Assessing the capacity for adaptation and collaboration in the context of freshwater pollution management in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract This paper critically assesses the capacity of water sector actors in Dhaka to further support more collaborative and adaptive approaches to emerging freshwater pollution management challenges. Socio-economic, demographic and environmental changes (e.g., flooding) pose substantial and shifting barriers to effective freshwater pollution management in Dhaka, with direct implications for population health. We draw on the insights from 25 semi-structured interviews with government, non-government, industry and academic key informants to: (1) examine current levels of engagement and collaboration among key stakeholders in the freshwater pollution management context; (2) assess the subsequent capacity of those actors to adapt to challenging conditions and to improve water pollution management; and (3) consider the opportunities to enhance current institutional arrangements in ways that build linkages among key stakeholders across levels and sectors. Our research highlights a general interest among participants for more collaborative and adaptive processes in freshwater pollution management in Dhaka. However, findings also highlight the pressure water sector actors feel about the time required to make progress on water pollution management challenges, and the concern that collaboration will exacerbate those challenges. Furthermore, our findings show the overlapping jurisdictional claims and mandates in Dhaka that make concerted action difficult, and that ultimately undermine clarity for collaborative and adaptive action.