Reazul Ahsan - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Reazul Ahsan

Sustainability

This study intends to explore the extent of the use of information and communication technology (... more This study intends to explore the extent of the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in flash-flood-prone haor (wetland ecosystem) areas of north-eastern Bangladesh. Addressing the situation of severe flash floods in 2017 at the community level, this study aims to examine the constraints and challenges in using ICT for flash flood risk management. An empirical study was conducted in two upazilas (administrative sub-districts) within the Sunamganj, the most affected district. A total of 120 household heads were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Focused group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII) were also used. Results reveal that people in these areas do not use computers or Internet. However, the use of mobile phones is common for communication during disasters. Illiteracy, poor quality of life, poor social capital, poor infrastructure, and poor communication with institutions are highlighted as the main constraints and challenges in...

Mega-development projects—such as urban renewal and infrastructure projects (multiplex housing, d... more Mega-development projects—such as urban renewal and infrastructure projects (multiplex housing, dams and highways)—require land, and often large quantities of that limited resource. One of the most significant consequences of such mega-projects, therefore, is upheaval and displacement of the local residents and communities. Displacement due to mega-development projects encompasses the loss of land, income and employment, social structure, traditional living patterns and culture, and control over natural resources such as forests and rivers. Resettling such displaced communities becomes a formidable challenge for social sustainability. Bakun hydroelectric dam—under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) in Sarawak, located in the island of Borneo, East Malaysia—represents an example of development-induced displacement by a mega-infrastructure project. The Bakun hydroelectric dam project has displaced almost 10,000 people from 17,000 ha of land where they had been living for...

Frontiers in Communication

During all critical incidents, the media frame our understanding and create powerful forces at bo... more During all critical incidents, the media frame our understanding and create powerful forces at both individual and societal levels. The mental health of readers and viewers can also be affected by the media after tragic events. Potentially, the media have a proactive role in shaping the actions of the mass population and thereby influencing policy actions. The print media especially are considered a key avenue for taking information to the masses. However, in this information and communications technology (ICT) era, people are increasingly reluctant to carry hard-copy newspapers, instead preferring e-newspapers. At the present time, entire newspapers, and especially their opinion sections, are deluged by concerns about the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. After China and Japan first encountered COVID-19, other Asian countries began their COVID-19 fight at different times between January and March 2020. All affected countries sought to manage the pandemic in their ...

Environment and Urbanization ASIA

Rapid urbanisation has always been considered a determinant of the changing urban ecology, which ... more Rapid urbanisation has always been considered a determinant of the changing urban ecology, which encompasses vegetation, open spaces and vacant land to a compact urban area. Such changes of urban ecology expose coastal cities and make them vulnerable to natural disasters like flash floods and storm surges. This study uses the Compound Annual Growth Rate model and geospatial analysis to assess the changes to the urban ecology along the 43 km long coastline of Muscat, one of the fastest growing highly urbanized coastal capitals of the Arab world. The changes are calculated on 5 m and 10 m datums for three time periods (1990s, 2010s and 2017 onwards). The study finds that since the 2010s both the agricultural and low land have changed to a compact urban built-up area; highly dense vegetation and open spaces changed to scattered ornamental plantation and impervious areas. Such changes to the urban ecology along the coastline increase the vulnerability of Muscat to both sudden and slow o...

Journal of Social and Development Sciences

The major dynamic driving forces of cities in developing countries are economic and social forces... more The major dynamic driving forces of cities in developing countries are economic and social forces to change the urban system with the growing demand of population and urbanization. Of course, the problems are different and unique to a particular city based on the city growth pattern, economic and social character. Khulna, the third largest metropolitan city in Bangladesh with 1.2 million populations within 45.6 square kilometer was developed as a medium scale industrial city since 1950s. Previously the city economy was completely established on river-based trade and the city developed around the river port locally named “Boror Bazaar” means big market place. The changing city form gave Boro Bazaar the shape of mixed-use zone rather solely commercial or business zone. Now, as a central economic hub in the city centre, Boro Bazaar needs to be more dynamic to response to the city economy and its growth pattern. For last one decade, Boro Bazaar has faced compact unplanned haphazard ...

Journal of Social and Development Sciences

Too much or too little water is always a challenge for any water related issue, especially for de... more Too much or too little water is always a challenge for any water related issue, especially for developing countries where water is abundant or crisis like Bangladesh with the change of circumstances. Dhaka the capital of Bangladesh is facing a serious water scarcity problem due to the big gap between demand and supply of water system. On the other hand it can be say that this water crisis originated due to too much water like floods, rainfall, drought etc. that force rural people from other part of country towards city and city is losing its hydrological balance to accommodate these unwanted migrated people. Dhaka has experiencing a tremendous pressure and transformation in terms of its water system due to such unmanageable urban growth and uncontrolled urbanization. Design strategies and solution are needed to respond for pressing climate and environmental changes and necessary to take action against the ubiquitous human mismanagement of the essential resource of water. To overcome...

Climate Change and Agriculture [Working Title]

South Asia Research

In the wider context of several primary climate change impacts affecting low-lying coastal areas ... more In the wider context of several primary climate change impacts affecting low-lying coastal areas of Bangladesh, this article examines how the phenomenon of ‘climate change migration’ creates national and local secondary complications for internal population displacement as well as increasingly visible tertiary impacts. These are manifested in rapid urbanisation and precarious socio-economic and environmental changes in urban contexts. Highlighting the growing interconnection of climate change, migration and urbanisation in Bangladesh, the article calls for effective local policy changes to address the urgent need to safeguard sustainable livelihoods and security of fundamental rights for climate change migrants.

Journal of Asian and African Studies

Climate change has introduced a new social group called ‘‘Climate migrants’.’ In 1995, approximat... more Climate change has introduced a new social group called ‘‘Climate migrants’.’ In 1995, approximately 25 million people worldwide were considered to be environment or climate refugees, it is anticipated that this number will have increased to 200 million by 2050. Bangladesh is one of the countries highly exposed to extreme ‘‘climate’’ and an appropriate place to study climate-induced migration. With an empirical field research through stratified sampling techniques amongst migrants, this article examines the drivers of migration, impacts on individual and family livelihoods of the explosion of climate migrants to analyse how consideration of this growing body of climate migrants fits with traditional migration theory.

International Journal of Advances in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, 2016

The International Journal of Climate Change: Impacts and Responses, 2014

Urban Disasters and Resilience in Asia, 2016

Disaster Risk Reduction, 2013

Sustainability

This study intends to explore the extent of the use of information and communication technology (... more This study intends to explore the extent of the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in flash-flood-prone haor (wetland ecosystem) areas of north-eastern Bangladesh. Addressing the situation of severe flash floods in 2017 at the community level, this study aims to examine the constraints and challenges in using ICT for flash flood risk management. An empirical study was conducted in two upazilas (administrative sub-districts) within the Sunamganj, the most affected district. A total of 120 household heads were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Focused group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII) were also used. Results reveal that people in these areas do not use computers or Internet. However, the use of mobile phones is common for communication during disasters. Illiteracy, poor quality of life, poor social capital, poor infrastructure, and poor communication with institutions are highlighted as the main constraints and challenges in...

Mega-development projects—such as urban renewal and infrastructure projects (multiplex housing, d... more Mega-development projects—such as urban renewal and infrastructure projects (multiplex housing, dams and highways)—require land, and often large quantities of that limited resource. One of the most significant consequences of such mega-projects, therefore, is upheaval and displacement of the local residents and communities. Displacement due to mega-development projects encompasses the loss of land, income and employment, social structure, traditional living patterns and culture, and control over natural resources such as forests and rivers. Resettling such displaced communities becomes a formidable challenge for social sustainability. Bakun hydroelectric dam—under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) in Sarawak, located in the island of Borneo, East Malaysia—represents an example of development-induced displacement by a mega-infrastructure project. The Bakun hydroelectric dam project has displaced almost 10,000 people from 17,000 ha of land where they had been living for...

Frontiers in Communication

During all critical incidents, the media frame our understanding and create powerful forces at bo... more During all critical incidents, the media frame our understanding and create powerful forces at both individual and societal levels. The mental health of readers and viewers can also be affected by the media after tragic events. Potentially, the media have a proactive role in shaping the actions of the mass population and thereby influencing policy actions. The print media especially are considered a key avenue for taking information to the masses. However, in this information and communications technology (ICT) era, people are increasingly reluctant to carry hard-copy newspapers, instead preferring e-newspapers. At the present time, entire newspapers, and especially their opinion sections, are deluged by concerns about the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. After China and Japan first encountered COVID-19, other Asian countries began their COVID-19 fight at different times between January and March 2020. All affected countries sought to manage the pandemic in their ...

Environment and Urbanization ASIA

Rapid urbanisation has always been considered a determinant of the changing urban ecology, which ... more Rapid urbanisation has always been considered a determinant of the changing urban ecology, which encompasses vegetation, open spaces and vacant land to a compact urban area. Such changes of urban ecology expose coastal cities and make them vulnerable to natural disasters like flash floods and storm surges. This study uses the Compound Annual Growth Rate model and geospatial analysis to assess the changes to the urban ecology along the 43 km long coastline of Muscat, one of the fastest growing highly urbanized coastal capitals of the Arab world. The changes are calculated on 5 m and 10 m datums for three time periods (1990s, 2010s and 2017 onwards). The study finds that since the 2010s both the agricultural and low land have changed to a compact urban built-up area; highly dense vegetation and open spaces changed to scattered ornamental plantation and impervious areas. Such changes to the urban ecology along the coastline increase the vulnerability of Muscat to both sudden and slow o...

Journal of Social and Development Sciences

The major dynamic driving forces of cities in developing countries are economic and social forces... more The major dynamic driving forces of cities in developing countries are economic and social forces to change the urban system with the growing demand of population and urbanization. Of course, the problems are different and unique to a particular city based on the city growth pattern, economic and social character. Khulna, the third largest metropolitan city in Bangladesh with 1.2 million populations within 45.6 square kilometer was developed as a medium scale industrial city since 1950s. Previously the city economy was completely established on river-based trade and the city developed around the river port locally named “Boror Bazaar” means big market place. The changing city form gave Boro Bazaar the shape of mixed-use zone rather solely commercial or business zone. Now, as a central economic hub in the city centre, Boro Bazaar needs to be more dynamic to response to the city economy and its growth pattern. For last one decade, Boro Bazaar has faced compact unplanned haphazard ...

Journal of Social and Development Sciences

Too much or too little water is always a challenge for any water related issue, especially for de... more Too much or too little water is always a challenge for any water related issue, especially for developing countries where water is abundant or crisis like Bangladesh with the change of circumstances. Dhaka the capital of Bangladesh is facing a serious water scarcity problem due to the big gap between demand and supply of water system. On the other hand it can be say that this water crisis originated due to too much water like floods, rainfall, drought etc. that force rural people from other part of country towards city and city is losing its hydrological balance to accommodate these unwanted migrated people. Dhaka has experiencing a tremendous pressure and transformation in terms of its water system due to such unmanageable urban growth and uncontrolled urbanization. Design strategies and solution are needed to respond for pressing climate and environmental changes and necessary to take action against the ubiquitous human mismanagement of the essential resource of water. To overcome...

Climate Change and Agriculture [Working Title]

South Asia Research

In the wider context of several primary climate change impacts affecting low-lying coastal areas ... more In the wider context of several primary climate change impacts affecting low-lying coastal areas of Bangladesh, this article examines how the phenomenon of ‘climate change migration’ creates national and local secondary complications for internal population displacement as well as increasingly visible tertiary impacts. These are manifested in rapid urbanisation and precarious socio-economic and environmental changes in urban contexts. Highlighting the growing interconnection of climate change, migration and urbanisation in Bangladesh, the article calls for effective local policy changes to address the urgent need to safeguard sustainable livelihoods and security of fundamental rights for climate change migrants.

Journal of Asian and African Studies

Climate change has introduced a new social group called ‘‘Climate migrants’.’ In 1995, approximat... more Climate change has introduced a new social group called ‘‘Climate migrants’.’ In 1995, approximately 25 million people worldwide were considered to be environment or climate refugees, it is anticipated that this number will have increased to 200 million by 2050. Bangladesh is one of the countries highly exposed to extreme ‘‘climate’’ and an appropriate place to study climate-induced migration. With an empirical field research through stratified sampling techniques amongst migrants, this article examines the drivers of migration, impacts on individual and family livelihoods of the explosion of climate migrants to analyse how consideration of this growing body of climate migrants fits with traditional migration theory.

International Journal of Advances in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, 2016

The International Journal of Climate Change: Impacts and Responses, 2014

Urban Disasters and Resilience in Asia, 2016

Disaster Risk Reduction, 2013