Project Description

The Livelihoods Improvement of Urban Poor Communities Project (LIUPCP), funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by the Local Government Division (LGD) in collaboration with UNDP, aimed to sustainably improve the livelihoods and living conditions of the urban poor across cities in Bangladesh. The project adopted a governance-based approach that strengthened participatory planning, urban governance, and pro-poor policy interventions. Under this broader framework, Disaster Management Watch was awarded a contract by UNDP to carry out Urban Poor Settlement Mapping in four cities—Dhaka South City Corporation, Gazipur City Corporation, Noakhali Municipality, and Gopalganj Municipality. The mapping served as a foundational activity to identify, locate, and assess urban poor settlements using both spatial and socio-economic indicators. The assignment aimed to produce geo-referenced maps and data on informal settlements to assist policymakers and development partners in better targeting interventions under LIUPCP. The mapping process emphasized participation, involving community members, local government representatives, and NGOs in data collection and validation.

The specific objectives of the assignment were to

• Collect multi-dimensional poverty data from identified settlements.
• Promote a participatory approach to poverty assessment and settlement mapping.
• Build the capacity of Community Development Committees (CDCs) and Town Federations in data collection and mapping.
• Create GIS-based datasets and maps to support urban planning and pro-poor policy decisions. Disaster Management Watch (Lead Firm) was responsible for technical and field operations, while Communication and Development (Sub-Consultant) supported data visualization, communication design, and knowledge dissemination deliverables.

Service Provided By Communication and Development Limited

The sub-consultant provided specialized communication and visualization support, ensuring that the findings and maps were effectively communicated to diverse

stakeholders. Key services included

• Designed infographics, report layouts, and map templates for print and digital dissemination.
• Prepared summary decks, posters, and communication briefs highlighting key findings for each city.
• Supported facilitation of dissemination events, producing multimedia materials for stakeholder presentations.
• Enhanced the accessibility of mapping outputs by developing user-friendly design formats for GIS and printed reports.

Key Deliverables

• Inception Report
• Finalized Mapping and Survey Tools (Scorecards, Checklists)
• GIS-Based Settlement Maps and Shapefiles
• Mahalla and Ward-Level Poverty Maps (Digital + Print)
• Draft and Final Reports (Designed in InDesign)
• Summary Decks and Communication Materials
• Dissemination Workshops and Presentation Slides