Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Nov 7, 2025 (BSS) - A new project titled "Facilitating Livelihoods through Advancing Smart Habitats in Peri-Urban Bangladesh (FLASH)" has been launched in Khulna to promote sustainable and climate-resilient livelihoods among marginal urban and coastal communities.

The inception meeting of the project was held on Thursday afternoon at a city hotel with participation from government officials, academics, researchers and development partners.

The project aims to promote smart and sustainable habitat solutions to address climate change-induced risks in Bangladesh's coastal and peri-urban areas, contributing to improved housing, livelihoods and living standards.

Speaking as the chief guest, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of Khulna University (KU) Professor Dr Md Rezaul Karim said the FLASH project is a timely and transformative initiative to develop climate-resilient livelihoods through community participation, bridging science, policy and practice.

He added that KU has been conducting research on coastal sustainability and climate adaptation in collaboration with international universities, including Utrecht, Wageningen and Erasmus of the Netherlands. 

The university also plans to establish an Institute of Climate Change and Disaster Management (ICCDM) to promote research and policy dialogue on climate resilience.

Khulna Development Authority Chairman Brigadier General Mohammad Jahangir Hossain and Chief Engineer of Khulna City Corporation Moshiuzzaman Khan addressed the event as special guests.

Professor Dr Sheikh Sirajul Hakim of Khulna University's Architecture Discipline delivered the welcome remarks, while the project overview was presented by lead researcher Professor Dr Shahjahan Mondal of BUET.

International partners present included Dr Bishawjit Mallick and Prof Dr Hans Middelkoop of Utrecht University, Marte van Erde of Erasmus University Rotterdam, Dr Kamonashis Halder of Wageningen University, and Dr Helene Miss and Dr S M Labib of Utrecht University of the Netherlands. 

The meeting also featured discussions among national and international researchers on implementation strategies, community engagement and policy support for climate-resilient development in coastal Bangladesh.