Bangladesh : Strengthening Climate-Resilient Urban Development

Transport / Urban public transport

Water and other urban infrastructure and services / Other urban services - Urban flood protection - Urban policy, institutional and capacity development

Urbanization challenge. Bangladesh is urbanizing rapidly, exacerbating challenges in a country that has one of the highest population densities in the world. In 2020, about 63 million people, or 38% of the total population of 170 million, lived in urban areas, with the urban population projected to reach 58% by 2050 if urban growth trends continue. Although rapid urbanization has improved economic productivity through agglomeration, it has fueled demand for basic urban infrastructure and services and placed severe strain on the natural environment. Moreover, the recent economic downturn caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has seriously affected livelihoods, especially for the poor and vulnerable in urban and peri-urban areas. Bangladesh urgently needs to take action to sustain economic growth and improve the living environment, especially in rapidly growing large cities, during the COVID-19 recovery era and beyond.

Disaster risk management and climate change. Bangladesh, considered the world's largest delta, is a riverine country that is highly susceptible to climate-related and geophysical hazards because of its topography and geographic location. The land is low and flat, with more than half the country at an elevation of less than 6 meters above sea level. Bangladesh has been long exposed to numerous climatological (e.g., drought), hydrometeorological (e.g., cyclones, storm surges, and floods), and other geophysical (e.g., landslides and erosion) hazards. The country's funnel-shaped southern coast also makes it susceptible to cyclones and storm surges, medium to high levels of soil salinity, and sea-level rise. Floods, waterlogging, and drainage congestion have become major problems in urban areas, where they cause widespread and lengthy disruptions of roads, power supply, and water supply.

Sector strategies and policies. The TA is aligned with the Eighth Five Year Plan, which lists sustainable and inclusive urban development as a national priority and sets objectives for urban development and strengthening good governance and management at the municipal level. Urban development objectives include improving disaster risk management and climate resilience of cities, and ensuring adequate, safe, and affordable basic urban infrastructure and services such as water supply, sanitation, drainage, solid waste management, and transportation. The TA is also aligned with (i) Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, and (ii) Strategy for Governance Improvement of City Corporations, 2020 - 2030.

City region development. A "city region" is defined as an agglomeration of a large city (city corporation), surrounding pourashavas (secondary towns), and adjacent peri-urban areas (urban centers in upazilas [subdistricts]) with close economic and social links. The emergence of city regions is a growing reality in Bangladesh and provides an opportunity to deliver basic urban services more cost effectively and to a greater number of people. Through city region development, cities can become engines of inclusive and sustainable economic growth, whereby higher municipal revenues from improved urban services and economic growth and improved urban services from expanded public investment reinforce each other in a virtuous circle. City region development also contributes to improving livability in city regions by decongesting core cities and promoting inclusive economic growth through strategic planning, institutional development, and infrastructure investment that transcends restrictive administrative jurisdictions. Proper allocation of responsibilities and closer coordination among fragmented institutions in city regions and increased mobility within urban agglomerations are critical for city region development. Investment to improve city regions' resilience to climate and disaster risks triggered by floods, droughts, cyclones, and earthquakes is also essential.

Overview of previous city region development projects supported by ADB. ADB's completed first City Region Development Project and its ongoing Second City Region Development Project have contributed to enhancing the growth potential and living environment of Dhaka and Khulna regions by (i) upgrading roads, bridges, and bus terminals to reduce travel times and enhance road safety; (ii) improving storm drainage systems to reduce flooding; and (iii) upgrading water supply, sanitation, and waste management systems to meet basic urban needs. Despite progress made under both projects, key implementation issues remain related to (i) interagency coordination for decision-making, (ii) holistic analysis of growth potential and climate and disaster resilience, (iii) timely implementation of project activities of a diverse nature, and (iv) long-term sustainability of newly created assets.

By supporting the preparation of climate-resilient and balanced development plans for strategic city regions, the TA will contribute to the following ADB Strategy 2030 operational priorities (OPs): addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities (OP1); tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability (OP3); and making cities more livable (OP4). The TA will also contribute to strengthening governance and institutional capacity (OP6) by improving the capacity of relevant authorities to deliver better urban services. The TA is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly goals 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and 13 (climate action).

Growth potential and living environment in urban and peri-urban areas improved (Eighth Five Year Plan, July 2020June 2025: Promoting Prosperity and Fostering Inclusiveness)

Climate-resilient, balanced, inclusive, and sustainable urban infrastructure in strategic city regions improved

Strategic city regions with high growth potential and vulnerability to climate change impacts identified

Climate-resilient and balanced development plans for strategic city regions prepared

Capacity to develop innovative, sustainable, and climate- and disaster-resilient subprojects strengthened