Urban household adaptation to extreme heatwaves: health impacts, socio-economic disparities and sustainable strategies in Rajshahi

Urban heat waves are becoming increasingly intense and frequent, posing severe health risks and exacerbating socio-economic disparities within vulnerable populations. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this study explores the impacts of heatwaves on public health, socio-economic disparities, and the adaptive strategies employed by households in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, a region characterized by rapid urbanization and a pronounced Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects. Key health outcomes observed include physical and mental health effects, such as increased incidences of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heightened anxiety during prolonged heat periods. Through Principal Component Analysis (PCA), we identified three primary adaptation strategies: personal behavior modification, resource utilization, physical adjustment or structural adaptation. The study also examines the socio-economic disparities influencing heat wave resilience among urban households, focusing on the impacts of income, education, occupation, and gender on adaptive capacity. . Low-income households are disproportionately affected, lacking adequate cooling resources and relying on less effective passive methods. Adaptive strategies like using fans, accessing water, and providing shelter are commonly employed, but their effectiveness is often limited by socioeconomic factors. Outdoor laborers face heightened vulnerability due to limited occupational flexibility, exacerbating health risks. Education emerges as a critical factor, with higher educational attainment associated with greater awareness and adaptive behaviors. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address heatwave vulnerability, particularly among low-income urban households. To enhance heatwave resilience in urban areas, the study proposes sustainable and long-term solutions focusing on green infrastructure, improved urban planning, and community-based strategies, with a specific emphasis on protecting marginalized groups.