Flood risk management in Dhaka: a case for eco-engineering approaches and institutional reform

The main objective of this study is to propose recommendations for addressing flood risks in Greater Dhaka. This is based on an analysis of flood risks facing the city, historical analysis of decision-making about flood risk management, and institutional and political economy analysis.

The study was initiated at the request of the Government of Bangladesh and carried out in close consultation with the Ministry of Environment and Forests—the focal agency for the Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund (BCCRF), with the Dhaka North and South City Corporations and RAJUK. It contributes to the goals of the Country Partnership Framework 2016–20 prepared in collaboration by the Government of Bangladesh and the World Bank (World Bank 2016). At present, the World Bank is undertaking an analysis of options to engage in eastern Dhaka and also developing a broader platform for engagement in the city. The study also informs these endeavors. It is fully aligned with the preparation of the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, a collaborative long-term planning initiative being undertaken by Bangladesh’s Planning Commission and the Netherlands. Further, it is consistent with the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2009, which highlights the urgency of strengthening resilience to urban flood risks.