Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience in Coastal Towns

The purpose of this event is to provide a comprehensive capacity-building program tailored for LGED and local government officials, town planners, and engineers from 22 coastal towns in Bangladesh. This program will focus on developing the participants’ understanding of NBS and their ability to integrate these approaches into local infrastructure planning to enhance climate resilience. 

Event description

Bangladesh’s coastal region is particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, facing threats such as sea-level rise, cyclones, storm surges, salinity intrusion, and coastal erosion. These hazards place significant strain on local infrastructure, affecting the livelihoods and well-being of millions of people. For coastal towns, building resilience to these challenges is paramount to safeguard communities and support sustainable development. 
 
GCA, in partnership with Institute of Water and Flood Management, BUET is providing technical support ADB and LGED’s Coastal Towns Climate Resilience Project. Under the technical support, GCA is identifying and prioritizing the NBS for 4 coastal towns. 
 
Nature-based solutions (NBS) offer an innovative and sustainable approach to addressing these challenges. By harnessing the power of natural ecosystems, NBS can mitigate climate impacts, enhance biodiversity, improve water management, and provide cost-effective alternatives to traditional engineering solutions. NBS approaches, such as mangrove restoration, wetland conservation, and green infrastructure integration, can protect critical infrastructure while delivering co-benefits that support local communities. 
 
However, despite the recognized potential of NBS, the coastal towns in Bangladesh currently lack the necessary capacity, resources, and access to high-resolution climate data to fully integrate these approaches into town planning and infrastructure development. To address these gaps, there is a critical need for targeted capacity-building efforts that can equip local practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to effectively implement NBS across coastal towns. 

Purpose of the Event
The purpose of this event is to provide a comprehensive capacity-building program tailored for LGED and local government officials, town planners, and engineers from 22 coastal towns in Bangladesh. This program will focus on developing the participants’ understanding of NBS and their ability to integrate these approaches into local infrastructure planning to enhance climate resilience. 
 
Through lectures, hands-on training, and knowledge-sharing sessions, the event will offer participants insights into: 

• The fundamentals of NBS and its relevance to climate resilience in coastal regions 
• Best practices for NBS implementation, with a focus on successful case studies from Bangladesh and other countries 
• Accessing and interpreting climate data for use in planning processes 
• Strategies for incorporating NBS into town masterplans and infrastructure projects 
• Practical tools and methods for assessing the cost-effectiveness and co-benefits of NBS 

Expected Outcomes 
By the end of the event, participants will: 

• Have a solid understanding of NBS principles and how they apply to local climate challenges. 
• Gain hands-on experience in accessing and using climate data to inform NBS planning. 
• Be equipped with practical tools to assess and prioritize NBS options within their towns. 
• Develop a preliminary action plan for incorporating NBS into their town’s masterplans. 
• Establish connections with peers and experts to support ongoing knowledge sharing and collaboration.