Refresher Course At Khulna University, Bangladesh.

Dr. Sheeba Chander, Dean (SPADE) attended a refresher course on “Climate Change Induced Displacement Affecting Female Migrants’ Access to Livelihoods in Asian Cities: Improving Food and Water Security in Urban Upgrading and Resettlement” conducted by IHS, Erasmus University, and hosted by Khulna University, Bangladesh from 3 to 14 April 2022. The course was fully sponsored by Orange Knowledge programme covering tuition fee, accommodation, travel cost, food, etc. A total of 17 participants from India, Nepal, Philippines, Indonesia and Bangladesh participated.

Dr. Sheeba handled a session on “Inclusive Planning for the Improvement of Quality of Life of Females in Informal Settlements – Case Study of Chennai, Tamil Nadu” as a resource person. She briefed upon the informal settlements in Chennai and highlighted the initiatives taken by Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) for the improvement of quality of life of women.

The refresher course covered sessions on community led practices by Dr. Ashiq Ur Rahman, & Dr. Afroz Pavvin; case studies on “Informal Settlements and its Impact Due to Climate Change and How it Affected the Livelihood of the People in Informal Settlements, especially, Women” by Dr. Alonso Ayla, Dr.Sheikh Hakim,and Dr. Mansee Bal Bhargava; lecture on “Feminist participatory action research” by Dr. Maartjee Van Eerd; sessions by Ms. Sumaiye Rathan and Ms. David Schclkshon; guidance for action plan preparations by Dr. Alonso Ajale; field visits to the heritage sites in and around Bagehot, and rehabilitated informal settlement in Mandortala and Green land; and an excursion to Sundarbans.

The last day of the course observed the celebration of Bangladesh’s New Year day where all the participants rejoiced witnessing Lathi khela, a traditional martial art form and cock fight. All participants were provided with the traditional dress of Bangladesh. The course ended with distribution of certificates and Iftar being served. As a key takeaway of the refresher course, SPADE proposes to offer an Elective course on “Gender and Urban Planning”.