Assignment Name: Feasibility Study on Urban Disaster Hazards and Risks

Country: Bangladesh

Client Name: Caritas Bangladesh

The Feasibility Study on Urban Disaster Hazards and Risks was commissioned by Caritas Bangladesh to assess the current situation in urban slums, specifically in the cities of Dhaka and Gazipur, to understand the urban disaster risks and hazards that slum dwellers face. The study focused on understanding the socio-economic conditions of these communities, their vulnerabilities to climate-related disasters, and the effectiveness of existing infrastructure and services. The study was particularly concerned with informal settlements in these cities, where internal migration has led to overcrowding and poor housing conditions.

The project, Secours Catholique – Caritas France,  aimed to generate data on housing quality, sanitation, water access, and waste management in these urban slums. The findings were intended to inform future interventions to improve the resilience of these communities to disasters and climate impacts, while ensuring that interventions are inclusive and sustainable.

Our feasibility study assessed how urban resilience could be strengthened in these areas by mapping current challenges, identifying vulnerabilities, and proposing appropriate solutions that could be implemented by Caritas Bangladesh and other development actors. This study also aimed to explore the possibilities for policy advocacy, to ensure the recognition of these informal settlements in the broader urban planning and disaster management discourse.

DM WATCH study team was tasked with conducting the Feasibility Study on Urban Disaster Hazards and Risks in the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Gazipur City Corporation (GCC), focusing on the urban poor and slum dwellers in these areas. The primary objective was to assess the current status of disaster risks, socio-economic conditions, housing quality, and service provision (including WASH and waste management) in these communities. The study was designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges, existing gaps, and potential interventions for reducing vulnerabilities and improving resilience to climate change and disasters.

The specific objectives of the feasibility study were to:

• Assess the socio-economic conditions of slum dwellers in DNCC and GCC, including income levels, housing quality, and access to basic services.
• Evaluate the existing infrastructure, including water supply, sanitation services, and waste management, and identify areas for improvement.
• Identify urban disaster hazards and risks (e.g., waterlogging, flooding, fire risks, poor drainage) and assess the vulnerability of these communities.
• Recommend feasible interventions that can be implemented to improve disaster resilience, housing quality, and access to basic services.
• Propose strategies for collaboration with local stakeholders and government authorities to enhance urban resilience in these areas.

Our team provided a range of services during the feasibility study, including:

Planning and Consultation:

• Engaged with Caritas Bangladesh, SCCF, and other local stakeholders to finalize the study scope, methodology, and sampling strategy.
• Reviewed secondary data, including government policies on urban resilience, disaster risk reduction (DRR), and housing development to guide the study.

Data Collection:

• Developed and pre-tested data collection tools, such as household surveys, focus group discussion (FGD) guides, key informant interview (KII) templates, and observation checklists.
• Conducted field surveys, interviewing 810 households in DNCC and GCC, and organizing 14 FGDs and 25 KIIs with local authorities, community leaders, NGOs, and disaster management experts.
• Physical assessments were conducted in selected slums to evaluate housing conditions, water quality, and sanitation status.
• 6 case stories were conducted to capture interesting cases.

Data Analysis:

• Analyzed both quantitative and qualitative data to identify socio-economic trends, housing quality, access to services, and disaster risks.
• Employed statistical tools for quantitative data analysis and thematic coding for qualitative data to extract key insights related to community vulnerabilities and resilience.

Reporting and Recommendations:

• Produced a feasibility report that presented the findings on socio-economic conditions, infrastructure, disaster risks, and community needs.
• Delivered recommendations for disaster risk reduction (DRR) interventions, housing improvements, WASH services, and waste management strategies tailored to the needs of slum dwellers.
• Suggested feasible policy and infrastructure interventions to improve urban resilience, focusing on inclusive and sustainable development.

Dissemination and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Organized a stakeholder consultation workshop to present the study findings and discuss recommended interventions with Caritas Bangladesh, government representatives, and local partners.
• Ensured that key findings were shared with relevant stakeholders, including urban planning authorities and disaster management agencies, to facilitate collaboration in future urban resilience projects.

The findings and recommendations from this feasibility study will guide the design and implementation of resilient urban development programs, particularly focusing on improving the living conditions of vulnerable urban populations in Dhaka and Gazipur.