From vulnerability to resilience: Community-based strategies in urban informal settlements

Background: Increasing urbanization has resulted in a faster growth of slum population. The main triggering factor behind the rapid urbanization is migration of people from rural to urban areas. Many of these people are jobless, capital-less, homeless and have no other alternative other than to live in the slum areas. They live totally in an informal settlement. The main objectives of this study are to identify the vulnerabilities of urban slum dwellers and to find out appropriate measures for reducing vulnerabilities to ensure resiliency. This research is conducted in Palashpur slum of Barisal city. Methods: This research is basically based on primary data collection and partially on secondary data collection. The Vulnerability to Resilience (V2R) framework is used for the research and FEMA model is used for the prioritization of vulnerability. There were 100 questionnaire surveys and 3 Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted. Findings: the existing human induced hazards in this slum are fire, mismanagement of waste and conflict. The FEMA model has given the highest vulnerability for the mismanagement of waste and then fire, water logging and last of all conflict. So, this slum area is mostly vulnerable for these human induced hazards and mostly vulnerable for mismanagement of waste. So, proper resilience measures like awareness raising, encouraging people to use reusable bags, providing alternative livelihood options, burying electricity lines, establishing proper drainage systems, strengthening social relationships etc. can reduce the vulnerability of the hazards. Conclusion: Moreover, existing organizations and Govt. should set their policies and plans according to proper resilience measures based on existing vulnerabilities and implement them in an integrated approach considering good governance. Novelty/Originality of this article: If any organizations or Government desire to run any project for the development of this slum, they will get a clear and concise idea on which project will be fruitful for the slum. The study will also enlighten the stakeholders on how to involve the community and integrate existing hazards vulnerability reduction strategies with development activities.