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Paper short abstract

This proposed study will examine how households affected by 2025 floods in Lahore responded differently to urban flooding. Using an adaptive capacity framework it will explore the vulnerability of households and their capacity to transform via mobilizing economic, social, and political capital.

Paper long abstract

Amid surging climate uncertainty, the 2025 floods in Pakistan present an important case to examine how affected households respond differently to large-scale devastating floods. Hence, this proposed research based on the adaptive capacity framework will aim to explore why some flood-affected households become increasingly vulnerable, while others are able to absorb impacts, adapt to new conditions, or pursue more transformative life trajectories. The research is grounded in the premise that households’ differential abilities to mobilize economic resources, social ties, and political networks, primarily shape their responses to such crisis.

The research will focus on urban flood-affected settings in Lahore district, Punjab, with particular attention to the rising challenge of urban flooding associated with rapid urbanization, inadequate drainage systems, and socio-spatial inequalities. By situating households along a continuum of absorptive, adaptive, and transformative capacities, the research aims to examine how displacement, livelihood disruption, and access to institutional support influence resilience outcomes over time.

Methodologically, the study will generate insights into how social cohesion, informal networks, and local political engagement may enable adaptive and transformative responses, even under conditions of repeated climate stress. The research will contribute to the panel’s broader objective of critically reflecting on crisis responsiveness by moving beyond static notions of resilience.