Apartments in Lahore are on the rise. While most families prefer living in residential apartments only, there are those who prefer the ones on top of shopping malls.

Shahid (name changed to protect privacy) has been settled in the United States, while his parents are based in Lahore. When his father died last year, he had the responsibility to look after his mother. The two-kanal house she was living in seemed difficult to maintain.

Shahid was forced to look for a comfortable, manageable apartment where his mother would feel secure. He found one at The Mall of Lahore on Tufail Road which has a big thriving departmental store, 24-hour electricity which means the elevator is working at all times, a parking facility and availability of other services at their doorstep. Apartments in the city are quite expensive, by average standards. But there are people who see value for money.

The Mall of Lahore has 60-odd luxury apartments. Ads of the fully furnished ones frequently appear in newspapers.

The number of high-rises has increased in the city over time. Why an apartment building? According to Syed Ather Ali Kazmi, President, Lahore Real Estate Advisors, the people want to buy land, have their own house but feel threatened by lack of security.

"Apartments offer many things -- security, parking, entertainment, swimming pool, gym and a lot more," he says.

Acquiring an apartment on payment in installments has its own charm. People are expected to pay dues within a period of three years. "Prices of apartments vary between Rs7,000 per sq/ft and Rs13,000 per sq/ft," Kazmi says.

"There are those that offer Rs5,500 per sq/ft as well but then they are C-class. A fairly reasonable apartment is available between Rs9,000 per sq/ft and 13,000 per sq/ft."

Factors such as your surroundings, entries and exits, the road width and commercial activity are other important considerations."

Kazmi believes the apartments that are solely for residential purposes are popularly preferred, "Those on top of shopping malls have not been received well by families."

He also urges on the government to re-think high-rises. "There are more offices than apartments. This is not done."

Nishat group is making Emporium Tower opposite Trade Centre, Johar Town. LDA has announced luxury apartments and a health club at Health & Finance Centre, Johar Town. About 40 kanals have been reserved for multi-storey apartments. Tall buildings are under construction on Raiwind Road as well.

There are many high rises on the Main Boulevard, Gulberg, which are home to commercial activity on their 1st two floors; the rest of the buildings are usually vacant. Tall, glass buildings are also on the increase in the city.

Architect and academic Rabia Ezdi sees glass buildings as unfriendly to the environment. "Because the weather is hot most months of the year, glass heats up. That means more energy consumption."

Muneeb Haider, Head of Registration & Technical Development, Pakistan Green Building Council, an organisation that sets up guidelines for green building, says that buildings should be "purpose-built and responsive. In other words, they should be occupied.

"Orientation of buildings is very important. The part facing south should have as little glass as possible because that is where the sun is at its strongest. Kitchens should never face south, washrooms may. There are glare control devices available now to diffuse light."

Haider further says, "The problem with Lahore is that the owners prepare a 3D image of plazas and sell the shops and floors to overseas Pakistanis. There are 10-12 storey buildings. Fewer buildings are owner-operated -- for instance Eden Towers on Main Boulevard, Gulberg. The local council -- in this case, LDA -- should revise its bylaws."

Maintenance of buildings is an issue. "There is no regulating body in place. Every building should have a management team that would see to it that the building is safe. Nobody is bothered about the buildings’ health."

He also stresses on thinking of new ways to address energy needs.

Senior city reporter Ali Raza sees rising land cost behind Lahore going vertical. "Minimum price of land in the city is Rs15 lac per marla. A 5-marla land is a dream for most people. At many places, the construction of a high rise is banned because the provision of parking is a must in such buildings."