Assignment Name: Research on Potential Housing Adaptations in Response to Climate Change in Bangladesh

Country: Bangladesh

Client Name: Habitat for Humanity International-Bangladesh

The “Research on Potential Housing Adaptations to Climate Change in Bangladesh” was a comprehensive study commissioned under Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh’s KOICA-funded project. This initiative sought to identify and evaluate innovative materials, construction methodologies, and building design elements to support climate-resilient housing solutions for vulnerable populations in Bangladesh. Conducted across the districts of Mymensingh and Jamalpur, the research aimed to enhance the capacity of rural and urban communities to adapt to the increasing challenges posed by climate change, such as flooding, cyclones, salinity intrusion, and temperature extremes.

Key objectives of the study included:

• Collection of innovative materials: Identifying locally available and innovative materials suitable for climate-resilient construction.
• Compilation of construction methodologies and design elements: Documenting construction techniques and design adaptations to improve resilience.
• Community acceptability survey: Understanding the acceptability of these materials and methods among target communities.
• Development of a climate-smart home prototype: Designing a practical and affordable model home for demonstration in project areas.
• Key messages for training modules: Developing educational materials for community training on climate-smart housing techniques.

The study employed mixed methods, combining quantitative surveys, qualitative discussions, and technical assessments to ensure a holistic understanding of the local context and needs. Findings from this research directly informed Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh’s interventions, contributing to the development of sustainable, climate-resilient housing solutions.

The following services were strategically designed and executed to provide a comprehensive understanding of climate-resilient housing solutions, empower communities through training, and deliver actionable outputs to support sustainable housing adaptation in Bangladesh.

Inception and Planning:

• Conducted an initial meeting with Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh to finalize objectives, methodologies, and timelines.
• Developed a detailed inception report outlining the study design, data collection tools, and reporting framework.

Literature Review and Secondary Data Analysis:

• Reviewed national and international literature on climate-resilient housing, including guidelines from the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) and other relevant standards.
• Compiled case studies and best practices to contextualize findings.

Secondary Research on climate-smart materials and construction methodologies:

• Prepared a comprehensive collection of innovative and locally available materials, documenting their properties, affordability, and environmental impact.
• Evaluated construction methodologies and design elements for their resilience to climate hazards, including flooding, wind, and temperature extremes.

Data Collection:

• Conducted 392 household surveys across urban and rural communities in Mymensingh and Jamalpur to understand housing patterns, material usage, and climate adaptation practices.
• Facilitated Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with experts from the Housing and Building Research Institute (HBRI), National Housing Authority, and local government officials.
• Organized Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with community members, construction laborers, and local contractors to gather insights into local preferences and constraints.

Prototype Design Development:

• Designed a climate-smart home prototype tailored to the needs of the target communities. The design incorporated: i) Climate-resilient materials such as compressed stabilized earth blocks and ferrocement, and ii) Features for improved ventilation, flood protection, and thermal insulation.
• Delivered detailed construction drawings in AutoCAD, including structural details and material specifications.

Training Module Development:

• Identified key messages for a community training module, focusing on affordable and climate-resilient housing practices.
• Provided visuals and technical explanations to support community learning and capacity building.

Training Beneficiaries:

• Conducted training sessions for beneficiaries in the target communities to build awareness and capacity for adopting climate-smart housing practices.
• Delivered hands-on demonstrations and simplified technical explanations to ensure understanding and adoption of proposed solutions.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Analyzed quantitative and qualitative data to assess the acceptability and feasibility of proposed materials and designs.
• Delivered a comprehensive final report, including: i) A summary of innovative materials and methodologies, ii) Community perceptions and acceptability levels, iii) The climate-smart home prototype design, and iv) Recommendations for program improvement.

Draft Article Preparation:

• Prepared a draft article summarizing research findings and key recommendations for publication or advocacy purposes.
• Highlighted the significance of climate-resilient housing solutions and the project’s role in advancing adaptation practices in Bangladesh.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Presented findings and the prototype design to Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh and other stakeholders for validation.
• Incorporated feedback into final deliverables to ensure practical relevance and alignment with community needs.

Key Deliverables:

• Detailed report on innovative materials and construction techniques.
• Prototype design for a climate-smart home with construction-ready drawings.
• Survey report on the acceptability of innovative materials in target communities.
• Training module content for climate-smart construction practices.
• Training sessions conducted for beneficiaries to build awareness and capacity for adopting climate-smart housing practices.
• Final project report with actionable recommendations for climate-resilient housing solutions.
• Draft article summarizing research findings and recommendations for publication or advocacy purposes.

This assignment not only provided actionable insights into housing adaptations for climate resilience but also laid the foundation for practical, community-focused interventions in Bangladesh’s most vulnerable areas.