Combating Urban Hazard: A Qualitative Study of Disaster Preparedness in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract: The research presents the disaster risk reduction landscape and identifies the urban hazard faced by residents in Dhaka. The aim is to analyze the concept of preparedness for vulnerability related to urban hazard by describing possible contemporary complications in both policies and practice. It examines the role played by the Government and Non-Government Organizations to implement the policies. The assessment highlights on not only identifying the policies and DRR methods currently being implemented, but, more critically the existing situation. The research has been conducted by using a qualitative approach of semi-structured interviews and analysis of the policies. The chosen empirics has been limited to three evident urban hazards, thus all chosen interviewees have some relation to either planning or disaster risk reduction of urban areas. The results show that success of functionality of the policies and strategies depends on proper monitoring and implementation. If proper mechanism is developed and initiated on both individual and organization levels, to ensure the implementation, it can restrict and prevent the process of vulnerability.