By
Samina Chaudhary
Climate change is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention and innovative solutions. One such solution lies in sustainable construction, as exemplified by the Community Development University located in the outskirts of Quetta, Balochistan. This institution, situated in Hana Horak—a suburb of Quetta, the provincial capital—has been established using local resources, knowledge, and skills. Constructed with stone, mud, wood, grass, bamboo, and tin sheets, it stands as a model of environmentally friendly architecture.
Environmental experts stress that recent floods are a stark reminder of the serious effects of climate change, which necessitate construction practices that do not emit greenhouse gases and are sustainable. The Community Development University addresses this need by employing renewable energy sources and sustainable water management techniques, while also protecting the local population from natural disasters.
Deputy In-charge Safdar Hussain highlighted the university’s mission to foster environmental awareness among youth. “Our goal was to instill a consciousness about climate change in young minds,” he stated. As students began integrating these concepts into their coursework, they noticed similar issues in their communities and started engaging locals in discussions about these challenges.The project was financed by the non-governmental organization Institute for Development Studies and Practice (IDSP), while the government provided four acres of land. The knowledge and skills of the local people played a crucial role in the development of this institution. Initially, the university faced significant challenges, including a lack of access roads, water, gas, and electricity.To address the water issue, the team analyzed 20 years of rainfall data, revealing an annual average of 220 millimeters in Quetta. This led to the installation of roof gutters and pipes to collect and store rainwater in 12 tanks, holding a total of 12,000 gallons for agricultural and general use.
Electricity shortages were tackled by harnessing wind and solar energy, generating 12 kilowatts to meet all the university’s power needs. Upon their arrival, the area had a natural ecosystem comprising various herbs, animals, and insects. Instead of using chemicals, which disrupt ecosystems, they employed natural repellents like garlic, onions, and lavender. After 15 years, the presence of pests has significantly decreased. The university also planted trees requiring minimal water, which help regulate building temperatures—cooling in summer and warming in winter. For the gas issue, they implemented biogas units, currently having six units providing both fuel and organic fertilizer for agriculture. Hussain emphasized the economic benefits of sustainable practices. The university recycles kitchen water for gardening, selling surplus vegetables to fund various courses and programs. With 40% of Balochistan’s revenue stemming from livestock, the university’s four-year-old livestock project generates an average annual income of 1 to 1.5 million PKR.
Founder and Director Qurat-ul-Ain Bakhtyari elaborated on the university’s vision: “Our aim is to provide a platform where young people can share their ideas and aspirations, which are then nurtured and developed.”
Currently, around 400 trained women offer maternal health services to communities, and 300 farms are engaged in organic farming, challenging hybrid seeds and chemical farming practices. The farms vary from one to five acres, including those without land, and about 100 women are learning to tackle social issues to advance in their fields.Since its inception in 2007, the university has incurred a maximum cost of 50 million PKR.
Addressing the question of issuing degrees, Bakhtyari explained that community development does not require formal degrees, as it is about imparting knowledge that enables individuals to live with insight. Graduates of the university often become artists, and so far, 8,000 students have graduated, with 30% being women. Remarkably, 80% of the university’s management comprises women.
The Community Development University stands as a testament to how sustainable construction and education can address climate change while empowering local communities in Pakistan.