Building Climate-Resilient Housing in Bangladesh
BRAC is addressing the rising risks of climate change by developing and implementing resilient housing solutions for vulnerable communities. The programme considers four key threats: strong wind, salinity, waterlogging and seasonal flooding, and heat stress. With direct consultation from homeowners, BRAC has developed practical design principles that respond to local needs. It has also constructed affordable houses in different regions and climatic contexts and provides loans to support household investment in safe housing.
Programme Components
Climate-Responsive Design: Houses integrate features that withstand strong winds, limit salinity damage, manage waterlogging, reduce heat stress, and endure flooding.
Community Consultation: Homeowners influence design choices, ensuring that models remain locally relevant and practical.
Construction and Deployment: BRAC builds low-cost houses across multiple regions, adapting designs to varied climatic conditions.
Access to Finance: Loan schemes help low-income families invest in resilient housing.
Strategic Impact and Value
Reducing Vulnerability: Resilient homes shield communities from climate risks and improve security.
Empowering Households: Active homeowner involvement creates ownership and trust in the housing models.
Scaling Affordable Solutions: Loans and low-cost construction expand access to safer housing.
Strengthening Resilience: By combining design innovation, consultation, and finance, the programme increases community capacity to adapt to climate change.