U
rban
D
emonstrators
Urban Demonstrators is a joint initiative of Altec Consultant Limited, IHE Delft in the Netherlands, and the Local Government Institute. It tests simple, nature-based solutions in communities to help urban areas manage water better, adapt to climate change, and build a safer, more sustainable future in line with the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100.
Keshabpur’s Green and Blue Spaces to Reduce Mental Stress
Being close to greenery and water helps people feel calm and supports a healthy ecosystem for plants and wildlife. This connection with nature improves both physical and mental well-being.
Keeping these benefits in mind, the Urban Demonstrators project led by Altec Consultant Limited brought new life to a once-dead river in Keshabpur, Jashore. The river was restored and transformed into a welcoming recreational park using nature-based solutions. At its heart, the project follows a simple belief: when we care for nature and use it wisely, nature gives back in many ways.
The project created green and blue spaces for everyone. People of all ages and backgrounds can relax, reduce stress, and enjoy nature, while the area also supports the local ecosystem and improves air and water quality, making the community healthier and more livable.
Raozan’s Black Soldier Fly and Plastic Recycling Initiatives
Waste in Bangladesh can be more than just discarded materials. It can become a valuable resource and even a business opportunity. With proper waste management, community training and awareness, small scale urban interventions can help the country move toward zero waste, zero plastic and zero poverty. The Urban Demonstrators initiative, led by Altec Consultant Limited and IHE Delft, the Netherlands, has successfully shown on a pilot basis in Raozan Pourashava, Chattogram how effective waste management can be turned into a business model that can be replicated across the country.
The Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens)
It is a common insect found in many parts of the world and is known for its ability to turn organic waste into valuable resources. Its larvae can transform food scraps and other organic waste into high-value animal feed and compost. This process also brings environmental benefits and strengthens the circular economy. It was one of the Urban Demonstrators’ initiatives to transform kitchen waste in Raozan into a valuable commodity.
Plastic Waste Recycling
The Plastic Waste Recycling Factory in Raozan shows how business and sustainability can go hand in hand. By collecting, sorting, and recycling plastic, the Urban Demonstrators initiative created income opportunities for marginalized locals, especially women, reduced plastic pollution, protected the environment, and promoted gender equality.
