Members’ Publication

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity throughout the world and in low and middle-income countries such as Bangladesh in particular where roads are being developed faster, additional infrastructures are inadequate and necessary actions have been established to reduce the vice to ensure that it escalates even more. In this paper, I analyze the spatial and statistical features of RTAs in Khulna City, Bangladesh, over the period of 2010 to 2019 and identify the areas likely to experience the accidents as well as those factors influencing the building up. The analysis provides a detailed examination that combines the spatial modeling of Geographic Information System (GIS) with more complex statistical analysis to provide the entire picture of dynamics of accidents in the urban environment. Accident data were analysed using Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and Getis-Ord Gi star statistic over a period of 9 years in order to determine how data clustered spatially and statistically significant areas of greatest occurrence. These spatial results were supplemented by chi-square tests and binary logistic regression models in establishing the existence of a correlation between the accident hotspots and the factors that impacted them which include a vehicle type, time of the day, driver age, conditions of the road, the consequences of the crash. The result indicated that the spatial clustering of RTAs was higher around Khulna Sadar, Khan Jahan Ali and Sonadanga thanas (high density of traffic, the geometries of roads, and mixed modes of travel). The statistical results coincided with the preliminary results that time of day (p = 0.035), age group of the driver (p = 0.041), and the result of the accident (p = 0.004) showed significant results in the development of hotspots, but the type and speed of the vehicle was also weak or meaningless. The logistic regression equation (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.462) established that the blend of spatial, temporal and human variables to clarify the fluctuation in the incidence of the hotspots clarifies nearly fifty percent of the fluctuation. This spatial analysis and statistical analysis demonstrate that RTAs in Khulna are not scattered everywhere statistically, but they are very clustered in certain permanent clusters that have been intensified over time. The study reveals that local solutions of safety interventions (enhancing light into roads, more vigilance during rush time and certain driver education) are urgently required. The results provide a practical conceptual framework that may be utilized by policy makers and urban planners in implementing evidence-based policies in reducing the risks of accidents and enhancing sustainable urbanism in Khulna and other urban areas in Bangladesh.

Agricultural communities in flood-risk zones of Bangladesh, such as the Dharmapur Union of Fatikchhari, face ongoing threats to livelihood due to recurring flash floods that undermine agricultural production, income stability, food security, and access to essential services. This study investigates how recurrent flash floods affect livelihood vulnerability and adaptive capacity in an agricultural community through three primary objectives: (1) assessing effects and long-term impacts of flash floods over the past 20 years, (2) analyzing local adaptive strategies and coping mechanisms, and (3) developing a community-based adaptation plan. A participatory approach was employed using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools including social and resource mapping, trend analysis, cause-effect diagrams, pairwise ranking, and action plan matrices. Data were collected from 91 households in low-lying areas adjacent to Katakhali Khal over three consecutive days of field sessions. This method enabled active engagement with non-literate and less articulate participants, ensuring that local perceptions, experiences, and knowledge were accurately represented in the analysis. Results reveal significant livelihood transformations: day labor increased from 15% to 39% of household income post-2014, while livestock farming declined from 20% to 2%. Flash flood frequency and intensity showed marked escalation, expanding from July-only events (2004-2008) to June-September occurrences (2022-2024). Housing vulnerability remains high, with 50.5% (n=46) living in katcha houses and 53% (26 of 49 critical infrastructure elements) located in high-risk flood zones. Pairwise ranking identified relocation to higher ground as the most preferred adaptation strategy (selected 4 times), followed by moving livestock and establishing village emergency funds (3 times each). Current adaptive strategies include crop diversification, seasonal migration (non-migrant population decreased from 82% to 55% post-2014), livestock rearing on elevated platforms, and reliance on social capital and NGO interventions. However, the effectiveness of these measures is constrained by financial limitations, inadequate institutional support, and lack of long-term planning resources. The research emphasizes the necessity to integrate local knowledge into policy frameworks and strengthen institutional support mechanisms for enhancing resilience of vulnerable farming communities. By documenting grassroots knowledge and coping mechanisms, this research contributes to the discourse on climate resilience and rural sustainability planning in Bangladesh.

This study provides an in-depth analysis of the gender justice challenges faced by transgender individuals in Khulna, Bangladesh through the lens of just city theory. Despite the legal recognition of the Transgender community in 2013, they continue to experience social isolation, violence and systemic discrimination. The research investigates how democratic practices are undermined, how the preservation of transgender identity as a distinct group is obstructed and how material inequality continues to weaken their pursuit of social justice. Using purposive sampling, 15 in-depth face-to-face interviews with transgender individuals were conducted to capture lived experiences. The findings highlight four critical factors: the daily social, economic, political and cultural struggles transgender people endure; the structural issues driving these struggles; the impact of these problems on democracy, identity and equality; and their broader implications for social justice when assessed against the just city paradigm. The study also reveals a persistent behavioral challenge within the majority population who often fail to recognize transgender people as distinct genders beyond male and female. This lack of recognition perpetuates fear and exclusion, trapping transgender individuals in a cycle that limits their rights, equality and full participation in society.

Salinity has been a serious problem in Bangladesh’s coastal region for several decades. Coastal vulnerability and the water crisis are exacerbated by sea-level rise, changing climate patterns, frequent natural disasters, and man-made changes to natural settings. Bangladesh’s coastal areas, which are home to 20 million people, face a variety of water-related hazards, ranging from chronic salinity, which reduces agricultural yields and impacts drinking water quality, which affects livelihoods and wipes out agricultural production. In addition, concurrent floods and cyclones contribute to the deterioration of freshwater availability. Water hazards and a lack of sufficient quantity and quality of water aggravate poverty in coastal areas. Understanding the complex dynamics between climate change, water security, human well-being, and economic growth is necessary. This study employs both quantitative and qualitative approaches to comprehend the complexities. By analyzing water pH, the electrical conductance of saturated extract, and other factors associated with salinity, this study investigates the salinity level, its impact on portable water sources, and changes in the natural environment of Anwara coast (South-eastern coast) in Chattogram District. Furthermore, the FGD (Focus Group Discussions) technique is used to understand the long-term effects of water security on local livelihood patterns. This mixed-method approach helps to comprehend the complexities of coastal Bangladesh’s climate change, water security, and livelihood changes. Research findings indicate a significant increase in salinity level in the study area which affects water consumption patterns and leads to livelihood diversification of the South-eastern coastal community in Bangladesh.

The research has considered 343acres of the Ratargul Swamp Forest in the Sylhet district of Bangladesh. It serves a crucial ecosystem, providing habitat and supporting the livelihood of water-dependent communities. This study aims to determine the hydrological transition and as well as the changing ecosystem of dependent communities in RSF. The research analysis is based on the Ecological Integrity Assessment (EIA) method, a three-level approach combining remote sensing imagery, rapid field assessments, and qualitative assessments. The data have been collected from primary and secondary sources. Key indicators, such as water quality (NDTI), water depth variation (Bathymetry Analysis), long-term seasonal changes (NDWI), and Land Use and Land Cover changes, evaluate the health of the hydrological ecosystem. Therefore, slope and aspect analysis illustrate the water flow pattern. The observation defines the existing condition of RSF and the changes that have occurred over the period in the ecosystem. A Geographic Information System is applied to simulate the flow of water patterns, and the direction of movement of water by the slope and the aspect analysis in the RSF. Overall, It has been found that the seasonal variation of ecosystems, the transition of land use changes, different water turbidity levels, water depth variation for seasonal circumstances, and a vulnerable economic situation during the dry season in RSF. The situation is complex during the dry season, so the study focuses on the comparison between the moonson season and dry season to reduce complexity. This research underscores the need for identifying the potential changes, and the hydrological imbalance in the Swamp Forest as an Ecological Critical Area.

Accurate identification of CO2 emissions from vehicle has become important for sustainable urban planning strategies aimed at mitigating global warming. This study presents a framework for predicting CO2 emissions using data collected from Canada’s complete vehicle fleet. We have applied a voting-based ensemble approach that aggregates five feature selection algorithms such as SelectKBest, Lasso, Recursive Feature Elimination, Random Forest importance, and mutual information to identify the most influential predictors in the dataset. Subsequently, we have evaluated the predictive performance of various machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models using the six highest-ranked features, including combined fuel consumption, engine size, and fuel type. Our analysis shows that the Random Forest Regressor substantially outperforms competing models, achieving a R² value of 0.9976 including the lowest root mean squared error (RMSE) 2.847 g/km. These results highlight the strength of the ensemble framework in generating precise CO2 emission estimates. For sustainable urban transportation planning, the suggested method offers a practical and data-driven framework for decision making. This application can help planners and policymakers to formulate comprehensive strategies to reduce carbon emissions and encourage low-carbon urban development.

Private vehicle ownership is becoming increasingly common in Khulna, shaping how people travel within the city. This study examines how owning a private vehicle affects household travel behavior, with particular focus on how often people travel, how far they go, and which modes of transport they use. Based on data collected from 465 households across different areas of Khulna City, the findings show that households with private vehicles tend to make more trips, travel longer distances, and rely more heavily on motorized transport, mainly personal cars and motorcycles than households without vehicles. The study also reveals that vehicle ownership is closely linked to a decline in the use of public transport, walking, and cycling. As more households depend on private vehicles, challenges such as traffic congestion, higher transport costs, and unequal access to mobility are becoming more pronounced. Socioeconomic factors, trip purposes, and the urban layout further influence these patterns. These findings suggest the need for better public transport options, safer infrastructure for walking and cycling, and policies to manage travel demand. Without timely action, rising private vehicle use may continue to strain Khulna’s urban transport system and widen mobility gaps among its residents.

Purpose: The study explores the economic prospects and challenges of sustainable waterfront development in Dhaka City, with a particular focus on the economic aspects. Methods: A qualitative approach was followed, comprising a literature review, field observations, and semi-structured interviews. Data were thematically analyzed across social, environmental, and economic dimensions, with emphasis placed on identifying existing economic activities and assessing their potential for structured business growth. Results: Findings reveal that the Turag riverfront hosts a variety of informal activities and businesses, such as water transportation, street vending, fishing, freight handling, and recreation. Stakeholders’ insights confirmed that although these activities sustain local needs, the absence of organized facilities, weak governance, and environmental degradation constrain its potential as a structured economic hub. International case comparisons from Kyrenia in Cyprus, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, and Alexandria in Egypt show how the formalization of informal businesses, investment in infrastructure through Public–Private Partnerships, and heritage-based tourism can transform waterfronts into competitive urban economies. Conclusion: The study concludes that economic vitality is central to sustainable waterfront development. Integrating informal activities into formal planning, aligning with national policies such as the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, and promoting tourism-oriented investments and Small- and Medium-sized Enterprise–based strategies can enable the Turag riverfront to evolve as an inclusive, sustainable urban development model.

Small and medium-sized businesses have the potential to make a significant contribution to Bangladesh's overall economic development, both in alleviating poverty and contributing to the country's GDP. The present study aims to investigate the causes and consequences of poverty, identify suitable small- and medium-sized industries, and select appropriate sites for the development of such industries, using Chatmohor in Pabna district as a case study. This study utilized descriptive statistics, multilinear regression, binary logistic regression, rank-based quotient, Analytical Hierarchy Approach and the Multi-criteria decision analysis method. PRA, FGD, and KII are also the instruments that were used in the process of primary data collection. The study shows 80% of respondents live below extreme poverty, with 37.5% never attending school and 5.2% reaching undergraduate level. With a less than 0.05 p-value, two factors, unemployment and unstable economic conditions found to be significant in affecting mental health. Using AHP, weights of 55.79%, 26.33%, 12.19%, and 5.69% were assigned to growth centres, Land Use Land Cover, rural markets, and slope, respectively. Using this weight Multi-criteria Decision analysis identified most of the suitable land for industry, such as right near the Chatmohor railway station, Shitllai Zaminadar house near Natore National Highway, and Mulgram. The study's findings indicated that agro-processing companies in the region are crucial to the local economy, as a wide variety of agricultural products are readily available. This study enables stakeholders to make informed decisions about industries, promoting economic prosperity, thereby contributing to sustainable growth and achieving the goal of poverty alleviation.