Comparison of Climate Adaptation: Mangroves in the Philippines vs. Urban Flooding in Dhaka
1. Natural Hazards and Climate Change Impacts
Philippines: Coastal communities face storm surges, typhoons, and sea-level rise, which are intensified by climate change.
Dhaka: The city experiences urban flooding and waterlogging due to heavier monsoon rains, river overflow, and inadequate drainage systems.
Similarity: Both are vulnerable to water-related hazards that are increasing in frequency and severity due to climate change.
Difference: The Philippines focuses on coastal storms, whereas Dhaka deals primarily with inland, urban floods.
2. Areas and Communities Most Affected
Philippines: Low-lying coastal villages, fishers, and mangrove-dependent communities.
Dhaka: Informal settlements, low-income neighbourhoods in flood-prone zones like Mirpur, Jatrabari, and Rampura.
Similarity: Vulnerable communities, often with fewer resources, are disproportionately affected.
Difference: In Dhaka, the vulnerability is compounded by high population density and urban infrastructure issues, not just geography.
3. Local Adaptation and Coping Methods
Philippines: Communities restore mangroves to buffer storm surges and protect livelihoods.
Dhaka: Residents cope through:
Cleaning drains to prevent blockages
Elevating homes and critical assets
Using submersible pumps for waterlogging
Temporary relocation during floods
Similarity: Both rely on nature-based solutions or community-led preventive measures.
Difference: Dhaka’s approach is more engineering- and household-focused, while the Philippines emphasizes ecosystem restoration.
4. Institutional and External Support
Philippines: Government programs, NGOs, and international donors support mangrove restoration, provide funding, training, and technical guidance.
Dhaka: Government initiatives include drainage improvements, pump installation, canal restoration, and dengue prevention campaigns. NGOs run awareness programs and mobilize local volunteers.
Similarity: Both contexts involve multi-stakeholder collaboration between communities, government, and NGOs.
Difference: In Dhaka, support often targets urban infrastructure and emergency response, whereas in the Philippines, it focuses on ecosystem-based adaptation.
5. Reflection
Both cases illustrate that vulnerable populations bear the brunt of climate hazards.
Community participation is critical in both settings for adaptation and resilience-building.
The key lesson is that solutions must be context-specific: nature-based solutions like mangroves work for coastal areas, while urban engineering and drainage solutions suit densely populated cities like Dhaka.