In Bangladesh, like in all other countries climate change is causing significant changes to weather and climatic conditions. Bangladesh and more specifically the Sylhet region face adverse effects such as tidal flooding and riverbank erosion among other natural disasters. Besides endangering communities, these natural disasters destroy agricultural lands and infrastructure important to the continuation and advancement of a community.
Another growing phenomenon in Bangladesh is migration as a form of resilience. Bangladeshis in flood-prone areas practice climate-induced micro-migration to deal with the situation (Mustari &
Karim, 2017). This project looks to the indigenous communities in Bangladesh and other wet land areas to find solutions to the problem. Research has shown that indigenous adaptation techniques and
knowledge practices have been used by indigenous communities in Bangladesh and other regions to mitigate the effects of climate change and stressful environmental conditions (Amin, Asaduzzaman,
Kabir, Snigdha, & Hossain, 2021).
The objective of this research is to design a housing solution that responds to flooding in the Sylhet metropolitan area. For this reason, it is important to study the effects of flooding on the target group
as well as their homes, the migratory patterns of the displaced people and the indigenous strategies and technologies that may be used to mitigate these effects.
This research is imperative to the livelihood and sustainability of communities in the low-lying areas of Sylhet and to the new methodology of technology where indigenous wisdom is seen as a necessary technology rather than primitive techniques. The research will aim to answer the question “How can indigenous and traditional knowledge systems inform resilient housing solutions that support micro-migration as a climate adaptation strategy in Bangladesh?”

This graduation project explores how design can improve the quality of life for women living in informal settlements in and around their homes in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Titled "A Safe Return," the project focuses on designing new housing for residents of the Sweepers Colony, an informal settlement in Sylhet, while also providing housing solutions for middle and high-income groups. The core aim is to enhance the lives of women through improved living conditions by ensuring safety through "eyes on the street" in public spaces, maintaining privacy within homes, and creating areas where children can play freely. It also seeks to establish spaces for communal gatherings from urban to unit scale, fostering connections with the neighboring Hindu community, and providing opportunities for self-development among women. Furthermore, the design incorporates private sanitation and washing facilities and introduces greenery to enhance the living environment. A significant aspect of the project is addressing the challenges posed by climate change, which plays a crucial role in designing the new neighborhood. The strategy spans multiple scales, from urban public spaces to urban clusters, and from clusters to individual units. "A Safe Return" aims to offer women a secure transition from their current living conditions in the informal settlement to their new homes, ensuring a significant improvement in their quality of life.

Rapid urbanization in Sylhet, a growing second-tier city in Bangladesh, has led to significant environmental and social challenges. With a population of nearly 3 million and an area of 26.50 square kilometers, Sylhet faces increased building density, improper waste management, and inadequate public spaces. The city’s urban ponds, traditionally serving as vital communal spaces, are now threatened by rapid urban expansion. Known as the sacred capital of Bangladesh, Sylhet's urban landscape is also influenced by its major religious groups, Muslims and Hindus, whose religious spaces shape the city's fabric. This research investigates how these urban ponds can be leveraged to create inclusive urban environments, addressing both social cohesion and environmental sustainability.

One of Bangladesh's sustainable development goals is to ensure access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services for all by 2030, including upgrading slums. Given the presence of an informal settlement in the design assignment, various strategies, like slum clearance, slum upgrading and slum redevelopment, have been researched to involve the current urban poor dwellers, aiming to develop a project where different income groups can coexist.

This thesis explores how lessons from Sylhet's urban ponds can address housing inadequacies and reduce segregation in the city. It investigates the social dynamics around urban ponds and their environmental benefits. Socially, it analyzes how the current uses of these ponds affect community interactions among diverse demographic groups. Environmentally, it evaluates the role of ponds in mitigating climate change effects and their significance for urban resilience.

The design task aims to create an inclusive living environment in a densely populated area, using urban ponds as focal points to foster harmony among diverse cultural and income groups. Ultimately, this research contributes to urban planning by providing insights into the use of urban ponds to enhance social inclusion and environmental sustainability, offering a blueprint for future urban development in Sylhet and other cities in the Global South facing similar challenges.