Structural strengthening of settlements in the coastal areas of Bangladesh

Abstract

The coastal areas of Bangladesh are prone to cyclone disasters for the geographical,economic and environmental background. It is recognized that Bangladesh will be adversely affected by climate change effects with more frequent and intensified cyclones. The loss and damages occurred from such disasters are hard to overcome for a developing country like this. Considering the context mitigation cannot be practical solution,but adaptation may be the feasible option to deal with future disasters. Strengthening the coastal settlements physically to reduce vulnerability can be a means of adaptation solution.This may be achieved by building/repairing dwelling houses with integration of local good practices and implemented engineered techniques, and available sustainable materials; so the damages of assets and physical environment can be reduced.Improving community facilities like road network,community based cyclone shelters, strong schools and hospitals etc, strong houses to act as community refuge can upgrade the quality of the built environment focusing on disaster risk reduction.This approach may be carried with the physical developments of the locality,rather than in the reconstruction phase after every disaster; so the resilience of communities is increased and risks are reduced.