Rethinking the ‘built environment’ in aftermath of Bangladesh’s historic floods

Prioritising flood resilience, adopting sustainable practices and engaging with communities can yield long-term benefits beyond only withstanding the impacts of floods

The recent floods in Bangladesh have once again underscored the vulnerability of our built environment (the term refers to human-made conditions and is often used in landscape architecture, urban planning, public health, etc) to natural disasters. 

As a nation that regularly experiences heavy monsoon rains and the consequences of climate change, it is imperative that we, as architects and urban planners, critically reassess our approach to designing and managing the built environment. 

The floods have caused immense damage to homes, infrastructure and livelihoods – highlighting the need for a more resilient and adaptive approach to urban and rural planning. 

Bangladesh, with its low-lying topography and dense population, is particularly susceptible to flooding. 

According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board, over 20% of the country was submerged during the recent floods, affecting more than 100 lakh people. The economic losses are estimated to be in the billions, with thousands of homes destroyed or severely damaged. 

The frequency and intensity of these floods are likely to increase due to climate change.

One of the first steps that architects and planners must take is to prioritise flood-resilient design in both urban and rural areas. Traditional building practices in Bangladesh often do not account for the increasing severity of floods, resulting in ill-equipped structures that fail to withstand such events. 

Architects need to incorporate flood-resistant materials and construction techniques. For example, the use of elevated plinths, stilts and floating foundations can help reduce the risk of water entering homes. Additionally, materials such as concrete and treated wood, which are more resistant to water damage, should be prioritised in flood-prone areas.

Urban planners must also rethink the layout of our cities and towns to improve flood management. The unplanned expansion of urban areas has led to the loss of natural drainage systems, exacerbating the effects of floods. 

In Dhaka, for instance, the encroachment of wetlands and the filling of water bodies for construction have significantly reduced the city’s ability to manage floodwaters. Planners must prioritise the preservation and restoration of natural drainage systems, such as rivers, canals and wetlands to enhance the city’s capacity to absorb and channel excess water. 

Green infrastructure, such as permeable pavements, green roofs and rain gardens, should also be integrated into urban design to reduce surface runoff and promote groundwater recharge.

The role of land use planning in flood management cannot be overstated. In many cases, the most flood-prone areas are also the most densely populated, putting large numbers of people at risk. 

Planners must develop land use policies that discourage settlement in high-risk areas and encourage development in safer locations. This may involve rezoning certain areas, creating buffer zones along rivers and coastlines, and implementing stricter building codes in flood-prone regions. 

In rural areas, where many communities rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, planners should promote practices that reduce soil erosion and improve water retention, such as terracing, agroforestry and the use of cover crops.

In addition to physical design and planning measures, architects and planners must also engage with local communities to build awareness and resilience. Community organisations and NGOs can play a key role here too. 

Many people living in flood-prone areas are unaware of the risks and lack the resources to protect their homes and livelihoods. Architects and planners can play a crucial role in promoting simple, cost-effective measures to reduce vulnerability. 

This could include training on how to elevate homes, create emergency kits and develop evacuation plans. Community-based approaches to flood management, where local knowledge and resources are harnessed to design and implement solutions, have proven effective in many parts of the world and should be explored in Bangladesh.

Data and technology also offer new opportunities for improving flood resilience in the built environment. The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing can help planners identify high-risk areas as well as monitor changes in land use and water levels in real time. 

These tools can also be used to model the potential impacts of different flood scenarios and assess the effectiveness of proposed interventions. Architects can use Building Information Modeling (BIM) to design structures that are not only flood-resistant but also energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable. 

The integration of smart technologies, such as sensors and automated systems, can further enhance the ability of buildings and infrastructure to withstand and respond to floods.

Collaboration between different stakeholders is essential for creating a flood-resilient built environment — this includes engineers, government agencies and community organisations.

The government must lead in enforcing policies that promote flood resilience while providing the necessary funding and resources for implementation. The private sector, including developers and construction companies, should be encouraged to adopt flood-resistant practices and invest in green infrastructure. 

The recent floods have served as a stark reminder of Bangladesh’s vulnerabilities in the face of climate change. However, they also present an opportunity for architects and planners to rethink the design and how to manage our built environment. 

Prioritising flood resilience, adopting sustainable practices and engaging with communities can yield long-term benefits beyond only withstanding the impacts of floods but also contribute to the well-being of our people and the environment.

The challenges are immense but with the right strategies and a commitment to collaboration, we can build a better future for all. And the responsibility lies with all of us—architects, planners, policymakers and citizens.

Sketch: TBS

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Sketch: TBS