Nature-based solutions (NbS) and climate change adaptation in Bangladesh: does planning law facilitate NbS for climate change adaptation in Dhaka?

ABSTRACT Flooding is exacerbated by climate change, and the ecosystem functions of wetlands can assist in mitigating risk and contribute to climate adaptation. Nature based solutions (NbS) have emerged as an alternative to the exclusive reliance on grey infrastructure to drive climate adaptation responses to flooding. This article critically examines the role of planning law to facilitate NbS in the urban context of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The article will explore the following research question: does land use planning law in Bangladesh help facilitate the establishment and maintenance of NbS to assist in adapting to climate flood risk? This article will assess existing planning law on its ability to integrate NbS into the urban climate adaptation context while managing competing and incompatible land use and upholding strong, transparent and equitable governance. This article finds that the inability to enforce regulations and a lack of early consultation and engagement presents serious impediments to implementing NbS through planning law and development policy in Dhaka and contributes to a disconnect between high level policy documents and implementation on the ground, thereby undermining climate change adaptation interventions.