The coastal regions of Bangladesh are the most vulnerable to natural disasters like cyclones. In the event of a natural disaster, families in rural disadvantaged communities of coastal areas often lose their only asset, their dwelling. The dwellings are made out of local materials like corrugated sheets, timber, golpata, etc. These materials can shelter against daily weather, however, fail during disasters like cyclones. This leaves the dwelling units in an uninhabitable state after a cyclone. Most families cannot reach cyclone shelters in time, while others choose not to go as they have to leave their livestock and valuables back home. The salinity levels in the coastal regions are also much higher compared to the other parts of the country and are continually increasing due to the climate crisis. While some families may be more affluent to use materials like bricks, these are unsustainable when it comes to production and sensitive to the increasing coastal salinity. Hence, cement blocks are found to be more sustainable with respect to cost, production, and use. The CODEC-Affordable Resilient Housing Program is promoting sustainable rural construction by applying affordable and resilient structural techniques and using eco-friendly materials - cement blocks. It fulfills the need for a safe and permanent structure that is saline-resilient. Therefore, the architectural initiative will help communities adapt to the adverse effect of the climate crisis along the coastal regions.

Through the housing intervention CODEC introduces cement blocks as a building material. Cement blocks are a comparatively new material in coastal Bangladesh. Hence, the locals are unable to trust and understand the material enough to use it for their homes. CODEC’s intervention is working to build trust between communities and the new material. Currently, most rural families along coastal Bangladesh live in homes that are in dilapidated condition, with poor sanitation facilities and below-standard living conditions. Due to climate crisis, the coastal weather is becoming more unfavorable to the way the homes are built traditionally. Due to harsher yearly storms, most families have to reconstruct their homes every year but are unable to do so due to financial problems. The use of cement blocks can increase a built form’s life span by making it more resilient against increasing salinity. Coupling this new material with sustainable and affordable structural techniques, the housing intervention hopes to address the financial and climatic issues at the same time. The CODEC - Affordable Resilient Housing Program recognizes that housing is a basic right and, aims to make it sustainable and affordable for vulnerable coastal communities. As more housing interventions take place through the program, more people in the community become aware of its benefits. Furthermore, an overall upgradation of the living standard by employing affordable methods of construction will lead to the long-term development of rural coastal communities. 

CODEC is an NGO that has been working with coastal communities since its inception in 1985. As a result of an extended period of engagement with the people and landscape of coastal Bangladesh, CODEC has the experience, understanding, and trust required to develop adaptation strategies with communities regards to the climate crisis concerning the coast.  CODEC’s Microfinance Program has been running in the Chitalmari district of Bagerhat, Bangladesh since 2001. Some of the families, who were microfinance clients were observed to be living in perilous conditions, unable to upgrade their living standards. Over time, as housing became an issue for the communities, CODEC’s Knowledge Management, Program Development & Technical Team took the initiative to collaborate with the community to develop housing solutions with the support of the microfinance program. The team is headed by Architect Quazi Wafiq Alam. Alam completed his MSc in Sustainable Architecture from Aalborg University, Denmark, and has been working in the development sector for more than seven years in coastal Bangladesh. The team also contains two more assistant architects, H M Hossenur Rahman and Nowshin Matin. Rahman has prior experience in community architecture and Matin is a fresh graduate but has worked with several disadvantaged communities since her student life. The team also includes engineers; Tanzibul, Ekramul, Al-Amin, and local masons all of whom are very experienced in working along the coastal landscape.

Link to community Development Centre