Flood management issues in Dhaka City: Identifying challenges and sustainable solutions

Dhaka, a megacity and the capital of Bangladesh encounters great flood management challenges. The present chapter offers a thorough examination of Dhaka’s flood management policies and deficiencies, utilizing an extensive array of secondary data sources and insights obtained at a seminar titled ‘Transformative Change in Stormwater Management of Dhaka City’. This seminar, which addressed contemporary flood management issues and offered answers, brought together eminent academics, professionals, and subject matter experts at United International University (UIU), Bangladesh. The main causes of urban flooding in Dhaka are discussed, including the lack of open space that allows water to seep in, the encroachment of land on primary drainage infrastructure that causes overflow, the lack of sufficient greenery that reduces evaporation, and the combination of land subsidence and inadequate planning. The chapter promotes sustainable approaches to flood risk management in Dhaka in response to these issues, highlighting the significance of enhanced green infrastructure and drainage, sustainable land use planning, appropriate waste management, and pollution control, as well as community awareness and readiness programs. By taking care of these important issues, Dhaka may become more flood-resistant and open the door to a more sustainable urban future.