Author Tabitha Black Lock

Climate Change is one of the largest challenges facing the world today. It is a global problem that affects all life on the planet. However, it is commonly understood that some groups or regions are more vulnerable to climate change. In general, people in the global south, indigenous communities, those reliant on natural resources for livelihoods, and people living in poverty are most severely and immediately affected by the impacts of changing temperatures. Living in Bangladesh, a country greatly affected by climate change, and working at an organization that researches climate change adaptation and migration, has provided me with a unique opportunity to expand my knowledge of these issues. Therefore, I have chosen to write my fourth blog on climate change, adaptation and gender in Bangladesh.

Urbanization is a complex process, and there are many factors that push people to migrate to larger cities. Due in part to the increased rural to urban migration, among other factors of population growth, Dhaka has emerged as one of the fasted growing cities in the world. Of course, this continuous expansion has massive economic, environmental, political, social and cultural impacts on Bangladesh and its inhabitants. In Dhaka, one of the major concerns is housing. How will Dhaka sustain and accommodate the growing population? Where will people live? Who will be most affected by this influx in population? How will this affect the quality of life for the poorest members of society? How will modernization of housing affect the existence of historical and cultural buildings?  In this blog, I will touch on some of these issues in relation to gentrification, urban peripheries, heritage buildings, and the economy and culture of Bangladesh.