Publications

Journal Papers

1. Memon, R. M., Hussain, S., Bhatti, O. S., Mahar, W. A., & Iqbal, N. (2026). Movement and Need-based Facilities in High-rise Buildings. Sir Syed University Research Journal of Engineering & Technology, 16(1), . Accepted for publication. Link: https://sirsyeduniversity.edu.pk/ssurj/rj/index.php/ssurj/OnlineFirstPublication 

2. Akbar, S. H., Shaker, M., Mahar, W. A., & Iqbal, N. (2026). Integrating Heritage Conservation, Adaptive Reuse, and Sustainable Tourism: A Value-Based Framework for Historic Urban Quarters. Heritage, 9(5), 159. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9050159  

3. Ibrahim, M.; Mahar, W. A.; Khan, M. J.; Nasir, M. J.; Ullah, A (2026). Assessment of Public Safety Standards in Commercial High-Rise Buildings of the Central Business District of Peshawar, Pakistan. Urban and Building Science, 2 (2), 3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53941/ubs.2026.100009 

4. Memon, R. M., Marvi, H., Soomro, T. A., Mahar, W. A., & Iqbal, N. (2025). Impacts of Movement Facilities on Comfort Assessment of Patients in Hospitals: Evidence from Karachi Hospitals. Sir Syed University Research Journal of Engineering & Technology, 15(2), 44–52. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33317/ssurj.698 

5. Akhtar, W., Sha, J., Li, X., Nasir, M. J., Mahar, W. A., Akbar, S. H., Ibrahim, M., & Rahman, S. U. (2025). Urban Heat on Hold: A Remote Sensing-Based Assessment of COVID-19 Lockdown Effects on Land Surface Temperature and SUHI in Nowshera, Pakistan. Land, 14(12), 2372. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/land14122372

6. Ibrahim, M., Ahmad, N., Mahar, W. A., & Nasir, M. J. (2025). Assessment of the spatial inequality and configuration of recreational green spaces in the urban centre of Nowshera, Pakistan. Discover Cities, 2, 113. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44327-025-00140-9 

7. Iqbal, N., Mahar, W. A., Soomro, T. A., & Memon, R. M. (2025). Facadism: A Happy Medium to the Dichotomy of Demolition and Conservation. International Research Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (IRJAHSS), 3(2), 192-207. Retrieved from https://irjahss.com/index.php/ir/article/view/257 

8. Akbar, S. H., Iqbal, N., Mahar, W. A.*, Memon, R. M., & Shaker, M. (2025). Adaptive Reuse as a Conservation Strategy: The Case of Trinity Church, a British-Era Heritage Site in Karachi. Journal of Arts and Linguistics Studies (JALS), 3(4), 5653–5690. Retrieved from https://jals.miard.org/index.php/jals/article/view/459  

9. Mansouri, Y., Matallah, M. E., Attar, A., Mahar, W. A., & Attia, S. (2025). The Impact of Soundscape on Pedestrian Comfort, Perception and Walking Experience in Béjaïa, Algeria. Acoustics, 7(4), 64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics7040064 

10. Tareen, A. K., Tareen, S., Iqbal, N., & Mahar, W. A.* (2025). The Evolution From Trend To A Tradition: Tea As A Cultural Pillar of Quetta’s Social Life. (2025). Traditional Journal of Law and Social Sciences (TJLSS), 4(2), 45–73. https://ojs.traditionaljournaloflaw.com/index.php/TJLSS/article/view/265 

11. Khawaja, S. R., Malik, S., Mahar, W. A., & Jamil, F. (2025). Urban Modernity and Spatial Transformation: The Evolution of Lyallpur to Faisalabad. Journal of Design and Built Environment (JDBE), 25(2), 57-77. Retrieved from https://ejournal.um.edu.my/index.php/jdbe/article/view/52777

12. Mansouri, Y., Matallah, M. E., Attar, A., Mahar, W. A., & Attia, S. (2025). An Investigation of Microclimatic Influences on Pedestrian Perception and Walking Experience in Contrasting Urban Fabrics: The Case of the Old Town and the Lower City of Béjaïa, Algeria. Urban Science, 9(7), 243. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9070243 

13. Tareen, A. K., Tareen, S., Memon, A. W., Iqbal, N., & Mahar, W. A.* (2025). Bridging Urban Renewal and Cultural Regeneration: The Case of Meezan Chowk in Quetta, Pakistan. Architecture, 5(3), 41. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture5030041

14. Ali, I., Peng, C., Ullah, H., Deng, J., Bibi, A., & Mahar, W. A. (2025). Multi-objective optimization of insulation materials for building energy and comfort improvements in hot and arid regions. Building Research & Information, 1-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2025.2506052

15. Matallah, M. E., Matzarakis, A., Boulkaibet, A., Ahriz, A., Zitouni, D. C., Ben Ratmia, F. Z., Mahar, W. A., Ghanemi, F., & Attia, S. (2025). Refining climate zoning in North Africa: A 30-Year analysis of heating and cooling degree days for energy planning and adaptation. Energy and Buildings, 115852. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.115852

16. Khan, M., Irfan, M., Habib, M., Mahar, W.A.*, & Batool, A. (2024). Barriers to Adopting Green Building Practices: A Case Study of Quetta, Pakistan. The Sciencetech, 5(3), 180–196. Retrieved from https://journals.qurtuba.edu.pk/ojs/index.php/tst/article/view/85929 

17. Aleha, A., Zahra, S. M., Memon, A. W., & Mahar, W. A.* (2024). Measuring Community Disaster Resilience in Southern Punjab: A Study of 2022 Pakistan Floods. Natural and Applied Sciences International Journal (NASIJ), 5(1), 113-129. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.nasij/5.1.8  

18. Mousavi, S. M., Hosseininasab, S., & Mahar, W. A.* (2024). Buffer Zone Policy and Its Impact on the Land Value and the Quality of the Built Environment in World Heritage Sites: The Case of Kampung Jawa, Melaka, Malaysia. Architecture and Engineering, 9(10), 91-102. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23968/2500-0055-2024-9-1-91-102 

19. Shah, S.J., Naeem, A.*, Hejazi, F., Mahar, W.A.*; & Haseeb, A. (2024). Experimental Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Concrete Mix with Lightweight Expanded Polystyrene and Steel Fibers. CivilEng, 5(1), 209-223. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/civileng5010011 

20. Hakima, N., Matallah, M.E., Bouzaher, S., Mahar, W.A.*, & Ahriz, A. (2024). Effect of Street Asymmetry, Albedo and Shading on Pedestrian Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Hot Desert Climates. Sustainability, 16(3 ),1291. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16031291 

21. Ben Ratmia, F.Z., Ahriz, A., Santi, G., Bouzaher, S., Mahar, W.A., Ben Ratmia, M.A.E., & Matallah, M.E. (2024). Street Design Strategies Based on Spatial Configurations and Building External Envelopes in Relation to Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Arid Climates. Sustainability, 16(1), 221. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010221

22. Khan, M.A., Anwar, N.U.R., Memon, A. W., Malghani, G. K., Memon, R. M., & Mahar, W.A.* (2023). Assessment of Transit Congestion for Sustainable Urban Transport Management in Quetta, Pakistan. The Sciencetech, 4(3), 35–54. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/308369

23. Anwar, N.U.R., Mahar, W.A., Qureshi, S., Marri, S.A., Malghani, G.K., & Khan, M.A. (2022). Urban Sprawl, Its Impact and Challenges: A Case Study of Quetta, Pakistan. Journal of Applied and Emerging Sciences (JAES), 12(2),  99–108. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/299731

24. Bughio, M., Bahale, S., Mahar, W.A., & Schuetze, T. (2022). Parametric Performance Analysis of Cooling Potential of Earth-to-Air Heat Exchangers in the Hot and Humid Climates. Energies, 15(19), 7054. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en15197054

25. Soomro, R., Memon, I.A., Pathan, A.F.H., Mahar, W.A., Sahito, N., & Lashari, Z.A. (2022). Factors That Influence Travelers’ Willingness to Adopt Bus Rapid Transit (Green Line) Service in Karachi. Sustainability, 14(16), 10184. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610184

26. Labdaoui, K., Mahar, W.A.*, Qureshi, S., & Marri, S.A. (2022). How Tmrt Affects PET Assessment in Outdoor Environments: A Comparative Study. Journal of Art, Architecture and Built Environment (JAABE), 5(1), 121-138. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32350/jaabe.51.06 

27. Marri, S.A., Mahar, W.A.*, Qureshi, S., & Memon, R.M. (2022). Architecture For “Other”? Building A Critical Account On Architecture “Othering” From Colonial To Post-Colonial Time (19th Century - Present Time). Webology, 19(2), 7923–7935. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/289774 

28. Matallah, M.E., Arrar, H.F., Faci, M., Mahar, W.A., Ratmia, F.Z.B., & Attia, S. (2022). Assessment of Human Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Palm Grove during the Date Palm Phenological Cycle. Atmosphere, 13(3), 379. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030379

29. Matallah, M.E., Mahar, W.A., Bughio, M., Alkama, D., Ahriz, A., & Bouzaher, S. (2021). Prediction of climate change effect on outdoor thermal comfort in arid region. Energies, 14(16), 4730. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en14164730 

30. Bughio, M., Khan, M.S., Mahar, W.A., & Schuetze, T. (2021). Impact of passive energy efficiency measures on cooling energy demand in an architectural campus building in Karachi, Pakistan. Sustainability, 13(13), 7251. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137251 

31. Ibrahim, H.S.S., Khan, A.Z, Mahar, W.A., Attia, S., & Serag, Y. (2021). Assessment of passive retrofitting scenarios in heritage residential buildings in hot, dry climates. Energies, 14(11), 3359. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en14113359  

32. Semahi, S., Benbouras, M. A, Mahar, W.A., Zemmouri, N., & Attia, S. (2020). Development of spatial distribution maps for energy demand and thermal comfort estimation in Algeria. Sustainability, 12(15), 6066. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12156066

33. Bughio, M., Schuetze, T., & Mahar, W.A. (2020). Comparative analysis of indoor environmental quality of architectural campus buildings’ lecture halls and its’ perception by building users, in Karachi, Pakistan. Sustainability, 12(7), 2995. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12072995

34. Mahar, W.A.*, Verbeeck, G. Reiter, S., & Attia, S. (2020). Sensitivity analysis of passive design strategies for residential buildings in cold semi-arid climates. Sustainability, 12(3), 1091. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12031091

35. Mahar, W.A.*, Verbeeck, G., Singh, M.K., & Attia, S. (2019). An investigation of thermal comfort of houses in dry and semi-arid climates of Quetta, Pakistan. Sustainability, 11(19), 5203. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su11195203

* Corresponding Author 

Published Conference Proceedings

1. Matallah, M.E., Alkama, D., Mahar, W.A., & Attia, S. (2021). The assessment of outdoor thermal comfort inside oasis settlements in North Africa - Algeria. CISBAT 2021, 8-10 September. Lausanne, Switzerland: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). Journal of Physics: Conference Series, Volume 2042, 012061, IOP Publishing Ltd. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2042/1/012061 

2. Amer, M., Mahar, W.A., Ruellan, G., & Attia, S. (2019). Dynamics Sensitivity analysis of glazing parameters and operational schedules on energy consumption and life cycle cost. Proceedings of Building Simulation: Proceedings of the 16th IBPSA Conference, p. 5022-5028. Sept. 2-4, 2019. Rome, Italy. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26868/25222708.2019.210672  

3. Mahar, W.A.*, Anwar, N.U.R., & Attia, S. (2019). Building energy efficiency policies and practices in Pakistan: A literature review. 5th International Conference on Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (EESD) 2018. 14-16 Nov 2018. Jamshoro, Pakistan: Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET). AIP Conference Proceedings 2119, 020005 (2019). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5115364

4. Anwar, N.U.R., Mahar, W.A.*, & Khan, J.F. (2018). Renewable energy technologies in Balochistan: Practice, prospects and challenges. In the proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (EESD) 2018. 14-16 Nov 2018. Jamshoro, Pakistan: Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET).  Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/229334 

Conference Papers Presented

1. Adnan, A., Faisal, H., Khan, U.,  & Mahar, W.A.* (2025). Contested Sanctuaries: Illegal Mosques, Urban Sovereignty, and the 11th Avenue Project in Islamabad. 6th International Conference on Urban Regeneration and Sustainability (URS) 2025. 25-27 Nov. 2025. Rome, Italy: Sapienza Università di Roma.

2. Mahar, W.A.* (2025). National Housing Policy (NHP): Balochistan's Perspective. IAPEX Quetta Building Materials Exhibition and Conference on Dreaming in Concrete: Breathing in Sustainability. 24-26 Oct 2025. Quetta, Pakistan: Institute of Architects, Pakistan (IAP) Quetta Chapter. 

3. Mahar, W.A.* (2024). Building the Unbuilt and the Unbuildable: Challenges and Opportunities in the Housing Sector. Sindh Property, Building Materials and Home Decor Expo and Conference on Architecture in Sindh: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. 28-30 Nov 2024. Hyderabad, Pakistan: Association of Architects Sindh (AAS).

4. Dhramatanna, S.W., Mahar, W.A., Agustianti, S.W., & Wijaya, E.S. (2024). Ventilation Beyond Tradition: A Systematic Review of Passive Cooling Techniques Used in the Mosques. 14th International Conference on Green Technology (ICGT). 1-2 Oct 2024. Malang, Indonesia: Atria Hotel. 

5. Mahar, W.A.* (2024). Materialization of Climate-Responsive Design Solutions for Residential Buildings. 1st International Conference on Blurring the Barriers: The Interdisciplinary Value of Architecture. 24-25 Jan 2024. Karachi, Pakistan: Dawood University of Engineering and Technology (DUET). 

6. Mahar, W.A.* (2023). Climate change, thermal comfort, and energy efficiency: Meeting the needs of the residential sector. IAPEX Quetta Building Materials Exhibition and Conference on Quintessential Quetta. 20-21 Oct 2023. Quetta, Pakistan: Institute of Architects, Pakistan (IAP) Quetta Chapter. 

7. Mahar, W.A.* (2023). Powering the future in a finite world: Housing, energy, fuel poverty and Thermal Comfort. IAPEX Peshawar Building Materials Exhibition and Conference on Urban Regeneration/Revival. 17-19 Mar 2023. Peshawar, Pakistan: Institute of Architects, Pakistan (IAP) Peshawar Chapter. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/301764 

8. Mahar, W.A.* (2022). Climate change, thermal comfort, and energy efficiency: Meeting the challenges of cities in the 21st century. Saving Our Cities: Looming Challenges and Data-driven Policy Making. 17-18 Jun 2022. Lahore, Pakistan: Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/293913 

9. Mahar, W.A.* (2022). Building energy efficiency policies in Pakistan: Current Issues and Future Prospects. International Symposium on Architecture and Planning (ISAAP 2022). 31 Mar 2022. Lahore, Pakistan: University of Management and Technology (UMT). Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/293912 

10. Aleha, A., Mahar, W.A., & Zahra, S.M. (2022). Study of Indoor Environmental Quality of Public-School Classrooms in Multan. 2nd International Conference on Science, Engineering and Technology (ICSET-2022). 10-11 Mar 2022. Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan: Mir Chakar Khan Rind University of Technology (MCKRUT). Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/289779 

11. Aleha, A., Mahar, W.A.*, & Labdaoui, K. (2021). Urban green spaces and their role in making cities sustainable: revisiting Multan city from 1988 to 2020. 1st International Conference on Science, Engineering and Technology (ICSET-2021). 18 Mar 2021. Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan: Mir Chakar Khan Rind University of Technology (MCKRUT). Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/258159 

12. Mahar, W.A.*, Amer, M., & Attia, S. (2018). Indoor thermal comfort assessment of residential building stock in Quetta, Pakistan. European Network for Housing Research (ENHR) Annual Conference 2018. 27-29 Jun 2018. Uppsala, Sweden:  Uppsala University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/226537

13. Kasi, Z.K., Mahar, W.A.*, & Khan, J.F. (2018). Structural defects in residential buildings: A study of Quetta, Pakistan. 1st International Conference on Advances in Engineering & Technology (ICAET) 2018. 2-3 Apr 2018. Quetta, Pakistan: Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS). Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/223736

14. Mengal, M.U.R, & Mahar, W.A.* (2018). Disaster mitigation strategies for adobe houses: A case study of District Awaran, Balochistan, Pakistan. 1st International Conference on Advances in Engineering & Technology (ICAET) 2018. 2-3 Apr 2018. Quetta, Pakistan: Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS). Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/223847

15. Mahar, W.A.*, Knapen, E., & Verbeeck, G. (2017). Methodology to determine housing characteristics in less developed areas in developing countries: A case study of Quetta, Pakistan. European Network for Housing Research (ENHR) Annual Conference 2017. 4-6 Sep 2017. Tirana, Albania: Polis University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/222584 

Editorials

1. Mahar, W.A.*, Khamidi, M.F., & Leng, P.C. (2024). Editorial: Advancing Sustainability, Battling Climate Change. Frontiers in Sustainability. 5:1480905. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2024.1480905

2. Fezzai, S., Mahar, W.A., Ahriz, A., Matallah, M.E., & Mesloub, A. (2023). Editorial: Assessment of users’ satisfaction in public spaces. Frontiers in Built Environment. 9:1213944. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1213944

Scientific Reports

1. Mahar, W. A. & Attia, S. (2018b). Indoor thermal comfort assessment in residential building stock: A study of RCC houses in Quetta, Pakistan. SBD Lab, University of Liège. 26 Dec 2018. ISBN 978-2-930909-14-1. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/230476 

2. Mahar, W.A. & Attia, S. (2018a). An overview of housing conditions, characteristics and existing infrastructure of energy, water & waste systems in Quetta, Pakistan. SBD Lab, University of Liège. 2 Apr 2018. ISBN 978-2-930909-11-0. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/222793 

Scientific Posters

1. Mahar, W.A. & Attia, S. (2018). Methodology for the design of climate-responsive houses for optimized thermal comfort in Quetta, Pakistan. 3rd Young Researchers Overseas Day (YROD) 2018. 7 Dec 2018. Brussels, Belgium: Royal Academy of Overseas Sciences (RAOS), Belgium. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/230039 

2. Mahar, W.A. & Attia, S. (2018). Thermal comfort in residential building stock of Quetta, Pakistan. Doctoral Seminar on Sustainability Research in the Built Environment (DS2BE). 29-30 May 2018. Brussels, Belgium: Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/226536 

3. Mahar, W.A., Verbeeck, G. & Knapen, E. (2017). Methodology for the design and development of a sustainable house concept for Quetta, Pakistan. Doctoral Seminar on Sustainability Research in the Built Environment (DS2BE). 26-27 Apr 2017. Liège, Belgium: Université de Liège. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/222586  

News Articles

1. Khalid, W., Waqas, A., Mahar, W.A., & Khalid, F. (2019). Thermal comfort, energy management scenario of Pakistan. Pakistan Observer. 18 Sep 2019. Islamabad, Pakistan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2268/256943