1.1. Introduction

Dhaka, the city of more than 12 million people is encompassing both rapidly globalizing economy and infrastructurally poor neighbourhoods. Every day people are migrating to the city looking for a better life and livelihood for various climatic reasons. Among the 5.4 million urban poor living in cities more than 63% live in Dhaka alone, high density of population with limited or no access to services make living conditions challenging.

Dhaka is a massive city with over 12 million residents. It has a combination of a fast-growing economy and many areas that lack proper infrastructure. Many people are moving to Dhaka each day seeking better job opportunities due to climate challenges affecting their rural homes, with over 5.4 million urban poor in total, 63% live in Dhaka. These high numbers, combined with limited access to essential services, result in very tough living conditions for many.

Imagine a huge city where every day, thousands of people move there because their farms have dried up due to climate change. Like a crowded train where some are lucky enough to have seats, but many have to stand, the city of Dhaka has both wealthy neighborhoods and areas where people struggle to find basic services like clean water and sanitation.

The future climate change pattern may impact Dhaka from flooding and creating heat island where temperature may become a few degrees higher than the surrounding areas.

Climate change is expected to worsen conditions in Dhaka, leading to possible flooding and creating 'heat islands,' which are areas that become significantly warmer than their surroundings due to urban development. This higher temperature can result in discomfort and health issues for residents, especially the poor.

Think of a city where buildings and roads absorb heat, making them much warmer than the nearby parks and open spaces. This is like walking in a concrete jungle on a sunny day—it can feel much hotter than in a park with trees. In Dhaka, as climate patterns change, the risks of flooding increase as well.

The research identified several coping strategies, people made physical modifications within built environment as well as making improvements at the neighbourhood level.

The research discovered various strategies that urban poor families are using to adapt to climate changes. These strategies include making physical changes to their homes and working together as neighbors to improve their living conditions. For instance, they raised their houses or built barriers to protect from water, showcasing their resilience.

Imagine living in a flood-prone area. You might raise your bed onto bricks to keep it dry and work with your neighbors to clear drains so water doesn’t pool in the streets. This collaboration demonstrates how communities come together to face challenges.

Households having more than one earning member in diversified professions did better during any event of disaster, social network helped people to get assistance during disasters and improved living conditions and livelihood opportunities.

Families with multiple earners who have different job skills tend to recover better from disasters. They can pool resources and support each other during tough times, making their community stronger. Social networks play a crucial role in helping individuals access assistance when needed.

Think about how a support group works. If one person loses their job, but they have a friend who is skilled in another trade, that friend can help them find work. A community with diverse skills works similarly, where they all lean on one another during difficult times.

The future challenges of adaptation planning in city level needs to be creative, understanding and establishing connections between diversity and complexity, any adaptation measure for the urban poor has to work towards bridging the gap from present experiences.

As urban areas continue to grow, planners need to come up with innovative and comprehensive solutions that take into account the diverse needs of the population. Adaptation strategies must connect new ideas with the lived experiences of the urban poor to effectively address their unique challenges.

Imagine designing a new playground: it should not just be fun but also accessible for all children, regardless of their abilities. Similarly, urban planners must create solutions that adapt to the real-life challenges faced by the urban poor, linking creativity with practical needs.

Recognising and supporting the knowledge accumulated in responding to disasters through planning initiatives can create a favourable environment for the poor and our future generation.

Valuing the experiences and strategies that communities develop in response to disasters can lead to better planning processes. By incorporating these insights, future generations can benefit from improved strategies that cater to the needs of vulnerable populations.

Think about the wisdom of elders in a community who know the best ways to cope with seasonal storms. Listening to their experiences can help form better future plans, much like creating disaster preparedness programs that incorporate lessons learned from past events.

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