Planning climate destination cities: migrant narratives from Mongla, Bangladesh

Climate-related migration is a growing phenomenon. Extensive research exists concerning the hazard contexts and decision-making factors that shape these migration dynamics. However, the experiences of migrants in climate “destination cities” are understudied. Planning efforts to reduce vulnerability and increase conditions of liveability for migrants in these cities could benefit from concerted efforts to engage with them directly. Recently, two approaches for understanding the liveability of destination cities have emerged: the “Climate-Resilient Migrant-Friendly Town” (CRMFT) framework and the Vulnerable City/Recipient City/Climate Destination typology. Engaging with both, this study investigates the mid-sized port city of Mongla, Bangladesh as a potential climate destination, analyzing how migrants narrate liveability using standards associated with these frameworks. Based on semi-structured interviews with 21 migrants who have relocated to Mongla, we find labour opportunities, and local services and infrastructure are key dimensions of urban liveability. Both the availability of remunerative livelihood opportunities and the challenges around accessing basic services, such as water, must be critical considerations for planners intent on reducing vulnerabilities. Narratives reveal that neither major framework, alone, is sufficient for informing liveable climate destination cities. These results advance conceptualizations for planning climate destinations by centreing migrants’ lived experiences.