SEARCH ARTICLE

20 Pages : 201-211

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2024(IX-III).20      10.31703/gssr.2024(IX-III).20      Published : Sep 2024

Urban Walkability in a Megacity Context: An Examination of Johar Block-13, Karachi

    This study examines the walkability perceptions of residents in Johar Block-13, Karachi, focusing on pedestrian satisfaction and infrastructure needs. Using surveys and field observations, the research identifies key concerns, including poor sidewalk maintenance, limited crossing accessibility, inadequate lighting, and safety issues, with 76% of respondents feeling unsafe while walking. Additionally, noise pollution, vehicle congestion, and the lack of pedestrian-friendly amenities detract from the overall walkability experience. Results indicate significant dissatisfaction with the current infrastructure, especially regarding accessibility for vulnerable groups, including the elderly and disabled. The findings underscore a need for targeted improvements to foster a safer, more accessible environment, enhancing pedestrian activity and quality of life in Johar Block-13. The study's findings may help policymakers and urban planners design a city that can promote walking.

    Urban Walkability, Pedestrian Infrastructure, Accessibility, Safety Perception, Karachi
    (1) Muhammad Khurram Khan
    Postgraduate Student, Department of City and Regional Planning, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, 76062, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
    (2) Mir Aftab Hussain Talpur
    Professor, Department of City and Regional Planning, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
    (3) Aqta Urf Aqsa
    Lecturer, Department of Architecture and Planning, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.

19 Pages : 208-229

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2025(X-I).19      10.31703/gssr.2025(X-I).19      Published : Mar 2025

Climate Change Education at the Primary School Level in Pakistan: A Comparative Analysis of Curricula and Teaching Practices

    Education about climate change serves as a fundamental requirement for establishing environmental stewardship among primary school students. The investigation compares climate change knowledge between Pakistani public and private primary schools by utilizing UNESCO's climate education framework together with Shulman's Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK). The research methodology combined quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze textbooks from the Punjab Textbook Board and Oxford University Press, gather survey data from teachers, and conduct structured interviews followed by statistical assessment. The research shows modest direct climate-related learning appears in both public and private school curricula with private schools achieving better results in teaching methods. The participating sectors demonstrate teaching difficulties because of insufficient training and complex material which strengthens the argument for educational development based on UNESCO principles as well as PCK best practices.

    Climate Change Education, Unesco Framework, Pedagogical Content Knowledge (Pck), Public and Private Schools Pakistan, Curriculum Analysis, Teacher Perceptions
    (1) Saima Habib
    Section Head, Rangers Public School, Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Tayyaba Zain
    M. Phil Scholar, Department of STEM Education, University of Education Township, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.