Yumna Imtiaz, a PhD candidate in the Environmental Studies Program at the University of Oregon, recently presented her research at the prestigious Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) conference, held at the Halifax Convention Centre in Nova Scotia, Canada. Her research paper, titled “Progress or Cold Stress: Understanding Behavioral Drivers Behind the Shift to Modern Housing in Northern Pakistan,” explores a critical yet under-discussed issue facing mountain communities in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region. Yumna, from Hunza, examines the shift from traditional earthen and stone homes to modern concrete buildings and how this transition is leading to colder indoor environments and increased thermal stress during harsh winters. By analyzing both the social motivations and the technological shortcomings behind these changes in housing, Imtiaz aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how development is affecting everyday life. Her study draws from interdisciplinary methods, combining environmental science, architecture, and community-based perspectives to identify sustainable and culturally informed alternatives. The EDRA conference is a global gathering of researchers, designers, and community planners committed to improving the relationship between people and the built environment.