Dhaka Earthquake & Emergency Preparedness Enhancing Resilience (DEEPER) Risk and Resource Mapping
Project Overview
The Dhaka Earthquake & Emergency Preparedness Enhancing Resilience (DEEPER) Risk and Resource Mapping Project was implemented to strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response capacity in Dhaka City. Supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities, the project focused on identifying earthquake-related secondary hazards and critical response resources at the community level.
The initiative aimed to map high-risk areas vulnerable to fire outbreaks, infrastructure damage, and other post-earthquake impacts while simultaneously identifying emergency response resources. Through geospatial analysis and network-based accessibility assessments, the project provided valuable information to support emergency planning, hazard mitigation, evacuation strategies, and rapid response operations.
Project Duration
February 2021 – March 2021
The assignment was completed within one month. Field data collection was conducted over five survey days across 14 wards of Dhaka City using trained volunteers and digital data collection tools.
Objectives
The project aimed to:
- Identify and map earthquake-related secondary hazard zones.
- Develop a comprehensive inventory of emergency response resources.
- Support emergency evacuation and response planning through spatial analysis.
- Improve disaster preparedness at the ward level.
- Strengthen community resilience through data-driven risk assessment.
- Support the development of a notification system for emergency information dissemination.
Methodology
The project adopted a participatory and geospatially driven approach combining field surveys, digital data collection, GIS analysis, and stakeholder validation.
Key activities included:
- Risk and Resource Mapping
- KoBo Toolbox-Based Digital Data Collection
- GIS Database Development
- Satellite Image Interpretation
- OpenStreetMap Data Integration
- Road Network Analysis
- Spatial Risk Assessment
- Stakeholder Consultation and Validation
Multiple geospatial datasets were collected and integrated from sources including Google Earth Pro, satellite imagery, OpenStreetMap, and official Dhaka South City Corporation maps. Survey teams used both paper maps and digital questionnaires to ensure accurate feature identification and location recording.
Challenges and Solutions
Accurate feature mapping within dense urban environments required a combination of field verification and spatial validation techniques. To improve positional accuracy, volunteers used paper maps alongside digital KoBo Toolbox surveys. All collected data underwent cross-validation through GIS-based spatial joins and comparison with manually plotted field maps.
To ensure consistency and quality, training sessions were conducted prior to field deployment, and a validation workshop was organized following data collection to review and approve project outputs.
Key Achievements
The project successfully developed detailed risk and resource maps for 14 wards of Dhaka City.
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Study Area Coverage | 14 Wards |
| Volunteers Mobilized | 28 |
| Data Collection Duration | 5 Days |
| Risk & Resource Features Identified | 1,164 |
| Risk and Resource Maps Produced | 14 Ward-Level Maps |
The project generated a comprehensive geospatial database of critical facilities, hazards, and emergency response resources, providing valuable information for disaster preparedness and emergency planning.
Our Contribution
Our team provided end-to-end technical and geospatial support throughout the assignment, including:
- Project Design and Planning
- Volunteer Training and Capacity Building
- Field Survey Coordination
- Data Collection and Monitoring
- GIS Database Development
- Spatial Analysis and Risk Assessment
- Data Validation and Quality Assurance
- Thematic Map Production
- Technical Reporting and Documentation
Project Impact
The DEEPER project strengthened disaster preparedness and emergency response planning within selected wards of Dhaka City by providing a detailed understanding of local risks, resources, and accessibility conditions. The resulting risk and resource maps support government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and community stakeholders in making informed decisions before, during, and after earthquake-related emergencies. The project also established a geospatial framework that can be expanded and replicated to support urban resilience initiatives across other areas of Bangladesh.