Effectiveness of selected planned adaptations in micro level: Evidence from coastal community in Bangladesh

Rahman, M., Haque, A., Azad, A., Akter, M., Huma, H., Shuvo M., Peal, U., Rahman, M

Published in ‘Progress in Disaster Science ’

Abstract

A community level field survey is conducted in the coastal zone of Bangladesh to assess the effectiveness of five selected planned adaptations against storm surge in micro scale which are already proved effective in macro scale. The five selected planned adaptations are: cyclone shelter, plantation, paka & semi-paka house, loan, and communication infrastructure. The selected study area is well-known for storm surge hazard. The study site and sample size are selected by using Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) and cluster sampling methods. Semi-structured household questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), and Key Informative Interviews (KII) were conducted for understanding community perceptions on adaptations. Effectiveness of planned adaptations are assessed by applying an Index developed by using five-point Likert scale. Barriers against the adaptations are assessed by probabilistic analysis and represented by Venn diagram. Interrelationships among the adaptations are assessed through causal relation network. The study results show a mismatch of effectiveness of planned adaptations between the macro scale and micro scale. It is found that cyclone shelter, paka & semi-paka house, loan, and communication infrastructure do not exhibit a similar level of effectiveness in micro scale as these are expected to be effective in macro scale. Among the five selected planned adaptations, plantation is the only adaption which is found to be effective in both micro scale and macro scale because of its high economic return for the community. The reasons for the mismatch of this effectiveness between macro scale and micro scale are – barriers and causal relation for these adaptations in micro scale are not considered in macro scale. A comprehensive analysis is recommended to ensure a similar level of effectiveness of an adaptation both in macro scale and in micro scale.