Resilience of coastal communities to climate change in Bangladesh: Research gaps and future directions

Abstract

The assessment of resilience for people, places, and systems to climate-change hazards is essential for understanding how to reduce disaster risks. Globally, a number of resilience assessment methodologies have been developed and implemented by a variety of entities, including national and local organizations, donor agencies, and academic researchers. In Bangladesh, although a number of resilience studies have been conducted, it has never been determined whether these assessments rightfully addressed conceptual understanding, methodological approaches, and disciplinary underpinnings, and maintained compliance with on-going research communications standards. To unpack this gap, we systematically reviewed 38 articles to characterize how the resilience to climate change, of coastal communities in Bangladesh, is being assessed. To operationalize the study, we have presented a brief overview of the assessment tools and then applied an analytical framework containing six criteria: comprehensiveness of dimensions, scalar relationships, temporal dynamism, addressing uncertainties of climate change by modeling and scenario-making, participatory approaches, and action plans. The overview analysis shows diverse traditions of methodological underpinnings, and reveals authors' often incomplete conceptual understandings of resilience. Results of the review analysis reveal extensive inadequacy regarding multiple dimensionality, scalar and temporal scales, and more importantly, addressing the uncertainty of climate change. In relation to comprehensiveness, current literature has failed to consistently comply with global research communication in regard to the criteria of institutional and infrastructural dimensions. More attention needs to be placed on temporal and scalar dynamics. Most importantly, the uncertainty issue is virtually overlooked in the literature, and iterative processes and the development of alternate states of planning through scenario analysis are also critical, for risk reduction and adaptation to climate-change impacts. Substantial emphasis should be given to include all possible stakeholders in the planning and implementation of any climate-change adaptation or mitigation program.