Strategies for Adaptation to Climate Change in a Transformative Approach: Building on the Bangladesh Experience

The Bangladesh experience shows that adaptation to climate change needs to be seen in conjunction with existing and changing weather patterns, natural hazards and the natural resources systems. Moreover, adaptation to climate change has next to the physical and technical content a socio-economic dimension in relation to the many societal and economic aspects of water resources and climate change. Adaptation, in terms of strategy making and implementation, is thus embedded in a countries’ society with its traditions, technologies, governance and policies. This means that adaptation strategy making and implementation, while focusing on the physical system and use of technologies, are primarily cultural processes, characterized by a struggle for meaning in uncertainty, sense making and sense giving to define the issues and challenges and formulate strategies, thinking about appropriate measures, taking action and managing transformation. Besides, the power-related aspects of negotiation and decision-making including budget allocation for investments are evident as well. The BDP 2100 is a strategic plan with many techno-economic analyses, choices and proposals while it is basically ’an expression of the politics of culture’ (De Heer, 2009, 2013).

Dr. Jaap de Heer studied civil engineering (1979) and worked as part of his study seven months in Iran as site engineer on a harbour project along the Persian Gulf. This was just before the revolution in Iran and his experiences aroused interest in tension, uncertainty and major change which he focused on strategic change and transformation in his next study, Business Administration and Organizational Soci ology (1985). He worked at the department of Public Works and Water Ways called ’Rijkswaterstaat’ for six years, where he was involved in policy, planning and change processes. Jaap was researcher and associate professor at Leiden University where he got his PhD in 1991, on the subject of ’strategy and change in organiza tions under pressure’. The study showcases processes of austerity, decline and revi talization at Rijkswaterstaat and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water of the gov ernment of the Netherlands. Jaap became policy and strategy consultant in 1995 at TwynstraGudde management consultants, where he was appointed as partner in 2000 and a couple of years later on as managing partner. He was professor with Special Appointment at VU University Amsterdam from 2007 to 2014 with the Chair ’Strategy and Cultural Change’ which he focused on the importance of sense making, power games and interaction in strategy formulation, decision making and change.

Giasuddin Choudhury MSc. obtained his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineer ing degree from BUET 1968 and Masters in Engineering from IHE, Delft in 1997. He joined Bangladesh Water Development Board in 1970 as an Assistant Engineer in 1970 and retired as the Additional Director General in 2005. During this period, he served as Director General, Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development Board and Director General, Water Resources Planning Organization. On his retirement from BWDB, he joined CEGIS as its Executive Director in 2005 and retired in 2012. During this period, he served as Member of the Joint Rivers Commission. He was also involved with GWP, ICID, ICOLD and IHP. He also served as an Advisor to CEGIS. He joined Mott Macdonald as the Deputy Team Leader, Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 Formulation Project. At present he is serving as the Deputy Team Leader, vi Support to Implementation BDP2100 Project