ISSN 2348-1218 (print) International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations ISSN 2348-1226 (online) Vol. 8, Issue 1, pp: (139-145), Month: January - March 2020, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
Governing Urban Climate in Bangladesh: An insight to Dhaka Megacity in Bangladesh 1 1
Dr. SM Shafiqul Alam, 2Dr. Mohammad Zulfiquar Hossain
Associate Professor, Department of Public Administration, Islamic university, Kushtia, Bangladesh &
Researcher, SUDE-VET and EquJust, the Faculty of Education and Culture, Tampere University Tampere, 33014, FinlandE-mail:smalamuta@gmail.com 2
Professor, Department of Public Administration, Islamic university, Kushtia, Bangladesh
Abstract: Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is the largest and densely packed megacity in the world, has become an extremely vulnerable megacity to climate change in Asia and World as well. On the other hand, due to the increase of industrialization, electricity consumption and motor vehicle use, generation of greenhouse gases (GHG) and air pollution, Dhaka are now at danger level. Moreover, Dhaka is the most vulnerable flood-prone city both from the rivers and rainfall beyond the capacity of the city. On the other hand, in practice, governance of Dhaka megacity has become complex due to the multiplicity and lack of coordination among its agents. Consequently, Dhaka city dwellers have been facing multifarious problems, e.g., water-logging, poor sanitation, irregular waste disposal, massive traffic jams, inadequate supply of drinking water, scarcity of electricity and gas, unplanned housing, widespread poverty, proliferation of slums and squatter settlements, inadequate educational and health facilities, high degree of air and water pollution and a deteriorating law and order situation, etc. These problems intensified the climatic problem of the city. Failing to address the climate change impact will be a great hindrance to economic development and the existence of the city in the long-run. In this circumstance, a question rose that how Dhaka Megacity governance does adapts and implements the issue of climate change? This paper discussed the general scenario of urban climate governance in Bangladesh and existing policies, adaptations, and mitigation programs have taken in Dhaka for climate change in specific. Keywords: inadequate educational, health facilities, climate change in specific.
1. INTRODUCTION Climate Change is the greatest global threat to sustainable development and natural resource management that we face today. Asia is the most populous and arguably the most vulnerable continent in the world because of the highest risk of climate impacts and the low adaptive capacity (WWF, 2009). Bangladesh is likely to be one of the worst sufferers due to climate change -- an apprehension that grips many. Especially, cities in developing countries are at risk of the impact of climate change. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is a largest and densely packed megacity in the world. Due to the over population, critical geographic location, unplanned human and industrial settlement, unplanned land use and infrastructural settings and environmental degradation, Dhaka has become an extreme vulnerable megacity to climate change in the Asia and World as well. On the other hand, due to increase of industrialization, electricity consumption and motor vehicle use, generation of greenhouse gases (GHG) and air pollution of Dhaka is now in danger level. Moreover, Dhaka is most vulnerable flood prone city both from the rivers and rainfall that beyond the capacity of the city. During the last 20 years, the city has faced three major floods, each causing huge damage and economic loss. The governance, development and management setting of Dhaka City are under a multiple organizational jurisdictions and responsibilities, where as many as 40 institutions are involved for its affairs. In practice, governance of Dhaka megacity has become complex due to the multiplicity and lack of coordination among its agents. In consequence, Dhaka
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