Living on the water's edge: Prospects of hydrological urbanism in low- lying regions of Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh faces a significant climate change impact, with a large portion of its population vulnerable to flooding. For communities living near water, building houses on stilts or rafts may not be effective due to the intensity and suddenness of floods. The contemporary innovations in amphibious houses could play a crucial role in future flood adaptation. This study examines hydrological urbanism practices in Bangladesh, focusing on a case study of amphibious houses in Sirajganj built by the CORE Bangladesh project, led by Bangladeshi and Dutch stakeholders. It compares the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to living near or over water in Bengal and evaluates the feasibility of amphibious houses in terms of local materials, construction techniques, and adaptation to the local context, along with their economic and structural sustainability. A community flood resilience measurement framework developed by Adriana Keating and her team for measuring and assessing the flood resilience of communities has been used to assess the flood resilience of the project. The study also explores the possibilities of introducing amphibious housing near the water's edge in Bengal and how it can potentially help revive hydrological living as an answer to vulnerability to flash floods. © 2026 Iftekhar Ahmed. All rights reserved.