¶¶Òõ¾«Æ·

AS BANGLADESH accelerates towards middle-income status, its urban landscape is transforming. Towering buildings in Dhaka and industrial zones flourishing in Chattogram, Khulna and beyond reflect this growth. But beneath this urban expansion lies a growing vulnerability to climate change. While Bangladesh has earned global recognition for climate adaptation, particularly in rural areas, its cities lag dangerously behind in resilience. The urgent question is: can Bangladesh turn ambition to action to build climate-resilient cities that safeguard both its people and its future?

Ìý

Climate paradox: urban growth vs vulnerability

BANGLADESH’S urban growth is a double-edged sword — symbolising economic aspiration while heightening vulnerability to climate change. By 2050, nearly 50 per cent of the population is expected to live in urban areas, the strain on infrastructure, housing and public services will only intensify.

According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2020, Bangladesh ranks seventh among countries most affected by extreme weather events. Urban resilience is thus not a luxury but a necessity. Dhaka, one of the world’s most densely populated cities, is gripped by regular flooding, heatwaves and escalating water scarcity. Coastal cities like Chattogram and Khulna are on the front lines of sea-level rise and intensifying tropical storms, with millions already facing the daily consequences of climate disruption.

Crucially, the burden of climate change falls disproportionately on the urban poor. More than half of the urban population lives in informal settlements, often in flood-prone areas, without reliable access to basic services like clean water, sanitation and healthcare. Efforts to build climate resilience in cities often focus on infrastructure and technology, but without addressing the deep-rooted socioeconomic inequities that leave millions on the margins, resilience remains a distant dream.

Ìý

Moving beyond technocratic solutions

MUCH of the conversation around urban resilience tends to gravitate towards technical solutions: flood-resistant housing, upgraded drainage systems and smart urban technologies. While infrastructure and technology are critical, they are insufficient on their own. Cities are more than systems to be optimised — they are social ecosystems. For true resilience, we must rethink how cities function and prioritise the people most affected by climate change.

Consider Dhaka’s sprawling informal settlements, where urban poor face not only the direct impacts of climate change but systemic exclusion from adaptation efforts.Ìý Upgrading these areas with flood-adaptive infrastructure is essential, yet legal and financial barriers, particularly around land tenure, persist. Without secure land rights, marginalised communities remain exposed to climate risks, unable to invest in their long-term resilience.

Ìý

People-centred approach to urban resilience

TO BUILD truly resilient cities, Bangladesh must adopt a bottom-up, community-led development approach. Local action, driven by the needs of vulnerable populations and supported by government and NGOs, is essential. Such inclusive urban development not only reduces climate risks but also provides livelihood opportunities.

Climate adaptation efforts must prioritise marginalised groups — ensuring that they are not just recipients of aid but active participants in shaping their futures.

Ìý

Urban climate crisis: diverse and localised challenges

THE challenges faced by Bangladesh’s cities are diverse and complex. Dhaka contends with extreme flooding and heat, exacerbated by unplanned urban expansion and inefficient drainage systems. Chattogram, a major port city, grapples with the dual threats of coastal flooding and land erosion. Khulna, in the southwest, is especially vulnerable to sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion and tropical cyclones.

Meanwhile, in Rajshahi, a rapidly growing city, innovative solutions like urban forestry and waste management offer glimpses of what climate-resilient urban development could look like. The climate challenges of Sylhet, Rangpur, and Barisal may differ in specifics but share a common thread of vulnerability. Bangladesh’s urban resilience strategy must, therefore, account for these local nuances.

Ìý

Embedding the Sendai Framework at ground zero

TO ADDRESS these challenges, Bangladesh must embrace the principles of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030). This global framework advocates proactive disaster preparedness and integrating climate resilience into urban planning from the ground up.

This approach starts with forward-thinking urban planning. This involves early-stage planning for housing, transport systems, energy supply and green spaces, all designed to withstand and adapt to the impacts of climate change. In cities like Dhaka and Chattogram, this means designing flood-resilient infrastructure, integrating sustainable drainage systems, and zoning regulations that limit high-risk development on floodplains and coastal areas.

However, this approach cannot be limited to these two megacities. Incorporating the Sendai Framework’s principles into Khulna, Barisal and other smaller cities’ urban development will be essential to ensure that resilience is built into every aspect of their growth.

Ìý

Governance reforms: missing link in urban resilience

AT THE heart of Bangladesh’s urban resilience challenge is a fragmented and inefficient governance system. Multiple agencies with overlapping responsibilities result in inaction and missed opportunities. Corruption, political patronage and weak enforcement of zoning laws exacerbate vulnerabilities, especially in climate-sensitive areas.

The National Plan for Disaster Management sets ambitious goals for urban resilience, but they often stall due to institutional inertia. For true progress, Bangladesh needs a radical overhaul of governance. Establishing urban resilience authorities for major cities could streamline decision-making, enhance accountability and ensure that climate risk is integrated into all aspects of urban planning.

Governance reforms must also prioritise the decentralisation of decision-making, allowing local governments more autonomy to manage climate risks. A more transparent and accountable governance structure will not only facilitate the implementation of resilience strategies but also build public trust — a necessary ingredient for long-term sustainability.

Ìý

Technology and financing

BANGLADESH has already deployed advanced systems like early-warning systems for cyclones and mobile alerts for floods, but millions of citizens are excluded due to the digital divide and poor infrastructure. Technology alone cannot compensate for the absence of resilient housing or effective drainage systems.

Low-cost, locally adapted technologies — such as flood-resistant housing, community-based solar energy and affordable water filtration systems — can offer scalable solutions. These must be paired with substantial investments in basic infrastructure to ensure that all citizens benefit, not just those in well-connected urban centres.

Financing resilience will require significant investment. International climate finance, such as the Green Climate Fund, will be pivotal in supporting Bangladesh’s urban adaptation efforts. The country should also explore innovative financial mechanisms like municipal resilience bonds and climate bonds. Green bonds have been successfully implemented in cities across the Global South to fund large-scale climate adaptation projects.

Ìý

Measuring resilience

THE term ‘resilience’ has become a buzzword, but without concrete metrics, it risks being reduced to a vague aspiration. In Bangladesh’s context, resilience must be measurable, encompassing not just physical infrastructure but also economic and social well-being.

For example, Rajshahi’s urban forestry and circular economy initiatives show how sustainable development can go hand-in-hand with resilience. These initiatives provide a roadmap for how cities can generate sustainable livelihoods while enhancing environmental resilience. However, scaling these solutions to larger cities like Dhaka presents significant challenges, such as land scarcity and entrenched waste management practices.

Success should also be measured by social outcomes. Improvements in the living conditions of marginalised communities, the provision of land tenure and access to climate-adaptive infrastructure are key metrics. Economic resilience must also be considered, particularly through job creation in emerging sectors like green technology and climate-smart agriculture.

Ìý

Nature-based solutions

NATURE-BASED solutions, such as the restoration of wetlands, mangroves and forests, offer another avenue for building urban resilience. These ecosystems act as natural buffers against climate impacts while also providing economic opportunities through eco-tourism and sustainable resource management. Bangladesh’s extensive mangrove forests in the Sundarbans have long served as a defence against tropical storms and cyclones, but urban encroachment has diminished their effectiveness.

Urban planning must integrate nature-based solutions not only as a climate strategy but also as a means of fostering sustainable economic development. However, real estate interests often clash with environmental protection, particularly in urban areas where land is a premium commodity. For nature-based solutions to succeed, strong regulatory frameworks are needed to curb illegal land grabs and protect vulnerable ecosystems.

Ìý

Global best practices, localising solutions

WHILE global best practices such as the 100 Resilient Cities Network offer valuable insights, they must be adapted to Bangladesh’s unique context. Urban models like New York’s 15-Minute City, where essential services are accessible within a short distance, offer promising concepts. Yet, implementing such models in Bangladesh’s densely populated cities with complex transport issues will require localised adjustments and substantial investment in infrastructure and services.

Additionally, global initiatives such as the Making Cities Resilient 2030 and the Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund provide Bangladesh with technical support, resources and knowledge-sharing platforms that can accelerate urban resilience efforts.

The most promising solutions will come not from cookie-cutter approaches but from a deep engagement with local communities, tailored to the realities on the ground. Decentralising services, fostering community-driven resilience projects and promoting low-tech, high-impact interventions can turn abstract global frameworks into concrete, actionable results.

Ìý

Governance and the role of the private sector

THE private sector has a crucial role in urban resilience, but its involvement must be accompanied by strong regulatory frameworks. Yet, this potential is too often untapped or misdirected. For example, unchecked real estate development has exacerbated urban vulnerabilities, with luxury high-rises springing up in flood-prone areas while essential infrastructure goes neglected. However, when guided by robust regulations, the private sector can become a vital partner in resilience-building.

Public-private partnerships can help finance critical infrastructure projects, while businesses can contribute cutting-edge technologies, such as geospatial data platforms, that enhance disaster preparedness. Moreover, governance at all levels — national and local — must be strengthened to ensure effective policy enforcement. Transparent and accountable governance systems can help prevent corruption, which has historically undermined urban planning initiatives in Bangladesh. But for this partnership to succeed, it must be grounded in accountability and guided by the principle of long-term sustainability rather than short-term profit.

Ìý

Roadmap for climate-resilient cities

BANGLADESH’S urban future is precarious but filled with potential. To build truly climate-resilient urban centres, Bangladesh must adopt a systems-level approach that addresses the interconnected challenges of governance, social equity, technology and financing. Collaboration across sectors — government, civil society and the private sector — is essential for success.

The global frameworks — such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction — provide a blueprint, but these must be tailored to Bangladesh’s unique socio-political landscape. Localised, community-led solutions will be the key to transforming abstract policies into tangible, lasting change. Bangladesh has demonstrated its resilience before. Now, with bold political will and action, it can build cities that not only survive climate change but thrive in the face of it.

Ìý

Md Zahurul Al Mamun is a climate change researcher and analyst. Uswatun Mahera Khushi is an assistant professor of local government and urban development, at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University.