Cutting EDGE: The first green-certified affordable housing in Pakistan

For World Cities Day 2022, we’re spotlighting two of our green affordable housing projects in Pakistan – the only projects in the country currently certified by the internationally recognised green building standard, EDGE.

With rising demand for housing in Pakistan, the housing backlog has soared to 10 million homes. Homes are expensive and out of reach for low-income earners – as a result 40% of the urban population still live in informal settlements.

These recently certified climate-smart projects are proving that building green doesn’t have to come at a cost, showing the value of building green homes to local developers and supporting the country’s mandate to deliver five million homes by 2023.

Modulus Green Homes – ModulusTech

• What is the project? Modulus Green Homes is an affordable housing development located in Karachi, Pakistan, consisting of 19 flat-pack, modular homes.
• EDGE status: It’s achieved EDGE Advanced, going beyond the standard certification.
• What are the green savings? 49% improvements in energy efficiency, 48% improvements in water efficiency, and 62% improvements in embodied energy in materials, compared with conventional local construction methods.
• Has it used any innovative solutions or technologies? ModulusTech’s flat-pack housing technology has less embodied carbon compared to conventional construction, and homes are built in 10% of the time. The houses feature a ‘wind catcher’ – a passive cooling system which naturally lowers indoor temperature by as much as 20°C. The homes cost just $12 per square foot and, with remaining construction emissions offset by local tree planting, they are one of the most affordable net zero homes in the world.
• Is there anything else that makes the project notable? ModulusTech works with mortgage companies to offer these homes for as low as USD$90 per month which is affordable for the bottom 40% in the city. Additionally, they are prioritising female-ownership and are working with ConnectHear to make the homes accessible for disabled communities.

Nabeel Siddiqui, Co-founder of ModulusTech, said: “The road between affordability and sustainability in housing has now been paved. At ModulusTech we have optimized our design to ensure that our homes are net zero and more affordable than conventional methods of construction.

“While affordability and sustainability are two great feats we have accomplished, scalability is one of great importance as well. With our proprietary technology, ModulusTech homes can be assembled in as little as a day without any machinery required.” 

Left: ModulusTech windcatcher. Right: Outside of completed affordable net zero home.

Safiya Homes Lahore – Ansaar Management Company (AMC)

• What is the project? Safiya Homes is a green and government-approved affordable housing project, developed by AMC, in Lahore, Pakistan. The site comprises 65 single and double-storey homes.
• EDGE status: It’s been certified to the EDGE green building standard.
• What are the green savings? 34% improvements in energy efficiency, 42% improvements in water efficiency, and 35% improvements in embodied energy in materials, compared with conventional local construction methods.
• Has it used any innovative solutions or technologies? Energy and water saving technologies, including a water filtration plant, underground sewage system and centralised water supply.
• Is there anything else that makes the project notable? The site champions community wellbeing, featuring 24/7 security, full-time electricity, a centre of worship, community and commercial centres and a graveyard. AMC work with micro-financing organisation, Akhuwat, to secure homeownership through an innovative loan system. Read more here.

Jawad Aslam, Ansaar Management Company’s CEO, said: “Making affordable housing green does not have to be complicated or expensive, and AMC’s EDGE-certified Safiya Homes Lahore project is proof of this. As the recent floods have demonstrated, this region is one of the most vulnerable to climate variability and change on earth, so this makes this certified affordable housing project very key for us.”

Left: Front of a Safiya Home. Right: A family receiving the keys to their green, affordable Safiya Home.