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TACKLING URBAN CHALLENGES IN BANGLADESH’S EXPANDING MUNICIPALITIES
Rapid and largely unplanned urbanisation in Bangladesh has put growing pressure on smaller municipalities, or pourashavas. As populations grew, green spaces disappeared, public areas shrank, and communities became more vulnerable to flooding and other environmental stresses. In Keshabpur, Jashore District, and Raozan, Chattogram District, severe flooding and water management challenges, caused by poor drainage, sanitation, and waste disposal practices, threatened freshwater supplies and raised the risk of flash floods, together posing urgent challenges for the communities.
The Urban Demonstrators Initiative for Climate and Water Resilient Urban Infrastructure in Bangladesh is designed to accelerate practical improvements in places where communities cannot afford to wait 5 to 10 years for large-scale infrastructure. By restoring and preserving public spaces, the initiative strengthens water storage, cleaning, cooling, and the maintenance of urban infrastructure to improve flood resilience and urban liveability. At the same time, it supports Bangladesh’s Delta Plan 2100 by linking on-the-ground action with broader national climate resilience goals. Through the integration of Nature-based Solutions, practical capacity building, and innovative financing, the initiative presents a scalable model for sustainable urban development in Bangladesh.
The Urban Demonstrators Project was officially launched at the International Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 Conference in Dhaka in May 2022. Under the Partners for Water programme, it was implemented by IHE Delft, the Netherlands, and Altec Consultant Limited (ACL), together with other collaborating partners, with pilot interventions in Keshabpur and Raozan. Built on action-based research, the approach is designed to guide similar efforts in 100 other municipalities in the coming years. By focusing on horizontal upscaling, the initiative moves beyond isolated projects, promoting practical solutions that can be replicated widely to strengthen urban resilience and sustainability.
OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Sami W. Chowdhury, managing director of ACL and project leader of the Urban Demonstrators Initiative, said that addressing these interconnected challenges is crucial for the well-being of Bangladeshis living in these areas and for the long-term sustainability of the environment. Yet, many local governments lack the financial resources and community engagement needed to tackle these problems directly, so they often turn to donors for support. Securing the large amounts of funding required for large-scale urban infrastructure projects is a slow and difficult process for smaller municipalities, and few succeed in raising the necessary funds.
Projects at this scale, while vital, often take years to get approved and even longer to implement. “In our country, these large-scale infrastructure projects are subject to extensive bureaucratic procedures, which can significantly delay their implementation. The approval process is complex, requiring multiple stages of review and authorisation, resulting in a lengthy timeline before projects can commence,” he added.
As a result, infrastructure improvements do not happen as quickly as they are needed. In some cases, more than a decade passes before the pourashavas see meaningful change. Meanwhile, residents continue to suffer from inadequate urban services for water and waste management, and from the lack of parks and other green, natural areas in their neighbourhoods.
EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES TO LEAD CHANGE
Chris Zevenbergen, advisor to ACL and former Professor of Flood Resilience of Urban Systems at IHE Delft, said, “This funding model challenges the idea that only large sums of money are needed to improve urban environments. Instead, it empowers local communities to take ownership and participate in the development process by co-designing, co-financing and implementing small-scale, climate-resilient infrastructural improvements.”
The approach empowers cities, their communities, and environments to drive their own development through tailored interventions. By rapidly scoping and implementing projects within a year, it establishes a scalable model that can be replicated across Bangladesh, encouraging citizen participation, creating more liveable cities, and building trust between communities and local governments.
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.
