Bangladesh’s coastline is recognized around the world as one of the most vulnerable regions to the impact of climate change, facing cyclones, storm surges, flash floods, unremitting heat, and unpredictable rainfall. These increasing threats continue to endanger lives, people’s livelihoods, and infrastructure; demanding innovative approaches to building resilience. In response, the Seasonal Hazard Observation and Resilience Enhancement for Local Infrastructure (SHORELINE) project was launched to make actionable infrastructure planning decisions by bridging the gap between climate data and infrastructure planning. This project aimed to create a Climate Advisory Platform developed with nature-based solutions (NbS) and climate intelligence. Thirty years of observed meteorological records (1981–2024) from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) were compiled, cleaned, and coordinated into a uniform climatology baseline. These were cross-validated with ERA5 reanalysis datasets to correct for temporal gaps and ensure internal consistency. For future climate trajectories, bias-corrected CMIP6 projections from 13 Global Climate Models (GCMs) under the SSP245 scenario were downscaled to district and upazila levels, extending projections 75 years into the future (2025–2100). The observed and projected datasets were compared through statistical trend analysis, anomaly detection, and correlation testing to evaluate shifts in rainfall variability and temperature extremes. Historical BMD records were used to determine the reliability of different GCMs under various precipitation or temperature simulations. These data streams were integrated into a modular Decision Support System (DSS) designed in Python and SQL with a dynamic web interface. The system transformed the data into usable information across four modules: i) Risk Dashboard, ii) Weather Forecast Panel, iii) Infrastructure Advisory System, and iv) Planning Management Interface. The project completed delivery of a validated, field-ready platform which generates tailored district-level risk assessments, hazard-specific advisory planning guidance, and risk-assessment planning for time frames between short term (3-14 days) to long term (5-75 years) periods. Technical consultations with IWFM-BUET, a recognized water research institute, provided scientific justification for the thresholds, while the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), the regional implementing authority, provided feedback ensuring field-level output alignment with planning workflows. This project transforms raw climate data into operational intelligence and moves planning from reactive crisis response to anticipatory risk-informed action. The SHORELINE project provides a replicable framework integrating climate intelligence and NbS into infrastructure policy and governance. This highly advanced model has the potential to greatly enhance resilience not only across Bangladesh, but also in other climate-exposed and deltaic countries around the world.
Previous Article in event
Previous Article in session
Next Article in event
Next Article in session
SHORELINE: A Nature-based Solution (NbS) Integrated Climate DSS Platform for Coastal Infrastructure in Bangladesh
Published:
19 January 2026
by MDPI
in 3rd Conference on Future Challenges in Sustainable Urban Planning & Territorial Management
session Environmental Planning
Abstract:
Keywords: Nature-based solutions (NbS); Coastal infrastructure; Climate Resilience; Urban and Territorial Planning
