How to fix Karachi - History, Culture and Architecture of Karachi - Arif Hasan and Marvi Mazhar
The Pakistan Experience Podcast | 2026
In conversation with renowned architect and urban planner Arif Hasan, Marvi Mazhar explored the historical, social, and political forces that have shaped Karachi's urban landscape. The discussion examined heritage conservation, housing, infrastructure, governance, ecology, and community-led development, advocating for more equitable, sustainable, and people-centred approaches to the future of the city

Karachi's best Nihari - The Food Experience episode 1 with Marvi Mazhar
The Pakistan Experience Podcast | 2026 
Marvi Mazhar joined The Food Experience to explore the story of Haji Idrees Nihari, one of Karachi's oldest family-run culinary institutions. Through conversations on food, architecture, and memory, the episode reflects on the importance of preserving the city's historic neighbourhoods, built heritage, and culinary traditions, revealing how culture and everyday life together shape Karachi's unique urban identity.

Night School 2025 | Lifelines: Tending to the Ruins with Marvi Mazhar and Ayesha Qaisar
Architects Marvi Mazhar and Ayesha Qaisar join Art Jameel's Night School 2025 to discuss urban heritage preservation, public space activism, and community-led conservation strategies across Karachi and Dubai.

Architecture Without Politics Is Dead Ft: Marvi Mazhar | EP 30 |
Mukalma with Moeed — In Conversation with Marvi Mazhar
Mukalma  Podcast | 2025
Marvi Mazhar joined Mukalma with Moeed for an in-depth conversation on architecture, heritage conservation, and the evolving relationship between culture, memory, and the built environment. Drawing on her practice and research, she reflected on community-led conservation, spatial justice, climate resilience, and the importance of ethical, people-centered approaches to architecture. The discussion highlights how design extends beyond buildings to shape identity, public life, and the future of South Asian cities.

China Cutting Scandal | Karachi Parks for Sale | Marvi Mazhar Exclusive | 2025
Architect and civic activist Marvi Mazhar breaks down the commercialization and encroaching of Karachi’s public green spaces under the guise of public-private partnerships. She highlights how converting residential neighborhood parks into commercial venues (such as padel courts) creates noise and light pollution, exacerbates urban heat and flooding risks, and deprives citizens of essential open spaces.

MANZAR: Art & Architecture from Pakistan, 1940s to Today
October 31st - 3rd November 2024
A fascinating panel discussion hosted by Qatar Museums opens in a new window as part of the MANZAR exhibition in Doha.
Moderated by Sean Anderson, legendary architects and thinkers Nayar Ali Dada, Kamil Khan Mumtaz, Marvi Mazhar, and Maria Aslam explore the intersection of art, built environment, heritage preservation, and climate resilience in Pakistan.

Woman In Public Spaces: Marvi Mazhar | 2024
In this feature published in 2024 by Khaula Jamil, architect and heritage consultant Marvi Mazhar explores the vital connection between gender, community design, and accessible public spaces in Karachi. She emphasizes that urban design should move away from top-down gentrification and generic play structures, advocating instead for neighborhood-level studies that prioritize community needs. Using the revitalization of Pakistan Chowk as a key example, she demonstrates how transforming a neglected dump site through community consultation created a safe, inclusive environment where women and children gather daily to enjoy sunlight, socialize, and take active ownership of their local space.

Front Seat To Climate Change host Dawar Butt talks to architect Marvi Mazhar about the way Pakistani cities are designed - or lack thereof.

Premiered by Dawn News on July 11, 2024

How can a city move forward if it does not respect its past? It’s the philosophy that guides Marvi Mazhar, an architect and heritage advocate in Pakistan’s #Karachi, in her work on #heritage preservation. Find out how she deals with challenges in this journey to rescue Karachi’s heritage sites from falling victim to urbanization.

Premiered by Asia Featured on July 3, 2024

Mishaal-E-Zun | Marvi Mazhar | Women's Month | 2024
In the 10th episode of Creative Headquarters' "Mishaal-E-Zun" series, architect and heritage consultant Marvi Mazhar shares her journey—from traditional architecture to community-centric urban planning and conservation in Pakistan. also speaking on the importance of preservation, accessible third spaces, and low-scale architecture

Place Pollinations: People, Culture, and Preservation | January 19, 2024
Exploring how informal vernacular urbanism shapes culture, community, and preservation in cities like Karachi and Havana. Honored to join the panel discussion on Place Pollinations: People, Culture, and Preservation hosted by Pratt Historic Preservation

Muddy Waters: Reimagining Futures in Wet Asia
08th Dec 2023

November 3rd 2023Building Ideas for a Better City, Better Life with Marvi Mazhar & Farhan Anwar_Part 02

November 3rd 2023Building Ideas for a Better City, Better Life with Marvi Mazhar & Farhan Anwar_Part 01

Architecture for the Future - Yasmeen Lari | 2023
Explore the legacy and pioneering work of Pakistan’s first female architect, Yasmeen Lari. From iconic modernist and brutalist designs in Karachi to leading low-cost, zero-carbon, and community-driven self-building techniques for climate-affected areas.
Featured Book: Yasmeen Lari: Architecture for the Future (Edited by Angelika Fitz, Ella Krasny, Marvi Mazhar, & Architekturzentrum Wien; Published by MIT Press).

Development and Urban Design in Karachi – Marvi Mazhar 
The Pakistan Experience Podcast | 2022 
Marvi Mazhar joined The Pakistan Experience for a conversation on Karachi's evolving urban landscape, examining the city's patterns of development, ecological challenges, and the politics of urban design. Drawing on her research and practice, she discussed heritage conservation, spatial justice, public art, and the urgent need for more equitable and ecologically responsive approaches to planning. The conversation highlights architecture as a means of understanding the relationship between people, place, and the future of Pakistan's cities.

Samandar ki Chori | Marvi Mazhar | Khalid Malik | Green Hour | EP 4 | FM91 | 2022
Architect and urban researcher Marvi Mazhar joins Khalid Malik on FM91’s Green Hour to discuss coastal encroachment and unregulated land reclamation in Karachi. She questions the environmental impact of building infrastructure right up to the shoreline without ecological buffer zones or transparent impact studies, highlighting the potential risks for residents and the marine environment

Women in Architecture | Marvi Mazhar | Khalid Malik | Green Hour | EP 4 | FM91 | 2022
Architect Marvi Mazhar speaks with host Khalid Malik about the realities facing women entering the architecture field.
Despite women making up a large majority of architecture graduates, archaic industry perception often side-lines them toward interior projects rather than structural design.

High Rise Buildings | Marvi Mazhar | Khalid Malik | Green Hour | EP 4 | FM91 | 2022
Architect Marvi Mazhar joins host Khalid Malik to critique the rapid development of tall buildings and high-rises.
She highlights the critical need to consider air movement, ventilation, microclimates, and long-term environmental durability rather than just stacking concrete without ecological research or bylaws.

Farms or Houses? Reducing the Human and Environmental Costs of Urban Expansion | 2021
In this Tabadlab Live Policy Roundtable, urban planners, policy analysts, and industry experts delve into:
🔹 The impact of converting farmland into residential real estate
🔹 Regulatory gaps (RERA, local government decentralization, land tax reform)
🔹 Protecting vulnerable informal settlements (Katchi Abadis)
🔹 Environmental consequences: carbon emissions, loss of carbon sinks, and climate vulnerability
Speakers: Marvi Mazhar, Ammar Rashid, Aisha Shahid, Dawar Butt, and Shafiq Akbar.

Pakistan Chowk | Documentary Film | 11th may 2020
Transforming heritage into community space: Pakistan Chowk documents the rehabilitation of a neglected public square in Karachi's historic Arambagh neighborhood, showcasing urban renewal and community engagement driven by local initiatives and architects.

SOT XII - Orange Line: My Way or the Highway | 2020
Development vs. Heritage: Is mass transit in Pakistan built for the people or just for show?A panel discussion exploring the economic, environmental, and socio-cultural impacts of Lahore's Orange Line Metro project, featuring perspectives on urban planning, heritage conservation, and mass transit development in Pakistan.

Marvi Mazhar | Kya Imaartein Giraney Se Karachi Asal Halat Mein Aajaey Ga? | 6 feb 2020
Architect and heritage consultant Marvi Mazhar weighs in on Karachi’s large-scale demolition drives on Geo News. She argues that enforcing anti-encroachment orders without structured rehabilitation plans inflicts severe economic harm on working-class communities, urging authorities to prioritize social housing and urban planning over immediate teardowns.

Live chat session 15 with Marvi Mazhar | 2020
In the 15th live session hosted by CUBE EduTours, architect and heritage consultant Marvi Mazhar explores the delicate relationship between citizens, urban growth, and environmental decay in Karachi.

Ar. Marvi Mazhar Presentation - IAPEX 2020 by IAP Karachi Chapter

Drawing the Line: Art & Censorship | 2019
A panel discussion featuring Adeela Suleman, Marvi Mazhar, Amin Gulgee, and Muhammad Zeeshan at PeaceNiche | T2F in Karachi. The talk explores the boundaries of creative freedom, self-expression, and the challenges artists face when navigating social norms and government censorship in Pakistan.

Marvi Mazher: Reviving Heritage: Redesigning the Jamshed Memorial Auditorium | 2019
Architect and heritage consultant Marvi Mazhar presents her work on redesigning and restoring the historic Jamshed Memorial Auditorium in Karachi. The project focuses on preserving the venue's cultural legacy while reviving it into a functional space for community gatherings, talks, and arts events.

Marvi Mazhar - Architect and Heritage Consultant | 2018
Architect and heritage consultant Marvi Mazhar discusses the role of spatial design, urban planning, and heritage preservation in fostering social transformation and community identity in Pakistan.
Hosted by Idara e Taleem o Aagahi (ITA) as part of their educational vision for social progress

Marvi Mazhar | 1st Speaker of IAK TALKS 2018 | IAK Talks | IAM Karachi

Shikarpur’s Heritage: Not for Sale | 2017
A panel discussion hosted at The Second Floor (T2F) exploring the rich history and architectural heritage of Shikarpur—a city established in 1617 A.D. The talk delves into the pioneers of its early establishment as a major trade hub, while highlighting the modern-day threats, degradation, and urgent need for preservation of its historic urban fabric.

Reclaiming Public Spaces: Story of Pakistan Chowk-Marvi Mazhar | 2016
Urban spaces belong to the community. This project highlights the restoration of Pakistan Chowk in District South, Karachi, aimed at rehabilitating heritage zones and giving back accessible outdoor spaces for social interaction and recreation.
Project Designed by: Heritage Consultant Marvi Mazhar
Supported by: Sharmila Faruqui

Arrival City: Making Heimat – Karachi Chapter, Venice Architecture Biennale | 2016
What does "home" mean in a city defined by migration?
In"DAM ArrivalCity Film 08 Karachi Making Heimat", Marvi Mazhar explores Karachi as a dynamic metropolitan port city and a haven for displaced communities—focusing on the Afghan refugee experience over the last four decades

This is the fourth session in the Emergent Practices series, initiated by The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute (LMSAI), Graduate School of Design (GSD), and supported by Architecture Foundation, India, and The South Asia GSD Student Group. The series is hosted by Harvard Prof. Rahul Mehrotra.

The Role of Minorities in Founding Karachi | Karachi Mini-Documentary Karachi, a sprawling metropolis on the southern coast of Pakistan, boasts a rich and diverse history shaped by many cultures and communities. Throughout history, the city has been a melting pot of ethnicities, languages, and religions, contributing to its unique character. The role of minorities in Karachi's history has been significant, as they have played an integral role in shaping the city's economic, social, and cultural fabric. Hindu, Christian, Sikh, and other minority communities have coexisted alongside the majority Muslim population, contributing to the city's trade, education, and artistic endeavors. Before the partition of India in 1947, Karachi was home to a substantial Hindu population, which contributed immensely to the city's economy and cultural landscape. However, the partition led to a mass migration of communities, altering Karachi's demographics. Despite challenges and tensions over the years, Karachi's minorities have persevered, contributing to its vibrant tapestry, from trade and industry to arts and academia. Their resilience underscores the city's pluralistic ethos and its commitment to inclusivity, making Karachi a testament to the harmonious coexistence of diverse communities.

Tabadlab Policy Roundtable 15 - Is Climate Change Going to Stifle Urban Growth?

Emergent Practices in South Asia #4: Pema & Marvi Mazhar

Ecology & the Coastline | Marvi Mazhar | Khalid Malik | Green Hour EP 4 | FM91

Women and Girls in Public Spaces: Urban Design: As part of Aahung's series on 'Women and Girls in Public Spaces' we spoke to Marvi Mazhar on city design and gender.

Heritage Buildings in Karachi | Marvi Mazhar Exclusive Interview on News 360