Salim Momtaz

Environmental impact assessment in Bangladesh: a critical review

Abstract Bangladesh initiated environmental impact assessment (EIA) guidelines in 1992 for the water sector development. The country enacted EIA legislation in 1995 and EIA rules in 1997. Today, all major donor agencies working in Bangladesh have their own EIA guidelines. This paper reveals that (a) the guidelines developed by the government and the donor agencies are stringent, however, there is less emphasis on monitoring, (b) proper implementation of EIAs are largely dependent on the requirements of the donor agencies and (c) there is a lack of coordination among the various organizations involved in environmental decision making and of adequate infrastructure to ensure proper EIA.

Local perceptions of and adaptation to climate variability and change: the case of shrimp farming communities in the coastal region of Bangladesh

Shrimp aquaculture is the predominant farming practice in the southwest coastal region of Bangladesh and has been under increased pressure from environmental and climatic changes. To date, most of the studies examining farmer’s vulnerability and adaption to climate change have been agriculture-focused with little attention to the impacts on other livelihood systems. Based on a case study approach our study presents: i) how local people perceive climate change and whether it corresponds to meteorological records, ii) what climate change impacts people consider significant, and iii) what strategies the shrimp farmers employ to ameliorate perceived risks. This study was conducted using local climate data, focus groups and household survey in Mongla sub-district. This study shows that local people are aware of the changes in hydro-climatic parameters. Their accounts of climate change mostly diverge from the scientific evidence when long-term climate trends are considered, but on short-term variability, the correlation between scientific evidence and local perceptions is high. Repeated adverse impacts caused by climate stressors on livelihood activities shape people’s climate risk perceptions. In relation to perceived risks, farmers have made adjustments in their aquaculture practices. Yet, the level of responses clearly lags behind the extent to which concerns about climate disturbances are expressed. This is partly due to farmers’ efforts for managing transformation from agricultural livelihood system to aquaculture-based livelihood systems and partly associated with other social factors. This case study recommends governmental support for the shrimp aquaculture sector to facilitate the process of adaptation to changes in the hydro-climatic environment.

The practice of social impact assessment in a developing country: the case of environmental and social impact assessment of Khulna-Jessore Drainage Rehabilitation Project in Bangladesh

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a relatively new phenomenon in Bangladesh resource management. EIA received its legislative mandate in the passage of Environmental Conservation Act, 1995 (ECA ′95). While investigation into socio-economic aspects of development has been a part of EIA since its inception, social impact assessment (SIA) never had any recognizable status in development planning. This paper examines a SIA conducted as a part of an EIA. It reveals that despite SIAs global status as a ‘poor cousin’ of EIA, it has been effectively incorporated into EIA. Community opinions and values collected through social assessment significantly influenced the final outcome of the process.

The quality of environmental impact statements and environmental impact assessment practice in Bangladesh

This paper investigates the quality of environmental impact statements (EISs) and gives us an understanding about the performance of environmental impact assessment (EIA) practice in Bangladesh. EIA has been formally practised in Bangladesh since 1995.However, no study has yet been conducted on the quality of EISs. This study fills this gap. This empirical study shows that the quality of EISs in Bangladesh is ‘just satisfactory’ only. A significant proportion of EISs (34%) are still unsatisfactory. Finally, possible factors affecting the quality of EISs are examined and measures to improve the quality of EISs are recommended. The findings will be useful to EIA practitioners and other stakeholders in Bangladesh. This study will also provide a general guideline for other developing countries with similar socio-economic context.

Sectorial variation in the quality of environmental impact statements and factors influencing the quality

This paper assesses the overall quality of the EISs of four major sectors and the variation in quality of the EISs among the four sectors in Bangladesh. While there are ample studies on the overall quality of EISs irrespective of sectors, there is a lack of research focus in Bangladesh or elsewhere on how the quality of EISs varies by sectors. This study reviews 40 EISs of four major sectors in Bangladesh by using the Lee-Colley method. The review findings indicate that, in general, the quality of EISs in Bangladesh is satisfactory. However, there is a variation in the quality of EISs by sectors where EISs for two sectors are found to be below the satisfactory level. The reasons behind the variation in the quality of EISs by sector are analysed. Furthermore, this paper analyses the factors influencing the overall quality of EISs in Bangladesh as 35% of EISs are still poorly prepared. The factors responsible for the poor performance of EISs include inadequate study time, the lack of baseline data, weak EIA teams, the lack of EIA experts, inadequate funds and weak Terms of Reference.

Brooklyn’s Bushwick - Urban Renewal in New York, USA

Chapter 1: Bushwick and Northeast Brooklyn: Formative Years to 1960s.- Chapter 2: Bushwick: Planning in 1970s to Current Times.- Chapter 3: Planning for Sustainable Communities.- Chapter 4. New York City Planning: Community Boards and Planning Instruments.- Chapter 5. Application of Planning Instruments: Case Studies.- Chapter 6. Preparing Students for Urban Futures: Case Example Bushwick.- Chapter 7. Future Directions: Sustainable Urban Planning (SUP).- Appendices.- Post Script.- Glossary.- Index.

Evaluating Environmental and Social Impact Assessment: Framework for Effective EIA System

This concluding chapter provides a general discussion about the status of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) system in Bangladesh. The findings presented in Chapters 3–7 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 are synthesized, in order to provide an overall understanding and insight into the current position of the EIA system. This chapter provides explanations of why some aspects of institutional arrangements are weak, when the quality of environmental impact statements is poor, and why mitigation measures are inadequately implemented. Attempts are also made to substantiate the findings of this study by that of other similar studies. This chapter proposes a framework for effective EIA system that may be applicable to developing countries. Finally, this chapter provides a summary of key findings and makes recommendations to address the deficiencies of the EIA system.

Conclusions and Directions for Sustainable Neighborhood Planning

The chapter looks at conclusions from the nine case studies (including overall conclusions) and suggests directions for sustainable neighbourhood planning. Examining conclusions, the main planning issues as addressed in the case studies are commented upon.

Planning for Sustainable Cities

The chapter addresses planning of global cities and the applications of sustainable urban planning (SUP) practices. A background on theory and practice of SUP is presented, particularly applicable to municipalities and districts (group of municipalities) undergoing rapid change (focusing on the effects of global transition). The chapter covers definitions and examples of sustainability and ecologically sustainable development (ESD). Reviews and critiques of writers and key documents on the subject of SUP are presented. Recent (1980s–2016) planning schools of thought (i.e., compact cities, new urbanism, smart growth, eco-city planning and SUP) are also commented on. Finally, examples of current worldwide approaches to planning municipalities and districts using SUP practices is canvassed.

Cities in Global Transition

The chapter addresses planning of global cities and the applications of sustainable urban planning (SUP) practices. A background on theory and practice of SUP is presented, particularly applicable to municipalities and districts (group of municipalities) undergoing rapid change (focusing on the effects of global transition). The chapter covers defi nitions and examples of sustainability and ecologically sustainable development (ESD). Reviews and critiques of writers and key documents on the subject of SUP are presented. Recent (1980s–2016) planning schools of thought (i.e., compact cities, new urbanism, smart growth, eco-city planning and SUP) are also commented on. Finally, examples of current worldwide approaches to planning municipalities and districts using SUP practices is canvassed.