Simita Roy
University of Asia Pacific, Bangladesh
Title: LIVE WITH THE FLOW: Issues and Interventions in ecologically responsive design approach for coastal areas in Bangladesh
Biography
Biography: Simita Roy
Abstract
The coastal region of Bangladesh covers almost about 20% of the country and more than 30% of the cultivable lands of the country. The major problem faced by the coastal region is undeniable and unequivocal climate change which leads to permanent inundation, drainage congestion, salinity intrusion and frequent storm surge inundation. About 53% of the coastal areas of Bangladesh are affected by salinity. The agricultural production of these areas is much lower than the other areas of Bangladesh. Shyamnagar upazilla, Satkhira, is one of the vulnerable coastal areas to the climate change, which was severely affected during the cyclone Aila, 2009. This paper is based on field observations and design thinking in creating a symbiotic relationship between the built environment and the community aiming towards resilience in the context of a changing climate. Discussions regarding design approaches in making a community self resilient in an ecologically responsive way will be presented by focusing on four issues - cyclone, salinity intrusion, climate change and decreasing rate of mangrove. To achieve the expected result the basis was ‘Function Follows Flow’. Primary data and secondary data have used to understand all kinds of flows such as ‘flow of water’, ‘flow of wind’ in and around the site. The expected result of this research will give a vision to make a vulnerable indigenous community self resilient in an ecologically responsive way in case of climate change.