Dynamics of Urban Heat Wave and Its Impacts on Slum Communities: A Case Study of Rajshahi City Corporation, Bangladesh

Abstract

A severe heatwave is impacting Bangladesh, with Rajshahi’s underserved populations being particularly vulnerable. Urban slum residents, such as auto-rickshaw drivers, construction laborers, and street vendors, face heightened exposure to heat-related risks. This study examines perceptions of heatwaves and the adaptive capacities of these vulnerable groups, utilizing a mixed-methods approach that includes key informant interviews, household surveys, and secondary data analysis. Findings indicate that high temperatures and heatwaves are significant concerns for most respondents, with excessive sweating and dehydration being common health challenges that disrupt daily life. Coping strategies include using fans and wearing damp clothing to adapt routines. Variations in physical, natural, financial, human, and social capital influence the community’s adaptive capacities, highlighting targeted and effective urban development policies. The insights from this study aim to inform climate adaptation strategies, fostering proactive responses and shaping policies at both regional and national levels to manage heat extremes in Rajshahi’s informal settlements.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into the perceptions, impacts, and coping strategies related to urban heat waves in Rajshahi City, Bangladesh. The findings reveal a high level of awareness regarding increasing temperatures. This aligns with global trends of rising temperatures in urban areas, as documented in numerous studies [8, 9]. The identification of heat hotspots within urban settings, including living spaces, transport modes, city centers, and worksites, underscores the need for targeted interventions in these areas. The low perception of open spaces/parks as heat hotspots suggests potential opportunities for urban green space development as a heat mitigation strategy. This finding is consistent with research highlighting the cooling effects of urban green spaces [1, 10]. Health impacts associated with heat waves, such as excessive sweating, dehydration, and heat stroke, emphasize the public health implications of rising temperatures. The economic burden of these health issues is evident. This highlights the need for preventive measures and improved healthcare access during extreme heat events [2]. The diverse coping strategies employed by residents, including increasing working hours, reducing other costs, and seeking loans, reflect the economic challenges posed by heat waves. The finding that 35.9% of respondents experienced income reductions of 25% to 50% underscores the significant economic impact of extreme heat on vulnerable populations. This aligns with research on the disproportionate effects of climate change on low-income communities [10, 15, 21]. The prevalence of behavioural adaptations, such as modifying daily activities and employing physical cooling strategies (e.g., using fans, drawing curtains), demonstrates the community's resilience in the face of extreme heat. However, the reliance on simple, low-cost measures suggests limitations in access to more advanced cooling technologies. This highlights the need for affordable and sustainable cooling solutions in urban planning and development. The variations in adaptive capacity scores among the communities indicate differing levels of preparedness and ability to respond to challenges. This supports the notion that adaptive capacity is influenced by multiple factors and varies significantly even within similar socio-economic contexts [8]. These findings have several implications for policy and practice such as: urban planning should prioritize heat-resilient design, incorporating green spaces and passive cooling strategies in buildings and public areas, public health interventions should focus on raising awareness about heat-related health risks and promoting effective coping strategies, investment in sustainable and affordable cooling technologies is crucial to enhance resilience, particularly for low-income communities. In conclusion, this study underscores the complex interplay between urban heat waves, public health, economic stability, and adaptive behaviour in Rajshahi City. The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on climate change impacts in urban settings and provide valuable insights for developing context-specific heat resilience strategies in Bangladesh and similar developing urban contexts. Further research is needed to explore the long-term impacts of heat adaptation strategies on health, productivity, and social dynamics.

References