Dhaka Experts Urge More Green Spaces to Combat Extreme Heat

Dhaka, a megacity grappling with rapid urbanization, faces a growing threat from extreme heat, a reality underscored by a recent study presented at BRAC University. The findings, discussed at a roundtable on "Rethinking Urban Health Systems: From Research to Policy," paint a stark picture of heat vulnerability across the city, with certain neighborhoods disproportionately affected.

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The areas represent diverse land-use patterns and include some of Dhaka’s major commercial centres, as highlighted in a policy brief titled “Advancing Urban Health Systems Through Evidence”.

The research, part of the CHORUS program, utilized detailed spatial analysis to pinpoint areas like Uttara–Airport–Bashundhara, Farmgate, Gulistan–Shahbagh, and Shyampur as hotspots for heat exposure. This isn't just about discomfort; the study links these high temperatures to significant intra-urban inequality, suggesting that vulnerable populations in these areas face greater health risks. The discrepancy between official temperature readings and field data, with maximum temperatures reaching 44 degrees Celsius compared to the 37 degrees Celsius recorded by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, further emphasizes the severity of the urban heat island effect.

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Using detailed spatial analysis, researchers identified strong intra-urban inequality, with certain neighbourhoods significantly more exposed to heat risks, highlighting the need for targeted interventions, including awareness campaigns, early warning systems, and localised planning.

Crucially, the study offers a clear, evidence-based solution: more green and blue spaces. Researchers found that areas with increased greenery are significantly cooler, and adopting suburban characteristics could lower temperatures substantially. This points to a direct link between urban planning, environmental policy, and public health. The call for expanding green spaces is not merely an aesthetic suggestion but a vital public health intervention, especially considering that nearly 45 percent of urban areas face high heat vulnerability alongside a shortage of accessible healthcare facilities.

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The study also found that areas with green and blue spaces are 0.8-1.4 degrees Celsius cooler, and adopting suburban characteristics, such as increased greenery, could reduce temperatures by at least 0.5 degrees Celsius.

Experts involved in the study, including Professor Zahidul Quayyum and Dr. MA Muhit, stressed the need for a holistic approach. This includes better resource allocation, performance-based planning, and integrating disease patterns with financing and patient needs. The lack of reliable data on heat-related illnesses, a common challenge in low- and middle-income countries, complicates accurate assessment. Therefore, establishing a network of monitoring stations and developing targeted awareness campaigns and early warning systems are critical steps. The government's emphasis on a concrete policy draft for transparent implementation signals a potential shift towards addressing these pressing urban health challenges.

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Nearly 45 percent of urban areas face high heat vulnerability, alongside a shortage of nearby healthcare facilities.