100-Year Urban Master Plan Design for Bandarban City

Vision 2026–2126: “Hill–River–Culture–Eco Tourism City”

Considering Climate Change Impacts in Bangladesh

 Abstract

Bandarban City is one of the most ecologically sensitive and culturally significant hill towns of Bangladesh. Located within the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the city is shaped by green hills, the Sangu River, indigenous cultural landscapes, forest ecosystems, seasonal rainfall, and tourism potential. However, climate change is increasing the vulnerability of hill settlements through extreme rainfall, flash flooding, landslide risk, water scarcity, soil erosion, biodiversity loss, heat stress, and pressure from unplanned urbanization. Bangladesh is globally recognized as highly vulnerable to climate change because of its exposure to floods, cyclones, sea-level rise, river erosion, salinity intrusion, heat stress, and changing rainfall patterns. Although much of Bangladesh’s climate discourse focuses on coastal and deltaic regions, hill districts such as Bandarban face a different but equally urgent set of climate risks.

This research-based study proposes a 100-year urban master plan vision for Bandarban City from 2026 to 2126 under the theme “Hill–River–Culture–Eco Tourism City.” The study argues that Bandarban’s future urban development should not follow flatland city models. Instead, the city should grow as a climate-responsive hill settlement where architecture follows landform, roads respect contours, forests are protected as climate infrastructure, water systems are mapped scientifically, tourism is managed sustainably, and public life is connected with the Sangu River. The proposed framework integrates climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, ecological conservation, cultural identity, sustainable tourism, water-sensitive urban design, nature-based solutions, and low-carbon infrastructure.

 Keywords

Bandarban City, 100-Year Urban Master Plan, Climate Change, Hill City, Sangu River, Eco Tourism, Nature-Based Solutions, Landslide Risk, Water-Sensitive Urban Design, Bangladesh Urban Planning

 1. Introduction

Bandarban is one of Bangladesh’s most distinctive hill districts, known for its mountains, valleys, river systems, waterfalls, forests, ethnic diversity, and tourism appeal. Unlike many lowland cities of Bangladesh, Bandarban’s urban form is directly influenced by slopes, drainage channels, forest edges, river corridors, and fragile hill ecosystems. These characteristics make the city environmentally valuable but also highly vulnerable to unplanned development.

A conventional urban expansion model based on road widening, hill cutting, uncontrolled construction, and excessive concrete would create severe ecological damage in Bandarban. Therefore, a 100-year urban master plan is required to guide the city toward a resilient, climate-responsive, culturally rooted, and tourism-oriented future.

  The proposed vision for 2026–2126 is:

“A resilient hill city where the Sangu River, green hills, indigenous culture, tourism, public life, and climate-sensitive architecture grow together for the next 100 years.”

This vision reflects the need to treat Bandarban not only as a tourist destination but also as a living ecological city where local communities, natural systems, and cultural identity remain central to urban development.

 2. Climate Change Context of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is highly exposed to climate change due to its geographic location, dense population, low-lying deltaic landscape, monsoon climate, and dependency on natural resources. Major climate-related risks include flooding, cyclones, river erosion, sea-level rise, salinity intrusion, heat waves, erratic rainfall, drought, and biodiversity degradation. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change identifies South Asia as a region facing increasing risks from extreme heat, intense rainfall, flooding, and climate-related disasters under future warming scenarios (IPCC, 2021; IPCC, 2022).

Bangladesh has developed several national policy frameworks to address climate risks, including the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, Nationally Determined Contributions, and National Adaptation Plan 2023–2050. These policies emphasize adaptation, disaster risk reduction, water security, resilient infrastructure, ecosystem protection, and climate-sensitive planning.

However, the climate risks of the hill districts require special attention. Bandarban is not primarily threatened by sea-level rise like coastal districts, but it faces serious risks from:

• Intense monsoon rainfall
• Landslides and slope failure
• Flash flooding along river and stream corridors
• Dry-season water scarcity
• Soil erosion due to vegetation loss
• Hill cutting and unstable construction
• Forest degradation
• Heat stress in built-up areas
• Tourism pressure on fragile ecosystems

Therefore, Bandarban needs a city-specific climate adaptation strategy that responds to hill geography, not only national-level climate concerns.

  3. Problem Statement

Bandarban City is growing as a regional administrative, tourism, and service center. Increased demand for housing, roads, hotels, commercial facilities, transport infrastructure, and public spaces is creating pressure on hills, forests, riverbanks, and traditional settlements. Without a long-term master plan, urban growth may lead to hill cutting, river pollution, landslide disasters, traffic congestion, loss of cultural identity, water shortage, and ecological decline.

The main planning problem is that Bandarban’s future urban growth must be managed within a fragile hill ecosystem under changing climate conditions. The city needs a 100-year planning framework that balances development with ecological protection, tourism with local life, and infrastructure with climate resilience.

 4. Aim of the Study

The aim of this study is to propose a research-based 100-year urban master plan framework for Bandarban City under the vision:

“Hill–River–Culture–Eco Tourism City.”

The study seeks to develop a long-term planning direction that makes Bandarban climate-resilient, environmentally sustainable, culturally meaningful, and economically vibrant through nature-based and context-sensitive urban design.

 5. Objectives of the Study

The major objectives are:

1.     To identify key climate change risks affecting Bandarban City and its surrounding hill environment.

2.     To establish a long-term urban planning vision for Bandarban from 2026 to 2126.

3.     To propose climate-responsive land use, transport, housing, tourism, water, landscape, and public space strategies.

4.     To protect the Sangu River as the ecological and cultural lifeline of the city.

5.     To reduce landslide, flash flood, and water scarcity risks through nature-based solutions.

6.     To guide future tourism development in a sustainable and community-based manner.

7.     To integrate indigenous culture, local materials, and hill architecture into the city’s identity.

8.     To create a phased implementation framework for short-, medium-, long-, and century-scale development.

  6. Research Questions

This study is guided by the following research questions:

1.     How can Bandarban City grow over the next 100 years without damaging its hills, forests, river systems, and cultural landscapes?

2.     What climate risks should be prioritized in the urban planning of Bandarban?

3.     How can the Sangu River become the central ecological and public-space spine of the city?

4.     What type of land use and zoning strategy is suitable for a climate-sensitive hill city?

5.     How can tourism be developed without creating environmental pressure and cultural displacement?

6.     How can local architecture, indigenous culture, and ecological design become part of Bandarban’s future urban identity?

7. Methodological Framework

A 100-year master plan requires a multi-layered research and planning methodology. The proposed methodology includes:

7.1 Literature and Policy Review

Relevant national and international documents should be reviewed, including:

• IPCC climate assessment reports
• Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100
• National Adaptation Plan of Bangladesh 2023–2050
• Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan
• Disaster risk reduction policies
• Hill district development policies
• Sustainable tourism guidelines
• Urban planning and ecological design literature

7.2 GIS and Remote Sensing Analysis

GIS-based analysis should be used to identify:

• Existing urban areas
• Hill slopes and elevation zones
• Landslide-prone areas
• Sangu River floodplain and riverbank zones
• Streams, chharas, and seasonal drainage paths
• Forest cover and vegetation density
• Existing roads and accessibility
• Tourism nodes
• Public facilities
• Water sources
• Settlement patterns

7.3 Climate Risk Mapping

Climate risk mapping should focus on:

• High-risk slopes
• Flash flood-prone areas
• Water scarcity zones
• Erosion-prone land
• Heat-vulnerable built-up areas
• Areas with weak drainage
• Critical public infrastructure exposed to hazards

7.4 Stakeholder Consultation

Planning should include consultation with:

• Local government authorities
• Bandarban Hill District Council
• Local communities
• Indigenous community representatives
• Tourism stakeholders
• Environmental experts
• Urban planners and architects
• Disaster management authorities
• Women, children, senior citizens, and vulnerable groups

7.5 Scenario Planning

The master plan should develop different scenarios:

8. Climate Risk Analysis for Bandarban City

8.1 Landslide Risk

Bandarban’s steep slopes, intense rainfall, hill cutting, deforestation, and unstable construction increase landslide risk. Climate change may intensify rainfall events, making slope failure more frequent. Therefore, landslide risk zoning must become a primary layer in the master plan.

Recommended measures:

• Prohibit construction on high-risk steep slopes
• Introduce slope-stability mapping before building approval
• Use deep-rooted native vegetation for slope protection
• Apply bamboo, vetiver grass, and bio-engineering techniques
• Restrict hill cutting and uncontrolled road expansion
• Establish landslide early-warning systems
• Relocate vulnerable settlements from dangerous slopes

8.2 Flash Flood and Drainage Risk

The Sangu River and local streams can experience sudden water level changes during heavy rainfall. Unplanned construction near drainage paths can block natural water flow and increase flash flood risk.

Recommended measures:

• Protect natural streams and chharas
• Maintain river buffer zones
• Use open drainage corridors
• Develop rain gardens and bioswales
• Use permeable pavements
• Avoid construction in flood-prone lowlands
• Restore wetlands and water retention areas

 8.3 Water Scarcity

Despite heavy rainfall, Bandarban faces dry-season water scarcity in many hill settlements. Climate change can make rainfall more irregular, increasing the importance of water storage and source mapping.

Recommended measures:

• GIS-based water source mapping
• Community reservoirs on suitable elevated land
• Rainwater harvesting in all public buildings
• Gravity-fed water supply from mapped sources
• Solar-powered pumps for remote hill settlements
• Protection of springs, streams, and recharge zones
• Water-efficient plumbing in buildings

8.4 Heat Stress

Increased concrete surfaces, reduced tree cover, and dense development can create urban heat stress. Bandarban’s future urban design must maintain shade, vegetation, and airflow.

Recommended measures:

• Preserve large tree canopies
• Create shaded pedestrian routes
• Use green roofs and solar roofs
• Encourage natural ventilation
• Reduce asphalt and heat-absorbing surfaces
• Use local materials with lower heat impact
• Develop urban parks and ecological corridors

 8.5 Biodiversity and Forest Loss

Forests in Bandarban act as natural climate infrastructure. They reduce erosion, absorb carbon, regulate microclimate, support biodiversity, and protect water systems.

Recommended measures:

• Establish ecological conservation zones
• Protect forest corridors
• Restrict development in sensitive habitats
• Promote native tree plantation
• Control tourism pressure in ecologically fragile areas
• Use biodiversity-sensitive landscape planning

9. Master Plan Vision: Hill–River–Culture–Eco Tourism City

The proposed master plan is based on four interlinked pillars.

9.1 Hill

The hill is the primary landform and identity of Bandarban. Urban development must respect slope, contour, vegetation, and drainage.

Planning principles:

• Follow natural contours
• Avoid unnecessary hill cutting
• Use terraced architecture
• Control slope-based construction
• Preserve ridge lines and hill views
• Promote low-rise climate-responsive buildings

9.2 River

The Sangu River should be treated as the ecological spine of Bandarban City.

Planning principles:

• Protect riverbanks from pollution and encroachment
• Create eco-riverfront walkways
• Develop flood-resilient public spaces
• Establish river viewing decks and cultural plazas
• Introduce waste management and plastic-free river zones
• Promote community-based river stewardship

9.3 Culture

Bandarban’s indigenous communities, crafts, festivals, food, language, music, textiles, and settlement traditions should become part of the city’s planning identity.

Planning principles:

• Establish cultural tourism zones
• Create indigenous craft markets
• Promote local materials such as bamboo, timber, stone, and earth-friendly finishes
• Design public spaces for cultural events
• Protect traditional settlement patterns
• Ensure local communities benefit from tourism

 9.4 Eco Tourism

Tourism should support conservation and local livelihoods rather than damage natural systems.

Planning principles:

• Limit overdevelopment in sensitive areas
• Create eco-tourism circuits
• Develop interpretation centers
• Promote walking, cycling, and low-impact mobility
• Control hotel and resort development through zoning
• Introduce carrying-capacity-based tourism management

10. Proposed Urban Structure

The future Bandarban City can be organized into a series of climate-responsive zones.

11. Land Use Planning Strategy

The land use plan should be based on environmental suitability rather than only market demand. Each site should be evaluated through slope, drainage, vegetation, accessibility, and hazard mapping.

 11.1 No-Build Zones

No-build zones should include:

• Very steep slopes
• Landslide-prone hillsides
• Riverbank erosion zones
• Natural drainage channels
• Forest conservation areas
• Water source protection areas

11.2 Controlled Development Zones

Controlled development zones may include moderate slopes where construction is possible with proper engineering, terracing, drainage, and vegetation protection.

 11.3 Suitable Development Zones

Suitable zones should include relatively stable land where civic facilities, housing, tourism services, and public spaces can be developed with climate-sensitive design.

12. Climate-Responsive Architecture Guidelines

Bandarban’s future architecture should be adapted to hill climate, rainfall, ventilation, and cultural identity.

Recommended design guidelines:

• Low-rise and mid-density building form
• Terraced building placement along contours
• Deep roof overhangs for rain protection
• Natural ventilation and cross-airflow
• Shaded verandas and semi-open spaces
• Rainwater harvesting tanks
• Solar panel roofs
• Raised plinths in flood-prone areas
• Local bamboo, timber, stone, and brick textures
• Reduced concrete and increased landscape integration
• Green roofs and vertical planting where suitable
• Earthquake- and landslide-sensitive structural design

 13. Sangu Riverfront Development Strategy

The Sangu River should be planned as a protected ecological and civic landscape.

Proposed riverfront components:

• Eco-river walk
• Viewing platforms
• Shaded seating decks
• Boat landing points
• Small jetties with safety control
• Cultural performance plaza
• Local food and craft kiosks
• River interpretation center
• Waste segregation points
• Plastic-free campaign zones
• Native riverside plantation
• Flood-tolerant landscape design

The riverfront should not be over-concretized. It should remain soft, green, permeable, and flood-resilient.

 14. Sustainable Mobility Strategy

Bandarban’s road planning should respect hill contours and avoid unnecessary slope cutting.

Recommended mobility strategies:

• Pedestrian-first streets in central areas
• Shaded walking routes
• Electric shuttle service for tourists
• Controlled parking outside sensitive zones
• Scenic hill roads with slope protection
• Bicycle and walking trails where feasible
• Safe stairways and ramps for hill connections
• Tourist map and wayfinding system
• Emergency evacuation routes
• Public transport links to major tourism nodes

 15. Water-Sensitive Urban Design

Water-sensitive planning is essential for Bandarban because of both heavy rainfall and dry-season scarcity.

Key strategies:

• Citywide rainwater harvesting
• Community reservoirs
• Spring and stream protection
• Bioswales along roads
• Rain gardens in public spaces
• Permeable pavements
• Urban ponds and retention basins
• Slope drainage channels
• Reuse of greywater for landscape irrigation
• Water-efficient plumbing in public buildings

Every major public building should include:

• Rainwater harvesting tank
• Solar panel roof
• Natural ventilation
• Deep shading
• Water-efficient fixtures
• Emergency water storage

 16. Tourism Development Framework

Tourism should be planned through carrying capacity, environmental protection, and local economic benefit.

Proposed tourism strategies:

• Eco-tourism trails
• Cultural tourism circuits
• River-based tourism with environmental control
• Tourist information and interpretation center
• Local craft and souvenir markets
• Community-based homestay zones
• Scenic viewpoints with safety design
• Waste-free tourist zones
• Digital tourist map with GIS locations
• Training for local guides
• Emergency support and visitor management

Tourism development must avoid uncontrolled resort construction, hilltop encroachment, river pollution, and displacement of local communities.

17. Public Space and Urban Park Strategy

Bandarban needs inclusive public spaces for children, senior citizens, tourists, and local residents.

Recommended public space components:

• Children’s play areas
• Senior citizen walking paths
• Open lawns
• Seating decks
• Exercise corners
• Cultural plazas
• Tourist information corners
• Drinking water points
• Washrooms
• Small café or tea corner
• Souvenir corner
• Solar lighting
• Native tree gardens
• Bamboo screens
• Stone seating
• Rain gardens
• First-aid corner
• CCTV and safety lighting

These spaces should reflect Bandarban’s landscape character through natural materials, shaded paths, and hill-sensitive design.

18. Disaster Risk Reduction Framework

Bandarban’s 100-year plan must include a strong disaster risk reduction system.

Key components:

• Landslide hazard mapping
• Early-warning system
• Rainfall monitoring stations
• Safe evacuation routes
• Emergency shelters
• Slope stabilization programs
• Public awareness campaigns
• Construction control in hazard zones
• Community disaster response training
• GIS-based emergency management system

Disaster risk planning should be integrated with land use approval, building permission, road design, and tourism management.

 19. Low-Carbon and Climate-Mitigation Strategy

Although adaptation is the priority, Bandarban can also contribute to climate mitigation.

Recommended measures:

• Solar energy in public buildings
• Energy-efficient lighting
• Electric tourist shuttle service
• Tree plantation and forest conservation
• Low-carbon building materials
• Compact and walkable urban form
• Reduced private vehicle dependency
• Waste recycling and composting
• Protection of carbon-rich forest areas

Forests, river corridors, and urban green spaces should be treated as carbon sinks and climate infrastructure.

20. Implementation Phasing

Phase 1: 2026–2035

Foundation and Risk Mapping

• GIS-based base map preparation
• Climate risk and landslide mapping
• River protection boundary declaration
• Water source mapping
• Pilot rainwater harvesting projects
• Urban park and riverfront pilot projects
• Public consultation and policy alignment

Phase 2: 2036–2050

Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

• Community reservoirs
• Eco-riverfront development
• Pedestrian and tourist mobility network
• Cultural tourism zone development
• Slope stabilization projects
• Waste management improvement
• Public building retrofitting

 Phase 3: 2051–2075

Eco-Tourism and Green Urban Expansion

• Eco-tourism circuits
• Controlled hill residential zones
• Smart disaster warning system
• Urban forestry expansion
• Renewable energy network
• River-based cultural economy

  Phase 4: 2076–2100

Advanced Resilient Hill City

• Full climate-resilient land use enforcement
• Integrated water-energy-waste system
• Long-term biodiversity corridors
• Sustainable mobility transformation
• Digital city monitoring platform

Phase 5: 2101–2126

Mature Hill–River–Culture–Eco Tourism City

• Ecological restoration maturity
• Stable urban growth boundaries
• International eco-tourism identity
• Long-term climate adaptation success
• Bandarban as a model hill city of Bangladesh

21. Monitoring Indicators

22. Expected Outcomes

The proposed 100-year master plan is expected to produce the following outcomes:

• A climate-resilient Bandarban City
• Reduced landslide and flash flood risk
• Protection of Sangu River and natural drainage systems
• Improved dry-season water security
• Environmentally responsible tourism growth
• Preservation of hills, forests, and biodiversity
• Stronger cultural identity in urban design
• Better public spaces for children, elderly people, tourists, and residents
• Low-carbon and nature-based infrastructure
• A long-term model for hill city planning in Bangladesh

23. Conclusion

The future of Bandarban City depends on how carefully it balances urban growth with hill ecology, river protection, cultural identity, and climate resilience. A 100-year master plan for Bandarban cannot be only a physical development plan; it must be an ecological and cultural commitment. The city should not imitate flatland urban models. Instead, it should become a model hill city where development follows the land, water is managed through nature-based systems, tourism supports local communities, and the Sangu River remains the heart of public life.

The vision “Hill–River–Culture–Eco Tourism City” offers a long-term framework for transforming Bandarban into a resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible urban settlement. Considering the climate change challenges of Bangladesh, this master plan can position Bandarban as a national example of climate-responsive hill urbanism for the next century.

References

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Government of Bangladesh. (2022). National Adaptation Plan of Bangladesh 2023–2050. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

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IPCC. (2023). Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

UN-Habitat. (2020). World Cities Report 2020: The Value of Sustainable Urbanization. United Nations Human Settlements Programme.

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UNWTO. (2018). Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals: Journey to 2030. World Tourism Organization.