Research Protocol for Assessing Vulnerabilities and Adaptation Strategies for Vulnerable Communities in Climate-Affected Khulna City of Southwest Coastal Bangladesh

Background : Vulnerable populations in Khulna City, Bangladesh, are increasingly at risk from climate change due to their geographical context, socio-economic disparities, and insufficient urban resilience. Although there are initiatives aimed at climate adaptation, these efforts often lack equity and inclusivity, ignoring the specific vulnerabilities faced by women-led households, ethnic minorities, low-income groups, climate migrants, landless farmers and fisher s, and persons with disability. This protocol articulates a mixed-methods research design intended to evaluate these challenges and collaboratively develop climate adaptation strategies that prioritize justice and community engagement. Methods/Design: This study employs a mixed-methods approach that combines household interviews, expert consultations, and community focus groups discussions to investigate the lived experiences, adaptive capacities, and obstacles encountered by at-risk populations in Khulna. Additionally, a review of policy and governance will be conducted to pinpoint equity deficiencies in adaptation planning. Thematic analysis will be utilized to extract insights from qualitative data, while quantitative data will facilitate trend analysis. The integration of community knowledge with expert perspectives aims to generate context-specific priorities and inclusive adaptation strategies. Discussion: This protocol study seeks to bridge significant research gaps at the nexus of urban climate resilience and climate justice. By utilizing participatory and intersectional methodologies, it endeavours to uncover overlooked vulnerabilities and amplify the voices of marginalized communities. Ethical considerations, such as obtaining informed consent and ensuring respect for participants, are fundamental to the research design. Ultimately, the study aspires to inform equitable climate adaptation policies in Khulna and similar vulnerable urban delta regions, contributing to broader discussions surrounding global climate justice.