Greening Bangladesh’s Cities: A Collaborative Approach to Nature-Based Solutions

On 9 February 2025, government officials, academia, policymakers and young professionals discussed ways to implement Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in urban settings across Bangladesh at the 'Multi-Stakeholder Workshop on Urban Nature-Based Solutions in Bangladesh'. Organised by IUCN, the workshop brought together 45 participants, including seven female and 38 male attendees, along with seven youth leaders. 

Through the Urban Nature-based Solutions in Bangladesh: Catalogue of Measures and Aspects of Scaling Up project, supported by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), IUCN has been working with key stakeholders to create practical guidelines for mainstreaming NbS into urban development and planning to increase resilience to climate and disaster impacts. During the workshop, Mr ABM Sarowar Alam, Programme Manager, IUCN Bangladesh, emphasised the necessity of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure their feedback is incorporated into the urban NbS compendium being developed under the project. 

"NbS is not solely applicable to rural areas, it holds immense potential for densely populated cities such as Dhaka," stated Dr M. Feisal Rahman, Acting Country Manager at GCA. He underscored that is in alignment with Bangladesh’s National Adaptation Plan, which outlines the goals and actions needed to build the country’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Presentations from academic representatives focused on policy frameworks, cost-benefit assessments, and strategies for implementing NbS in urban settings. Participants proposed solutions such as rooftop and vertical gardening to enhance urban greenery and provide social benefits. The restoration of neglected water bodies was highlighted as essential for maintaining ecological balance, with a call to designate a portion of urban land as forests to support biodiversity. 

Concerns were raised about the lack of public participation in conservation efforts, emphasising the need for greater community engagement and policy prioritisation of environmental restoration over rapid urban expansion. Participants stressed the importance of integrating NbS into urban master planning and equipping young professionals with the skills needed for implementation. Challenges in policy execution were also addressed, particularly the preference for grey infrastructure at the municipal level. Participants called for clear implementation guidelines, proactive government ownership, and capacity-building initiatives for local officials. Financial and economic considerations, including cost-benefit analyses, were recognised as crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability of NbS interventions.

The workshop concluded with a call for continued collaboration among government agencies, urban planners, and local communities. "This workshop marks the beginning, not the end. We must translate these discussions into actionable policies to create a more sustainable and resilient Bangladesh," Mr ABM Sarowar Alam stated, reaffirming IUCN’s commitment. With recommendations from experts and a structured roadmap for the future, the workshop provided a solid foundation for integrating NbS into Bangladesh’s urban planning framework. 

Building on the feedback received, IUCN will develop a comprehensive urban NbS compendium featuring twenty carefully selected nature-based interventions from across Bangladesh. These interventions will address seven key urban challenges, including floods and waterlogging, heat risks, droughts, cyclonic winds, storm surges, coastal/tidal floods, landslides and erosion, and salinity intrusion. 

Each documented solution will look to generate multiple benefits for communities, the economy, and the environment. The urban NbS compendium is envisioned to be an inspirational resource for stakeholders, offering valuable insights and practical strategies for implementation.