The British Council and the Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements launched the Research and Insight publication “Sustainable Architecture Practice” at Bengal Shilpalay in Dhaka on Friday, marking the culmination of a nationwide study on sustainable and climate-adaptive architecture.
The event brought together architects, planners, built environment professionals, researchers, policymakers and members of the wider public. It highlighted the findings of a research initiative commissioned by the British Council and led by the Bengal Institute.
The publication maps sustainable and climate-adaptive architectural practices across Bangladesh, covering public, private and grassroots levels. It also presents policy recommendations to support the growth and recognition of the sector.
The launch featured introductory remarks by Professor Kazi Khaleed Ashraf, Director General of the Bengal Institute, a screening of a short documentary film produced as part of the project, and presentations by Professor Atiqur Rahman, Professor Ripin Kalra and Architect Khondaker Hasibul Kabir.
Speaking at the event, Professor Kazi Khaleed Ashraf said: "Sustainability presents a new paradigm in thinking and practice, especially in what we do as humans, on the Earth and to the Earth. What we might today call sustainable architecture has in fact existed for centuries — in how people lived across different geographies and climates, using distinctive materials and social resources to make their dwellings."
Representatives from the British Council also addressed the gathering before the formal inauguration of the report. Maarya Rehman, Deputy Director, Bangladesh, British Council, said, "We are proud to support this crucial research initiative, which highlights Bangladesh's diverse and innovative approaches to sustainable architecture and reflects the strength of collaboration between UK and Bangladesh expertise in addressing climate challenges through design. This publication not only amplifies local knowledge and practice but also contributes to global conversations on climate resilience and the creative economy. We hope that, by showcasing practical, locally rooted solutions, it will help inform future policy and inspire innovation across the built environment sector."
The publication documents and analyses practices from 2015 to the present through a scoping report, case studies of innovative sustainable design and a policy report offering guidance from an advisory board of experts on sustainability and resilience in architecture.
A series of public events, including the launch, is being organised to disseminate the findings broadly. The initiative is part of the British Council's commitment to the creative economy, the creative industries and to promoting climate resilience, innovation and capacity-building for professionals and policymakers in Bangladesh.
