carbon savings. The study contributes original empirical data on LCB implementation barriers specific to Pakistan and presents the first contextualized framework—the Three-Pillar Low-Carbon Building Design (LCBD) Framework—tailored to Pakistan's unique socio-economic, regulatory, and climatic conditions. The proposed framework provides actionable guidance for policymakers and industry professionals, with recommendations including mandatory building energy codes, targeted financial incentives, and comprehensive capacity-building programs. This research offers both theoretical contributions to sustainable construction literature and practical pathways for accelerating low-carbon transitions in developing country contexts