Temperature in Dhaka rising ‘alarmingly’

The average temperature in Dhaka city is on the rise at an alarming rate. Terming this as an effect of climate change, experts at a seminar yesterday said unless the capital of 17 million comes up with sustainable green and blue spaces, the effect will be more adverse in the coming days.

The seminar, “Mitigation strategies for the urban micro-climate of Dhaka mega city”, was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic and Studies (BIISS), Dhaka University and Curtain University of Australia at the BIISS auditorium in the capital.

Presenting the keynote paper, Dr Ashraf Dewan of Curtain University of Australia said Dhaka is facing the classic example of urban heat island (UHI) effect. UHI refers to a phenomenon where urban areas get significantly warmer than rural areas.

Dr Dewan, Dr Ruhul Salim of Curtain University, Dr Towhida Rashid of Dhaka University and Dr Mahfuz Kabir of BIISS are jointly conducting a study under grant from the World Bank to carry out a research on the effects of microclimatic

changes on Dhaka. The study hasn’t been completed yet.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Dewan said land coverage is changing very rapidly in Dhaka city and this contributes directly to the effect of UHI. “The lack of green space, as well as blue space, is a contributory factor to the UHI.”

He said with an urban growth rate of more than 4 per cent annually, Dhaka, which already hosts more than 17 million people, is one of the fastest growing cities in Southern Asia, and is projected to accommodate more than 20 million by 2025.

“The sheer number of people living in the city means that the negative consequences of climate change are likely to be felt by a large number of people, especially the urban poor who live in flood-prone and water-logged areas,” he said.

During the seminar, researchers studying the impact of climate change on Dhaka predicted that the city will be affected in two major ways: flooding and drainage congestion, and heat stress.

Architect Iqbal Habib said high urban growth rates and high urban densities have already made Dhaka more susceptible to human-induced environmental disasters.

He said nearly 60 per cent of the area in the city have poor or no drainage and are prone to frequent flooding.

Habib said Rajuk, the custodian of Dhaka’s development, could not implement DAP though it was taken up in the 90s. “Like municipalities, city corporations should have the authority to deal with city issues. Most of the city corporations in the world have the authority to formulate their city development plans, implement those and enforce the law.”

He said the government should entrust the two city corporations with the responsibility of implementing DAP, instead of Rajuk, for its timely and proper execution.

 

Temperature in Dhaka rising alarmingly

The average temperature in Dhaka city is on the rise at an alarming rate. Terming this as an effect of climate change, experts at a seminar yesterday said unless the capital of 17 million comes up with sustainable green and blue spaces, the effect will be more adverse in the coming days. The seminar, Mitigation strategies for the urban micro-climate of Dhaka mega city, was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic and Studies (BIISS), Dhaka University and Curtain University of Australia at the BIISS auditorium in the capital. Presenting the keynote paper, Dr Ashraf Dewan of Curtain University of Australia said Dhaka is facing the classic example of urban heat island (UHI) effect. UHI refers to a phenomenon where urban areas get significantly warmer than rural areas. Dr Dewan, Dr Ruhul Salim of Curtain University, Dr Towhida Rashid of Dhaka University and Dr Mahfuz Kabir of BIISS are jointly conducting a study under grant from the World Bank to carry out a research on the effects of microclimatic changes on Dhaka. The study hasnt been completed yet. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Dewan said land coverage is changing very rapidly in Dhaka city and this contributes directly to the effect of UHI. The lack of green space, as well as blue space, is a contributory factor to the UHI. He said with an urban growth rate of more than 4 per cent annually, Dhaka, which already hosts more than 17 million people, is one of the fastest growing cities in Southern Asia, and is projected to accommodate more than 20 million by 2025. The sheer number of people living in the city means that the negative consequences of climate change are likely to be felt by a large number of people, especially the urban poor who live in flood-prone and water-logged areas, he said. During the seminar, researchers studying the impact of climate change on Dhaka predicted that the city will be affected in two major ways: flooding and drainage congestion, and heat stress. Architect Iqbal Habib said high urban growth rates and high urban densities have already made Dhaka more susceptible to human-induced environmental disasters. He said nearly 60 per cent of the area in the city have poor or no drainage and are prone to frequent flooding. Habib said Rajuk, the custodian of Dhakas development, could not implement DAP though it was taken up in the 90s. Like municipalities, city corporations should have the authority to deal with city issues. Most of the city corporations in the world have the authority to formulate their city development plans, implement those and enforce the law. He said the government should entrust the two city corporations with the responsibility of implementing DAP, instead of Rajuk, for its timely and proper execution.