Paper short abstract:

Learning from neighbouring India of its redistributive and restorative justice approach, Dhaka can strive towards a just urban development that benefits all residents, irrespective of their social or historical background.

Paper long abstract:

Dhaka, due to its heavy concentration of people, assets and infrastructure and its already highly stratified profiles of socio-economic disadvantage and vulnerability, has become critical locations for climate justice. Extreme heat, flooding, and environmental degradation threaten the well-being of all residents, but marginalized communities, such as the Biharis, are particularly vulnerable. Life has never been easy for them. They had to undergo tumultuous events surrounding the partition of British India in 1947 resulting from decolonization. They then migrated to East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, but when Bangladesh gained liberation from East Pakistan in 1971, they underwent marginalization and discrimination. Even after 52 years of the Bangladesh Liberation War, they are confined to camps in Dhaka. They reside in crowded and underdeveloped camps and lacks the resources and infrastructure necessary to cope with the effects of climate change. Although they are least responsible for the climate changes, they find themselves most vulnerable by it. One similar historically marginalized community is the Dalits of neighbouring country India. Although the nature and historical roots of their marginalization are different, they are both historically marginalized communities. Today, due to continued efforts, Dalits are participating in decision-making processes and fostering a more inclusive and equitable urban development. These continued efforts are addressing the historical inequalities they face, thus uplifting their socio-economic status and ensuring their inclusion in the development process. Likewise, Bihari community in Dhaka, if given similar redistributive and restorative treatments, they are likely to reap a just urban climate justice in polarised times.