Adaptation capacities in densely populated areas: Lessons from

SESSION DESCRIPTION
E2
Adaptation capacities in densely populated
areas: Lessons from Bangladesh and Egypt
Workshop
Date: Tuesday, 9 June 2015
Time: 16:45-18:15
Rooms: S30-32
Language:
Contact:
E-mail/web:
Organized by:
English
Martin Dirr
martin.dirr@giz.de
Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
OBJECTIVE
This workshop shared experiences on how to improve the adaptation capacities of local communities in
the context of high informality and vibrant migration dynamics. Based on the case studies of two GIZ
programs, the “Participatory Development Program in Urban Areas” (PDP) in Egypt and the “Coastal
Livelihoods Adaptation Project” (CLAP) in Bangladesh, participants explored the opportunities and preconditions for community engagement in the design and implementation of successful adaptation
projects. Thematically, the case studies focused on heat stress resilient urban communities in Egypt, as
well as the improvement of the livelihoods of seasonal migrants and their families in Bangladesh with a
particular focus on gender and food security.
Brief presentations by representatives from Egypt and Bangladesh set the stage for group discussions
and exchange of experiences and ideas of the participants.
OUTCOMES
The workshop was conducted in an interactive way and allowed participants to contribute to the
discussion with their own experiences. Based on lessons learned from Egypt and Bangladesh,
participants explored ways to apply community-based approaches to strengthen resilience in urban
settings. The discussions focused on two aspects of creating heat stress resilient communities in the
context of climate-induced seasonal migration, including urban food systems and livelihood
improvement. Through active participation in the discussion, panelists gained a better understanding of:

The particular challenges of dealing with climate change adaptation in densely populated areas
that are characterized by high degrees of informality and seasonal migration;

Approaches for involving the community in the design of adaptation projects in the context of
high population fluctuation due to climate-induced seasonal migration;

Approaches for adapting to heat stress through urban food systems and other appropriate
community-based measures that aim to build the resilience of informal urban settlements;

The impact of rapid urbanization on rural communities and the interdependency of urban and
rural areas; and

Approaches for improving the livelihoods of migrants and their families as well as
understanding the associated gender aspects.
METHODOLOGY

The facilitator opened the session with a short introduction of its agenda and each speaker. (5
minutes)

Keynote speech by Diane Archer (IIED). (15 minutes)

Each speaker briefly described their local context, approaches and experiences (2 x 15
minutes):
o
May al-Ibrashy and Saber Osman on the subject of “Adaptation to heat stress with
urban food systems and other appropriate measures in Cairo’s informal settlements”
o
Purnima Doris Chattopadhayay-Dutt, Team leader Coastal Livelihoods Adaptation
Project (CLAP) from GIZ Bangladesh on the subject of “Gender, migration and climate
change in coastal Bangladesh”

The participants split into 2 groups and discussed the different aspects presented by the
speakers from Egypt and Bangladesh who moderated the group discussions. (30 minutes)

Each group briefly presented the results of their discussions in the plenary followed by a round
of Q&A. (10 minutes)

The facilitator concluded the workshop with some closing remarks.
Guiding questions:
1. How do you effectively engage local communities in the design and implementation of
adaptation projects?
2. How do you address aspects of informality and seasonal migration when planning a
project?
3. How do you design urban food systems and other community-based measures that
tackle heat stress in the context of climate change?
4.
How do you incorporate municipal officials and other stakeholders in situations that
involve communities in informal settlements?
5.
What is the effect of migration, urbanization and climate change on gender relations
and food security at the household and community levels? How can interventions
address these issues?
CONTRIBUTORS
Facilitator
Martin Dirr, Advisor on Urban Development, GIZ, Eschborn, Germany
Keynote
Diane Archer, Researcher, Human Settlements Group, International Institute for
Environment and Development, London, UK
Panelist
May al-Ibrashy, Chair of The Built Environment Collective - Megawra (NGO), Cairo,
Egypt; and
Mr Saber Osman, Climate Change Advisor, GIZ Participatory Development Program in
Urban Areas (PDP), Cairo, Egypt
The work of an Egyptian-German development cooperation program in improving the
livelihoods of 11 million people living in Cairo’s informal settlements was presented.
Heat stress is expected to increase and have an impact on the health of the most
vulnerable with the likely occurrence of more frequent food shortages. To address
these challenges, a community-based approach has been initiated. Its preliminary
outcomes were discussed during this session in the light of scarce community
resources, informality and institutional capacity building.
Panelist
Purnima Chattopadhayay-Dutt, Principal Advisor, GIZ Coastal Livelihoods Adaptation
Project (CLAP), Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bangladesh is not only a developing country but is also one of the countries most
affected by the impacts of climate change. Rapid population growth and uncontrolled
urbanization are major challenges for the nation. The general background and
challenges in cities of Bangladesh will be presented and the results of a study on
gender, migration and climate change will be shared. Dr. Chattopadhayay-Dutt
described the challenges faced by poor communities, particularly women, with the
questions in mind: How can these issues be addressed? What kinds of opportunities
arise from rapid urbanization and the impact of climate change?
Further recommended reading
GIZ Participatory Development Program in Urban Areas (PDP):
http://www.egypt-urban.net