Bangladesh - Geo-information for urban development
Country / Region: Bangladesh / South Asia
Focal point: Adaptation to climate change in urban areas
Begin of project: January 1, 2018
End of project: December 31, 2022
Status of project: June 13, 2023
The eastern edge of Dhaka
Source: BGR
In Bangladesh, geological information on subsurface conditions is only recognized to a limited extent by urban planning and development authorities. This has already resulted in numerous negative developments in urban areas such as foundation failures, flooding or subsidence. Because of the lack of information, areas for industrial sites or housing are often designated in areas unsuitable for such land use due to unfavourable subsoil properties. The effects of climatic changes, that encourage the inner migration of people to urban areas and further increase the demand for suitable settlement land, amplify this situation.
Cities are responding to high population pressure by growing in width and often in height. The demands on the subsoil are considerably greater in the latter case and strategic urban planning at different spatial scales requires profound knowledge of the subsoil conditions, even in already urbanised areas. For urban planning based on geo-information, however, reliable basic data, instructions for action and sensitisation at various levels is missing.
Unfinished building, foundation failure
Source: BGR
The aim of the joint project with the project partner Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) is to strengthen the GSB as a service provider for the use of geoscientific data and information in the field of land use and urban development. The goal is to work towards improved consideration and integration of geological knowledge in the processes of urban development planning. A systematic scientific analysis of hazard potentials exerted both by subsurface and surficial conditions is a prerequisite for this endeavour. Therefore, specialised GSB staff is trained in the application of modern scientific methods in the field and in the use of respective software.
The project is located in Dhaka at the partner institution GSB. The GSB is subordinate to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR) and represents the only administrative authority in Bangladesh with a nation-wide mandate in the geoscientific sector. Hence, in addition to strengthening GSBs technical capacity, the project paid special attention on improving the exchange of existing geoinformation between the GSB and different urban planning authorities.
In this phase, the project worked on six intervention areas for piloting and obtaining geoinformation: Faridpur, Kushtia, Barisal, Sirajganj, Khulna, Satkhira
Source: BGR
The closing event of the project (National Seminar) in December 2022 was attended by more than 270 representatives of the government of Bangladesh, the German embassy in Dhaka and guests from urban and development planning authorities and universities.
Major project results in the fields of remote sensing, seismic hazard analysis and engineering geology were presented by GSB staff. Hazard potentials related to earthquakes, flooding and land subsidence were scientifically analysed to derive statements on the suitability of the building ground for various landuse.
The project Geoinformation for Urban Planning and Adaptation to Climate Change (GPAC) is part of the core topic Climate and Energy - Just Transition in the field of action Sustainable Urban Development, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) with 5 million euros. The partner authority GSB conducted the mirror project in line with GPAC.
Part of GSB and BGR project team at the closing event National Seminar
Source: BGR
In a previous phase Geo-Information for Urban Development (GUD), the metropolitan region "Greater Dhaka" was the subject of joint implementation. The Dhaka Urban Development Planning Authority, RAJUK, was the user of this successfully implemented project.
In the follow-up phase "Geoinformation for the Implementation of Climate Change Resilient Urbanisation (GICU)", the focus lies on quality assurance of geoinformation and its consideration in urban and spatial planning processes.
Project contributions:
Literature:
- Geomorphologic Map of Greater Dhaka City (PDF, 2 MB)
- Infrastructure Suitability of Greater Dhaka City (PDF, 2 MB)
Geoinformation for Urban Planning and Adaptation to Climate Change - Bangladesh (PDF, 2 MB)
Partner:
Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB)