This case study is part of our Asia Pacific city climate financing resource guide.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) – also known as Dhaka Uttar City Corporation – is an autonomous body that governs 54 northern wards of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, to better manage local services. DNCC is one of two municipal corporations in Dhaka, the other being Dhaka South City Corporation. It has a tropical wet and dry climate with a distinct monsoonal season, an annual average temperature of 25°C (77°F), and monthly means varying between 18°C (64°F) in January and 29°C (84°F) in August.
- Population: 5,979,537 (in 2022)
- Total administrative area: 19,700 hectares
- GDP: US$$258.2 billion (both Dhaka North and South combined)
Most significant climate hazard and its impact
Dhaka North is vulnerable to the urban heat-island effect due to its densely populated city center, with some urban hotspots more than 10°C (18F) higher than the surrounding countryside. With the number of dangerously hot days a year estimated to double by 2050, the impacts of extreme heat in Dhaka will also intensify. Between climate change and rapid urbanization, North Dhaka has ended up with rising temperatures and very few green spaces and shade to provide relief from the heat.
Adaptation strategies
Green spaces are a significant component of urban planning that are often overlooked in Bangladesh, as spaces such as parks, urban woodland, and other vegetation – all of which are crucial for controlling temperatures in a city – have shrunk by 66% over the last three decades in DNCC. Therefore, Dhaka North is increasing urban green space by 70% and public toilet access by 80%, ensuring millions more residents will have access to recreational areas and clean, sanitary bathroom facilities.
The city is also developing 16 parks, three playgrounds, and rainwater harvesting facilities while improving pavements and cycling routes. The green spaces will increase climate resilience to heatwaves and flooding, reduce greenhouse emissions, and create areas that are both equitable and accessible.
Building Resilience through Urban Regeneration Project
Main objective
DNCC has launched a tree plantation program under the urban regeneration project to reduce heat as well as gas pollution, citywide. The goal is to increase green coverage in informal settlements under DNCC to save poor people from extreme heatwaves as well as to increase green shade and biodiversity, reduce heat and air pollution, and develop strong bonds between DNCC and its partners, like Town Federation.
Tree plantation in urban poor settlements. Image source: Dhaka North City Corporation
Targeted areas and vulnerabilities
The inhabitants of the slum area came from different districts of Bangladesh, especially from coastal areas. The area is environmentally critical as elderly people, children and those with disabilities are exposed to both extreme heat in summer and waterlogging in the rainy season, becoming vulnerable at home and when moving from one point to another. Fire hazards are a big threat to the community too.
Program’s core components and funding
This program will be implemented by the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), Green Savers, and Community Town Federation under the coordination of DNCC. The project includes several activities including such as:
- Providing regular guidance, monitoring temperatures, humidity and pollution, and sharing reports with DNCC and other stakeholders by CAPS;
- Planting grafted tress in response to demand from poor, urban poor communities, plus providing technical advice; and
- Forming a volunteer group and developing their skills to nurse the trees, such as monitoring and watering by the Community Town Federation (DNCC) with the support of community.
DNCC is executing these transformative projects through a dynamic blend of funding sources including government allocations and contributions from international partners, in addition to its own contributions. This multi-faceted approach underscores DNCC's ability to engage with diverse funding channels. For example, the tree plantation and green open space development project – a vital initiative – has benefited from the combined support of the Government of Bangladesh, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and its current partnership with C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group.
Community engagement
The DNCC government has involved key stakeholders – such as corporation officials, community representatives and local organizations – to plan the project so that it can be implemented effectively.
Challenges include:
- Lack of coordination among the different organizations, city agencies and other stakeholders including government bodies (eg landownership duality problems with different agencies);
- The rapidly growing population increasing demand for housing, infrastructure, and services;
- Unplanned development of slums and squatters with haphazard structural developments; and
- Political and influential pressure, policy, and strategy.
Gaps include:
- Lack of skilled manpower and capacity within internal departments, especially for urban landscaping and data management;
- No management module for urban green spaces;
- No planning and design with implementation strategy;
- Lack of institutional capacity, especially within DNCC;
- No public consultation, involvement, and awareness; and
- No effective land use and zoning regulation.
Opportunities include:
- Public-private partnerships;
- Integrated urban greening projects (eg construction of parks, playgrounds, rainwater harvesting facilities, recreational areas with public amenities);
- Improving urban environment and reducing the level of environment pollution;
- Construction and operation of hygienic, eco-friendly public toilets in all busy areas including the city center;
- Walkways, sidewalks, and cycle routes for both mobility and recreation as climate adaptation action; and
- Inclusiveness (eg community participation in the planning and implementation phrase).
Next steps
At present, DNCC's budget allocation is carried out on a need-based foundation, with resources adjusted as requirements arise. Anticipating the formal implementation of DNCC's Climate Action Plan in the near future, it is envisaged that a dedicated budget allocation will be established to underpin this transformative plan's effective execution. This strategic approach will further strengthen the city corporation's resilience initiatives and solidify its position in the realm of climate action.