Every map tells a story. Some stories are drawn with roads and buildings. Others are written through people, voices, and lived experiences. This is the story of how mapping became a bridge between climate vulnerability and community resilience in the heart of Dhaka. Under the Climate Resilience Fellowship, proudly supported by OpenMappingHub Asia Pacific, our Team 8 embarked on a journey called “Healthy Homes, Safer Futures.” Our goal was simple yet powerful: to strengthen climate awareness and resilience among vulnerable communities living in Dhaka’s urban informal settlements.

Where It All Began

In early May, all ten fellowship teams gathered in Dhaka, sharing ideas and aspirations for climate action. We were two coordinators: Mohammad Azharul Islam — Oceanographer and GIS Analyst at the Center for Geoservice and Research Ahsan Habib Saimon — Capacity Building Officer at Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh Together, they envisioned a project that would connect data, digital tools, and grassroots knowledge to create safer living environments.

Walking Through Vulnerability

On 22nd August, our team stepped into the narrow alleys of Mirpur’s slum settlements. Climate change here is not an abstract concept it is visible in waterlogged pathways, overheated tin roofs, poor sanitation, and fragile housing structures. After consultations and careful observation, we selected Duaripara Slum as our core study area. Over the following days, we collected data from more than 400 households, representing over 8,200 people. But beyond the numbers were conversations, stories of survival, adaptation, and hope. Community leaders shared their concerns about flooding, health risks, and extreme heat. Residents spoke about their struggles but also about their determination. Mapping was no longer just about coordinates. It became about understanding lived realities.

Building Knowledge, Building Confidence

On 24th August, we conducted our first capacity-building training with 20 community participants from Duaripara. We discussed: - Climate risks in urban slums - Health impacts of poor WASH practices - Climate-smart hygiene behaviors - The power of community-led solutions Through practical demonstrations and interactive discussions, participants began to see themselves not as victims of climate change but as agents of change. The energy in the room was transformative.

1st Training

The first training focused on climate resilience and community preparedness, and it was facilitated by M. Rezaul Karim from Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK). With his extensive experience in community health and development, he guided participants through the realities of climate vulnerability in urban informal settlements like Duaripara. The session explored how flooding, extreme heat, poor drainage, and inadequate sanitation directly impact household health and safety. Through participatory discussions and practical examples, he emphasized locally adaptable solutions, safe water management, improved hygiene behavior, and collective preparedness strategies. His facilitation style encouraged open dialogue, allowing participants to connect climate concepts with their daily experiences and recognize their own role in strengthening resilience.

2nd Training

The second training centered on community mapping and digital data collection, led by Mohammad Azharul Islam from the Center for Geoservices and Research and an OpenMappingHub GURU under OpenMappingHub Asia Pacific. He introduced participants to open-source mapping tools, particularly KoboToolbox, and provided step-by-step hands-on guidance on using smartphones for survey design and data submission. Participants learned how to collect GPS points, structure questionnaires, ensure data accuracy, and maintain ethical standards such as informed consent. The training transformed digital tools from unfamiliar technology into accessible instruments for community empowerment, helping residents understand how mapping can make their challenges visible and actionable.

Digital Skills for Local Change

On 5th September, we introduced participants to KoboToolbox, an open-source digital platform for field data collection. For many trainees, this was their first time using digital survey tools on smartphones. Curiosity quickly turned into excitement as they: - Learned to design simple surveys - Practiced submitting digital forms - Understood how community data can influence planning Technology, once distant and unfamiliar, became accessible and empowering. The following day, they took these skills into the field, collecting household data, speaking with neighbors, and documenting vulnerabilities. It was a powerful moment: community members mapping their own community.

Reflection and Impact

On 24th September, we gathered once more to reflect. Participants shared how they had: - Improved hygiene practices at home - Discussed preparedness measures with neighbors - Increased awareness about climate risks - Built confidence in using digital tools - Small behavioral shifts were already visible in cleaner surroundings, better conversations around sanitation, and stronger collective engagement.

“Healthy Homes, Safer Futures” was no longer just a fellowship project. It had become a shared movement.

You can learn more about our project through our website: Healthy Homes, Safer Future Also watch this video: Healthy Homes, Safer Future (YouTube)