Binks Institute of Sustainability: Codifying regenerative design approaches for upscaling climate-resilient livelihood-inclusive affordable net zero homes in Bangladesh

This proposal builds on the award-winning research ‘floating homes’ programme (UN Risk Award 2019) led by the UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy & Science (Mukherjee & Rowan) initiated in 2016. This has leveraged over £750k of funding into action-based research seeking innovations for affordable low carbon disaster-resilient housing. We are currently working with Bangladesh Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on proposals to upscale this concept (based on our latest prototype completed in June 2023) to build c. 800 new disaster-resilient homes in two hazard prone locations. The specifics of the University’s role in delivering this programme remain unconfirmed, but as a minimum we will explore the social dimensions of large scale resilience-centric housing in the face of the global climate emergency. The studentship will investigate utilisation of our radical ultra-low carbon construction techniques (compressed soil brick and structural bamboo reducing GHG emissions by 90%) along with green finance initiatives e.g., carbon trading to fund community-based mitigation/adaptation planning. It will therefore identify ‘best practice’ in delivering low-cost climate-resilient housing at scale – seeking to codify and apply regenerative design principles centred on safety/security, livelihood provision, localism/cultural appropriateness, affordability and delivery of the just transition drawing on the values and aspirations of different communities in their unique situational contexts.

Understanding how climate futures are planned, whether from top-down (government policies and plans) or bottom-up household or community-led perspectives (e.g. autonomous adaptation practices), is vital to achieving thriving equitable futures. From the outset a distinction will be made between house and home. The former typically represents the structural aspects of a dwelling, whilst the latter is more relational to place, aesthetics, liveability, emotional attachment and sense of wellbeing. The Binks Scholar will engage with climate scientists, architects, planners, designers and craftspeople to draw inspiration from local arts and crafts and indigenous technologies. The disaster-resilient home is an important contribution to the just transition, not only because its nature-based construction ethos, but because the house is energy secure through solar power panels; water secure through rainwater capture for drinking/sanitation needs; food secure through aquaculture (fish) and aquaponics (culinary greens/vegetables, microgreens) and poultry production, and through circular processing creates minimal waste. The livelihood aspects of the design extend to production of traditional crafts products from locally sourced jute, reed and bamboo. Collectively these offer resident families (especially women and children) income generation throughout the year and refuge in times of crisis – with associated health, education and inclusivity benefits. In this way the disaster-resilient and livelihood-inclusive concept tackles at least 13 out of 17 SDGs, especially SDG6 that enhance resilience in the face of growing climatic uncertainties. The interdisciplinary nature of the project means as well as a strong science base, the successful candidate will require interests in participatory approaches involving co-design and co-creation and use of qualitative methods including ethnography. Full training and language support will be provided through established project partners in Dhaka.

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Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.