PKSF hosted an expert consultation meeting on ‘Climate Resilient Housing for Coastal People of Bangladesh’ as part of the GCF-funded ‘Resilient Homestead and Livelihood Support to the Vulnerable Coastal People of Bangladesh (RHL)’ project on 21 November 2023 at PKSF Bhaban. The primary objective of the meeting was to investigate possible paths for creative, robust coastal housing solutions for coastal communities that are vulnerable to climate change. In order to improve climate resilience, the meeting focused on climate-resilient technologies in the conventional housing sector.

Dr Nomita Halder ndc, Managing Director of PKSF, presided over the meeting. Dr Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed, Deputy Managing Director, PKSF, provided the context of the meeting by outlining the characteristics of climate resilient housing and its significance for the project.

In the beginning of the meeting, Dr Nomita Halder shared her personal journey in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. She mentioned that there is an urgent need to support coastal people in the face of climate change, particularly disadvantaged people who do not get adequate support otherwise.

During his initial talk on climate-resilient coastal housing, Dr AKM Nuruzzaman, General Manager (Environment and Climate Change), PKSF, identified possible areas for improvement in the architecture and construction of the homes. The meeting covered a variety of climate hazards in coastal regions as well as construction and design options of houses to withstand natural disasters.

Md Fazlul Kader, Additional Managing Director, PKSF, underlined the need for dynamic housing design for coastal communities in his closing remarks. He suggested taking the local context into account rather than employing a prototype house design. He further stated that the project participants’ active engagement will be ensured. Priority will be given to remote locations, local expertise, and locally sourced building materials.

Individual architects, experts from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) as well as representatives from Economic Relations Division (ERD), Ministry of Finance Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (RAJUK), Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), and Institute of Architect Bangladesh (IAB), and PKSF’s Partner Organizations attended the meeting.