·       PhD in Urban Studies (2014), Heriot-Watt University, United Kingdom

PhD title: Pro-Poor urban adaptation to climate change in Bangladesh: A study of urban extreme poverty, vulnerability, and asset adaptation

 [The study used development theories to analyse and explain extreme poverty, vulnerability, and asset adaptation in urban context. The methods utilised in this research are fundamentally qualitative methods such as content analysis, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, key-informant interviews, and participants’ observations that aid analysis at micro scales. Most importantly, this research explored adaptation strategies and their impacts on poverty and vulnerability in the urban slums of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. (The study was fully funded by Heriot-Watt University.)] [Link: https://www.ros.hw.ac.uk/handle/10399/2779]

 PhD Supervisors: (1) Angela Hull, Retired Professor of Spatial Planning

                           (2) Dr Chris McWilliams, Assistant Professor, Heriot-Watt University                         

            PhD Examiners: (1) Dr Alfredo Stein Manchester University, UK

                            (2) Dr Gina Netto, Associate Professor, Heriot-Watt University, UK

·       Master of Governance and Development (2009), Institute of Development, Policy and Management, University of Antwerp, Belgium.

·       Bachelor of Urban & Rural Planning (2003), Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh. 

Climate change adaptation; poverty; vulnerability; resilience; governance; rural development

Current Research Project/Collaboration

·       Faculty (Current position- Professor), Urban & Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh, June 2006 – to date

(During the period, 2008-2009: on a study leave to pursue Master of Governance and Development at University of Antwerp Belgium; 2011-2014: having study leave to complete Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies at Heriot Watt University United Kingdom).

Major roles: At Urban and Rural Planning Discipline in Khulna University, I contribute to a range of bachelor graduate courses including those on urban governance, research method, disaster and climate studies, natural resources management and rural development planning. From 2016, I have been working as the ‘Graduate study programme coordinator’ at URP Discipline. Besides teaching at Khulna University, I am also implementing research projects which particularly address climate change adaptation, vulnerability and resilience, poverty, and governance. In addition, I also attend and present papers on different national and international seminars. Further, I supervise bachelor and master’s research students and carry out various administrative, and student affairs’ activities.

·       Research Assistant, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), December 2005- June 2006.

Major roles: I worked in TIB’s Research Division where I was responsible for implementing TIB’s research projects. While working in TIB’s research team, I dealt with two research projects: (i) Corruption in High Court, and (ii) Governance in Service Delivery Process in Dhaka City Corporation. In these projects, I had involved in research design phase and to perform my duties efficiently, I got some training on research methodology and report writing. Besides this, I also involved in TIB’s research extension activities.

·       Research Officer, Unicef-funded research project, ICMH, Matuail, Dhaka, September 2005- November 2005.

Major roles: It was an action research project which aims to assess efficiency of existing health care services in delivering services related with children mental growth. My responsibility was to monitor and evaluate public and private health care services in the study locations by involving field level project staffs. Additionally, I prepared project activity and monitoring reports; and helped research team in collecting and analysing field data.

·       Project Officer, Unicef funded HIV/AIDS Intervention Project, Paricharja, Dhaka, January 2005- September 2005.

Major roles: It was an awareness raising project which targeted women garments workers to raise their awareness on HIV/AIDS. My responsibilities were to implement project activities by involving field level staffs; to write reports; to monitor and evaluate counselling and awareness raising sessions. To perform my duties well, I got training on ‘Behavioural Change Communication (BCC)’.

·       Research Associate, Assessment of developing sustainable alternative livelihoods for fishers during closed seasons and identification of best enterprises in Goakhola-Hatiara Beel of Narail District, KU-World Fish Centre Partnership Research Project, February 2004- December 2004.

Major roles: It was a research project where I worked as a research associate. I was responsible for performing qualitative and quantitative surveys. Additionally, I also worked in database management. Then, I helped the key investigator to analyse data.

·       Research Assistant, Landscape design of existing parks and other recreational facilities in Khulna City, Khulna University Research Cell, Bangladesh, October 2003- January 2004.

Major roles: It was a research project where I worked as a research assistant. I was responsible for performing surveys and database management.

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• Shume, A. Z., Hossain, M. Z., Islam, M. T., Jobaer, M. A., Haque, S. F., & Rahaman, K. R. (2025). Gender-responsive disaster risk reduction strategy at the community level: A qualitative approach to analyze coastal communities in Bangladesh. Futures, 168, 103570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2025.103570
• Rahman, M. A., Hossain, M. Z., & Rahaman, K. (2025). Discerning resilience in the global north: A comparative analysis of policy adoption and its applicability to Bangladesh’s context. GeoJournal, 90(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-025-11297-6
• Jodder, P. K., Hossain, M. Z., & Thill, J.-C. F. (2025). Urban livability in a rapidly urbanizing mid-size city: Lessons for planning in the global South. Sustainability, 17(4), 1504. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17041504
• Naz, S., Hossain, M. Z., & Rahaman, K. (2025). Assessing the effectiveness of a rights-based approach for pro-poor WASH services: A study in urban poor settlements in Khulna, Bangladesh. World Development Perspectives, 37, 100663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wdp.2025.100663
• Hossain, M. M., Islam, M. T., Sikder, S. K., Hemstock, S. L., Islam, M. A., Faruquee, M. H., & Hossain, M. Z. (2025). Urban environment in South Asia: Study of ambient air quality in a midsize city in Bangladesh. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsc.2025.1497768
• Himel, T. I., Hossain, M. Z., & Rahaman, K. R. (2025). Unraveling climate change vulnerability and adaptation in flood-affected communities of northern Bangladesh: A multidimensional poverty perspective. Environmental Development, 54, 101135. Available online January 13, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101135
• Islam, M. T., Hossain, M. M., Ha-Mim, N. M., Hossain, M. Z., & Sikder, S. K. (2025). Climate change impacts on shoreline migration and community livelihood resilience: Evidence from coastal Bangladesh. Frontiers in Sustainability. Published January 7, 2025. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2024.1525483
• Himel, I.T., Naz, S., Hossain, M.Z. and Rahaman, K. R. (2024). COVID‑19 impact on urban low‑income individuals in Bangladesh: a qualitative content analysis. Journal of Social and Economic Development. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40847-024-00342-8
  
• Jobaer, Md. A., Hossain, Md. Z., Ha-Mim, N. M., Haque, S. F., & Rahaman, K. R. (2024). Examining the link between marginality and differential climate resilience among disaster-affected communities in southwestern Bangladesh. Climate and Development, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2024.2329465
• Ha‑Mim, M.N., Hossain, Z.M., Islam, T.M. and Rahaman, R.K. (2024). Evaluating resilience of coastal communities upon integrating PRISMA protocol, composite resilience index and analytical hierarchy process. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 101, p. 104256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2024.104256. 
• Naz, S., Himel, I.T., Rafi, T., Islam, S., Neha, B.S., Islam, T.S., Hasan, M.M., Ha-Mim, M.N., Hossain, Z.M. and Rahaman, R.K. (2024). 
• Investigating Loss and Damage in Coastal Region of Bangladesh 
• from Migration as Adaptation Perspective: A Qualitative Study 
• from Khulna and Satkhira District. 
World, 5, pp. 79–106. https://doi.org/10.3390/world5010005
• Rahman, M.A., Hossain, Z.M., Ha‑Mim, M.N., Tanvir, F., Islam, S. and Rahaman, R.K. (2023). Measuring the level of rurality in the Southwestern region of Bangladesh. Frontiers of Urban and Rural Planning. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44243-023-00024-9
• Hossain, Z.M., Rahman, M.A.U., Rahaman, R.K., Ha-mim, M.N. and Haque, F.S. (2023) Investigating critical relationships among vulnerability, livelihoods, and non‑migration strategies at the fishing communities in the Sundarbans. Environment, Development and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03857-y 
• Rahman, A.M., Hossain, Z.M. and Rahaman, R.K (2023) Climate Urbanism as a New Urban Development Paradigm: Evaluating a City’s Progression towards Climate Urbanism in the Global South. Climate, 11(8), p. 159. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli11080159
• Alam, S.M., Chakraborty, T., Hossain, Z.M. and Rahaman, R.K. (2022) Evacuation dilemmas of coastal households during cyclone Amphan and amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: a study of the Southwestern region of Bangladesh. Natural Hazards. 1-31. doi: 10.1007/s11069-022-05564-9.

• Ha-mim, M.N., Rahman, A.M., Hossain, Z.M., Fariha, N.J., and Rahaman, R.K. (2022) Employing multi-criteria decision analysis and geospatial techniques to assess flood risks: A study of Barguna district in Bangladesh. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 77: 103081

• Rahaman, R.K., Mallick, B., Priodarshini, R., Shakil, I.W., and Hossain, Z.M. (2022) COVID-19 Burdens on Livelihood Opportunities: A Study of Easy-Bike Drivers in Rangpur City, Bangladesh. World. 3(3): 389-402. https://doi.org/10.3390/world3030021. 

• Ha-mim, M.N. and Hossain, Z.M. (2022) ‘Application of GIS-and AHP-Based Integrated Methodology for Mapping and Characterization of Associated Socioeconomic Vulnerability to Natural Hazards at Union Level: A Case Study of Southwestern Coastal Bangladesh’, in C. Ghosh and S. Kolathayar (eds.). A System Engineering Approach to Disaster Resilience, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering 205. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-7397-9_14.

• Mukaddim, S. and Hossain, Z.M. (2021) Exploring the relationship between distinct identity formation and urban climate displacees in a post‑migration context. SN Social Sciences, 1:186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-021-00195-6

• Rahman, M.A.U. and Hossain, Z.M. (2021) ‘Democratic Decentralisation and Promotion of Accountability in Urban Development in Bangladesh,’ Journal of Social and Economic Development (JSED). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40847-021-00150-4 

• Islam, T.M., Charlesworth, M., Aurangojeb, M., Hemstock, S., S.K. Sikder, K.S., M.S., Hassan, S.M., P.K. Dev, K.P. and Hossain, Z.M. (2021) ‘Revisiting disaster preparedness in coastal communities since 1970s in Bangladesh with an emphasis on the case of tropical cyclone Amphan,’ International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102175. 

• Ha-mim, M.N. and Hossain, Z.M. (2021) ‘Factors affecting rural communities’ adaptation choices to climate change effects in southwest Bangladesh’, in Filho, L.W., Luetz, J.M. and Ayal, D. Handbook of Climate Change Management: Research, Leadership, Transformation, Springer International Publishing, Springer Nature Switzerland AG. https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030572808

• Hossain, Z.M. and Rahman, M.M. (2020) ‘Climate change vulnerability and resilience of urban poor in Khulna, Bangladesh: the role of asset-based community development approach,’ International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development. https://doi.org/10.1080/19463138.2020.1828891 

• Mudasser, M., Hossain, Z.M., Rahaman, R.K. and Ha-mim, M.N. (2020) ‘Investigating the Climate-Induced Livelihood Vulnerability Index in Coastal Areas of Bangladesh’ World, 1(2), 149-170; https://doi.org/10.3390/world1020012

• Ha-mim, M.N., Hossain, Z.M., Rahaman, R.K. & Mallick, B. (2020) ‘Exploring vulnerability-resilience-livelihood nexus in the face of climate change: A Multi-Criteria Analysis for Mongla, Bangladesh’, Sustainability, 12, 7054. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/17/7054.

• Hossain, Z.M., Sayed, A. & Rahman, M.M. (2020) ‘Role of rural-urban linkages in local development: A comparative study on two rural settlements in Bangladesh’, in A. Kratzer, J. Kister, (eds). Rural-Urban Linkages for Sustainable Development. Routledge.

• Mukaddim, S., Hossain, Z.M. & Sikder, K.S. (2020) ‘Urban environmental migrants: demands a unique category of human refugees to ensure their right to land and resettlements’, in A. Ley, A.U. Rahman and J. Fokdal, (eds). Housing and Human Settlements in a World of Change. Transcript, Bielefeld, Germany.

• Ha-mim, M.N. & Hossain, Z.M. (2020) ‘Differential climate change vulnerability among different poverty groups in southwestern Bangladesh: Lessons for adaptation planning’, Recent Research in Science and Technology, 2020, 12, pp. 6-10.[Link: doi: 10.25081/rrst.2020.12.6084]. 

• Hossain, Z.M. and Rahman, M.A.U. (2018) ‘Pro-Poor adaptation for the urban extreme poor in the context of climate change: A study on Dhaka city, Bangladesh’, International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 10 (3), 389-406. https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/IJCCSM-08-2016-0117 

• Hossain, Z.M. and Rahman, M.A.U. (2018) ‘Adaptation to climate change as resilience for urban extreme poor: Lessons learned from targeted asset transfers programmes in Dhaka city of Bangladesh’, Environment, Development and Sustainability, 20 (1), 407-432. [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10668-016-9888-2]

• Rahman, M.A.U., Hossain, Z.M. and Kabir, M.E. (2016) ‘Operationalizing community-led housing in practice: Lessons from Bangkok, Thailand and Mumbai, India’, International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, 5, 564-578. [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212609015301047]

• Hossain, Z.M. and Huq, N. (2012) ‘Institutions matter for urban resilience: The institutional challenges in mainstreaming climate smart disaster risk management in Bangladesh’, in: Filho, L.W. (ed.), Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, Berlin: Springer,169-191.

• Talukdar M.H., Mia, A.A. and Hossain Z.M. (2016) ‘Corruption and citizen economic capacity: The equation’, Management Research Practice, 8(2), 54-66.

• Huq, N., Hossain, Z., Hasan, R. and A. M. Azad (2011) ‘Climate proofing water resources development policy: The evidence from Bangladesh’, in: Filho, L.W. (ed.), Climate Change and the Sustainable Use of Water Resources, Berlin: Springer, 389-400.

• Talukdar M. H. and Hossain Z. (2011) ‘Planning tools that can be used to facilitate urban sustainability’, Management Research Practice, 3(4), 67-76.

• Huq, N., Hossain, Z., and Chowdhury, A.N. (2010) ‘Financing adaptation – for whom, by whom and how’, in: Filho, L.W. (ed.), Social, Economic and Political Aspects of Climate Change, Berlin: Springer, 289-300. 

• Alam, M.A., Hossain Z.M., Rahman, M.A and Salauddin, M. (2009) ‘Designing an effective water supply network for Khulna City: A GIS based approach’, Plan Plus, 5, 88-101.

• Rahaman, R.K. and Hossain Z.M. (2009) ‘Utilising urban space for better traffic management- A study of Khulna central business district, Bangladesh’, Management Research Practice, 1(1), 26-38.

• Rahaman, K.R., Hossain Z.M., Rahman, M.A and Islam, M.S. (2009) ‘Practicing governance: Pitfalls and potentials- A study of Bangladesh’, Economia Seria Management, 12(2), 57-72.

• Hossain, R., Ahsan, M.M. Hossain, Z.M. and Rahman, M.A.U. (2008) ‘Indigenous knowledge and practices for cyclone preparedness in coastal Bangladesh’, in: Wallendorf, L., Jones, C., Ewing, L. and Jaffe, B. (ed.), Solutions to Coastal Disasters 2008, USA: American Society of Civil Engineers, 826-837.

• Rahaman, K.R., Hossain, Z.M., Rahman, M.A., and Afrin, S. (2008) ‘Pedestrian’s accidents and awareness: A study of Dhaka City, Bangladesh’, Khulna University Studies, 9(2), 173-180.

• Rahaman, K.R., Afrin, S., Rahman, M.A., and Hossain, Z.M. (2007) ‘Modeling system coherence to know the pedestrian’s level of services in Dhaka City’, Khulna University Studies, 8(1), 13-19.

• Islam, M.S., Rahaman, K.R., Rahman, M.A., and Hossain Z.M. (2007) ‘Environment and sustainable development of Bangladesh’, Bangladesh Journal of Resources and Development, 4(1), 89-101.

• Rahaman, K.R., Ohmori, N., Afrin, S., and Hossain, Z.M. (2006) ‘Assessing the walkway’s level of services by using analytical hierarchical processing: A model developed for Dhaka city, Bangladesh’, Plan Plus, 4, 136-144.

 Articles in the international conference proceedings

• Hossain, Z.M., Rahman, M.M., Ha-Mim, M.N., Rahaman, R.K., Jobaer, A.M., and Haque, F.S. (2022) A comprehensive approach to combine the roles of donors and state in building climate resilience strategies for the urban poor. N-AERUS XXI Conference, jointly organised by University of Kassel and Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University. 

• Hossain, Z.M., and Rahman, M.M. (2022) Rethinking Resilience in Bangladesh’s Urban Slum Communities: An Experimental Thought. URBANET https://www.urbanet.info

• Jobaer, A.M., Haque, F.S., Hossain, Z.M., and Shozib, S.I.M. (2022) Assessing urban poor resilience to natural disasters using analytic hierarchy process-based model: A case study on Khulna city. International Conference on STEM and 4th Industrial Revolution, Science, Engineering and Technology School, Khulna University.

• Himel, T.I., Naz, S., Hossain, Z.M., Afrin, S. and Fariha, N.J. (2022) Measuring Rural Poverty Using Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Case Study on Khulna, 5th ICSD- International Conference on Sustainable Development, United International University.

• Himel, T.I., Talukder, H.R., Hossain, Z.M., Naz, S., Afrin, S. and Fariha, N.J. (2021) Assessing Spatial Flood Vulnerability of Greater Rangpur Region in Bangladesh Using GIS: A Tool for Resilience Planning at Regional Scale, 2nd International Conference on Urban and Regional Planning, Bangladesh. Bangladesh Institute of Planners.

• Ha-Mim N.M and Hossain Z.M. (2019) ‘Nexus between vulnerability and adaptation in the context of climate change: Evidence from coastal area in Bangladesh’, International Conference on Climate Change, University of Dhaka.

• Moniruzzaman, M.S. and Hossain, Z.M. (2019) ‘Factors influencing coastal city resilience to climate change: A case study on Mongla city’, International Conference on Climate Change, University of Dhaka.

• Ha-Mim N.M, Hossain Z.M. and Moniruzzaman, M.S. (2019) ‘Asset based profile approach for understanding differentiated vulnerability and resilience of coastal households in the context of climate change’, International Conference on Disaster Risk Management, BUET-Japan Institute of Disaster Prevention and Urban Safety (BUET-JIDPUS) Dhaka, Bangladesh.

• Moniruzzaman, M.S., Hossain, Z.M. and Ha-Mim N.M. (2019) ‘Assessing physical vulnerability in coastal Bangladesh towards natural disasters: A composite index approach’, International Conference on Disaster Risk Management, BUET-Japan Institute of Disaster Prevention and Urban Safety (BUET-JIDPUS) Dhaka, Bangladesh.

• Mukaddim, S., Hossain, Z.M. and Sikder, S.K. (2018) ‘Urban environmental migrants: Demands a unique category of human refugees to ensure their right to land and resettlements’, N-AERUS XIX Stuttgart Conference, 08th – 10th November 2018.

• Hossain, Z.M. (2018) ‘Asset based approach for enhancing resilience of urban poor in the context climate change: How far is it transformative climate action in Bangladesh?’, Cities and Climate Change, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada March 5 - 7, 2018.

• Rahman, M.A.U., Hossain, Z.M. and Singha, C. (2016) ‘Impact of resettlement on the livelihood of slum dwellers: A case study on Mandartola Housing, Gopalgonj, Bangladesh’, First Bangladesh Planning Research Conference, Department of Urban & Regional Planning, Jahangirnagar University and German Development Cooperation (GIZ).

• Hossain Z.M., Zaman, Z.M. and Talukdar M.H. (2010) ‘Heterogeneity and handicapped functionality of urban local governments in Bangladesh and capacity for urban Planning’, 4th International Conference on Built Environment in Developing Countries- A better tomorrow begins with a greener today, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in collaboration with University of South Australia.

• Hossain Z.M. and Haque, M. M. (2010) ‘Climate change and rural to urban forced migration in coastal regions of Bangladesh: Need for adaptive social protection as a strategy’, GMSTEC 2010: International Conference for a Sustainable Greater Mekong Sub-region, Bangkok, Thailand.

• Rahaman, K.R., Hossain Z.M., Rahman, M.A and Afrin, S. (2007) ‘Access to housing for disadvantaged groups using affordable standards of services: A study of Mudafa slum in Tongi Pourashava’, Architecture for the Economically Disadvantaged, Department of Architecture, BUET.