The Strategic Design Approaches for Chittagong Hill Areas to Reduce Risks of Landslides and Exploring the Opportunity of Tourism Development

Chittagong is the largest port city and second largest city of Bangladesh which contributes substantial role in the economic development of Bangladesh. Chittagong, as a home of sea and hill tracts, is quite an attractive location for sea and hill tourism. Surrounded by the rivers and hills and the sea, Chittagong possess the opportunity to uphold its image as a fascinating multiple tourism destination where the visitors or tourists will enjoy both the sea and hill. The Chittagong has opened boundless opportunities for thousands of people living in the hilly area and it is needless to mention about the enormous potentials. But unfortunately nowis highly vulnerable to landslide hazard, with an increasing trend of frequency and damage. The major recent landslide events were related to extreme rainfall intensities having short period of time. All the major landslide events occurred as a much higher rainfall amount compared to the monthly average. Moreover rapid urbanization, increased population density, improper land use, alterations in the hilly regions by illegally cutting the hills, indiscriminate deforestation and agricultural practices are aggravating the landslide vulnerability in Chittagong city.The aim of this study is toassess the landslide vulnerability and explores different strategic design measures on the basis of assessment of risk, uncertainty, possible consequences, constructability, environmental impacts and costs. It suggests that, while proposing a specific measure, it is best to keep simple to match the physical characteristics of the hill and the availability of materials. The study makes an effort to contribute in the development of a comprehensive design solution to reduce landslide vulnerability that can be adapted to ensure the settlers immediate safety and at the same time promote a sustainable tourism development.