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Lessons From the Global South : Decarbonize, Decolonize, Democratize Architecture - Lecture at ETH Zurich

Dr. Yasmeen Lari, Pakistan’s pioneering architect and globally recognized advocate for sustainable heritage conservation, delivered an inspiring lecture at the Department of Architecture, ETH Zurich.

In her lecture titled: Lessons From the Global South : Decarbonize, Decolonize, Democratize Architecture, she shared insights from her decades-long journey of blending architectural innovation with community empowerment, highlighting her work on zero donor villages, climate-resilient structures, and the revival of traditional crafts.

Her lecture not only illuminated the intersections of heritage and sustainability but also encouraged students and faculty to reimagine architecture as a tool for social transformation and ecological responsibility.

Video of her lecture can be viewed at the following link:

https://video.ethz.ch/speakers/d-arch/2026/spring/fs26/v/AXi3hcYj_GR

Mothers of Dr Yasmeen Lari’s zero donor villages teaching children the craft of Rilli making and cloth stitching.

In Dr. Yasmeen Lari’s zero donor villages, mothers have taken on the role of cultural custodians by passing down the traditional crafts of Rilli making and cloth stitching to their children.

These vibrant patchwork quilts and finely stitched garments are not only practical but also carry deep cultural significance, reflecting the artistry and resilience of Sindhi heritage.

By teaching these skills, the mothers are ensuring that their children grow up with both creative expression and a sense of continuity with their ancestral traditions. This intergenerational sharing strengthens community bonds, nurtures self-reliance, and preserves a craft that embodies dignity, identity, and pride in local heritage.

Children from Mai Ghariban village schools taught their mothers and community women to count.

Children from Mai Ghariban village schools became teachers in their own right, guiding their mothers and other community women through the basics of counting.

This simple yet powerful act not only bridged generations but also fostered confidence and independence among women who had previously been excluded from formal learning.

By sharing their knowledge, the children helped strengthen bonds within the community and opened doors to greater participation in everyday tasks, financial decisions, and collective empowerment.

Dr Yasmeen Lari invited a Kashigar from Halla to fabricate series of terracotta items for Zero Donor Pottery Villages.

A Kashigar, Gulam Abbas, from Halla was invited by Dr. Yasmeen Lari, CEO of the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan, to fabricate a series of terracotta items.

This initiative was designed to support zero-donor specialized pottery villages by enabling them to produce and market these items within surrounding communities. As part of the effort, Mr Ghulam Abbas crafted geometric-patterned tiles intended for use by village schoolchildren.

Fabrication and delivery of a scale model of Pakistan Chulah to be displayed at V&A Museum, London

Dr. Yasmeen Lari’s Pakistan Chulah was fabricated at one-third scale to be featured as part of the permanent display at the Victoria and Albert East Museum in London, United Kingdom.

The Chulah was meticulously crafted by Chulah Icon Ms. Dani from Pono Colony, Mirpurkhas. Following its completion, it was carefully packed and dispatched to ensure timely delivery ahead of the inauguration of the V&A East Museum in April 2026.

Dr Yasmeen Lari was invited to deliver Kinoshita Lecture in Architecture 2026 by Chinese University of Hong Kong.

We are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable Kinoshita Lecture in Architecture 2026, 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, delivered by the extraordinary Dr. Yasmeen Lari.

Her work on building resilient, zero-carbon architecture and empowering marginalised communities, especially local women, brings us new thinking and inspiration for our shared future. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Yasmeen Lari for her generosity in sharing her profound insights and commitment to humanitarian work, spatial justice, and sustainability.

A huge thank you to Mr. James H. Kinoshita for the generous support of the prestigious Kinoshita Lecture Series.

A video of complete lecture of Dr Lari can be viewed at the following:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DdP-yvIFfyI

Dr Yasmeen Lari wins 2025 achievement award at 7th Lisbon Architectural Triennale

In response to the catastrophic floods that struck Pakistan in 2022, Yasmeen Lari pledged to help build over one million houses, guided by her “four zeros” philosophy: zero carbon, zero waste, zero donors, and zero poverty. Achieving this goal without relying on donors, philanthropy, or external financial aid makes Lari's later career truly unique.

Yasmeen Lari will be present at the opening days of the Triennale 2025 (02 to 04 October), where she will deliver a public lecture and receive the Lisbon Triennale Millennium bcp Awards trophy, designed by Álvaro Siza and crafted from waste marble sourced in Estremoz, Portugal.

Article featuring Dr Yasmeen Lari can be viewed at the following:

https://www.trienaldelisboa.com/news/d/news_37fdb785-2d06-11f0-a872-bc24114270fc

https://c3globe.com/the-7th-lisbon-architecture-triennale/

Dr Yasmeen Lari was invited to deliver a lecture at Oslo Urban Week in Grønland, Oslo, Norway

Oslo Urban Week 2025, the urban development workshop (15-17 September 2025) held at Grønland and Vaterland, a neighborhood that reflects the theme: Heart of the City.

❝Yasmeen Lari reminds us of what architecture and urban development are all about, namely creating good cities for more people, says Mansoor Hussain, head of the program committee for Oslo Urban Week.❞

Article featuring Dr Yasmeen Lari can be viewed at the following:

https://oslourbanweek.no/aktuelt/et-ikon-til-oslo-urban-week

Japanese television team visited Pono Colony to observe Dr Yasmeen Lari’s flood resilient construction techniques.

Japanese national television NHK World visited village Pono Colony to observe Dr Yasmeen Lari’s zero carbon construction techniques adopted for the rehabilitation of flood affected communities in Sindh.

Featured video can be viewed at the following:

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20250929194354968/

The Architectural Review featured three zero carbon streets designed by Dr Yasmeen Lari in Karachi, Pakistan

September 2025 issue of Architectural Review Magazine titled: Forests, featured 3 eco friendly, zero carbon streets project designed and executed by Heritage Foundation of Pakistan under the leadership of CEO, Dr Yasmeen Lari and in collaboration with local communities.

Featured article can be read at the following:

https://www.architectural-review.com/essays/letters-from-the-editor/ar-september-2025-forest