Topic:
“Urbanization in Bangladesh: Challenges, Trends, and Pathways to Sustainable City
Development”
Introduction:
Bangladesh is experiencing one of the fastest urbanization rates in South Asia. Over 38% of the
population now lives in urban areas, and this is projected to reach 50% by 2040. While urban
growth drives economic development, it also brings serious challenges related to housing,
infrastructure, governance, pollution, and inequality — especially in mega-cities like Dhaka
and Chattogram.
Key Areas to Explore:
1. Urbanization Trends and Drivers:
a. Population Shift:
• Rural-to-urban migration is fueled by poverty, climate change (e.g., river erosion,
flooding), and lack of rural employment.
• Dhaka is now one of the most densely populated cities in the world (over 47,000
people/km² in the core areas).
b. Economic Concentration:
• Urban areas contribute over 65% of GDP.
• Industrial hubs like Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, and Chattogram attract investment,
jobs, and infrastructure projects.
c. Informal Settlements Growth:
• Nearly 35% of Dhaka’s population lives in slums.
• Limited affordable housing and poor rental regulation force people into crowded,
unhygienic, unsafe settlements.
2. Challenges of Rapid Urbanization:
a. Inadequate Urban Planning:
• Most cities lack updated master plans or zoning regulations.
• Urban growth is unplanned, uncoordinated, and often politicized.
• Encroachment of water bodies, wetlands, and agricultural land.
b. Housing Crisis:
• Growing housing demand is met by unregulated real estate expansion.
• Shortage of affordable housing for low- and middle-income groups.
• Real estate speculation contributes to rising land prices and urban inequality.
c. Infrastructure Deficiency:
• Overloaded transport networks, drainage systems, and water supply lines.
• Poor waste management, sanitation, and inconsistent electricity in outer urban areas.
• Urban flooding due to poor drainage and filled canals.
d. Environmental Degradation:
• Air and water pollution from brick kilns, vehicles, tanneries, and untreated sewage.
• Green space per capita in Dhaka is less than 2 square meters, far below WHO
recommendations.
• Urban heat island effect worsened by concrete sprawl and tree loss.
e. Urban Poverty and Inequality:
• Informal sector workers (e.g., rickshaw pullers, domestic workers) lack social protection.
• Education, healthcare, and public services are highly unequal across neighborhoods.
3. Governance and Institutional Issues:
a. Weak Urban Local Governments:
• City Corporations and Pourashavas often lack funding, autonomy, and coordination
with national agencies.
• Political appointments and overlapping authority among RAJUK, WASA, LGED, DoE, etc.
b. Corruption and Inefficiency:
• Delays and mismanagement in urban development projects.
• Lack of accountability in infrastructure spending, public transport management, and
building approvals.
4. Opportunities for Sustainable Urban Development:
a. Smart City Initiatives:
• Digital governance, smart traffic control, e-governance platforms, and GIS-based
planning tools.
• Pilots underway in Sylhet and Narayanganj for integrated smart utilities.
b. Transit-Oriented Development:
• Expand Metro Rail, BRT, and circular rail systems to reduce private car dependency.
• Integrate housing, jobs, and transit to reduce commuting time and pollution.
c. Green Urban Design:
• Develop parks, rooftop gardens, vertical greenery, and urban wetlands restoration.
• Promote climate-resilient infrastructure (e.g., permeable roads, rainwater harvesting).
d. Affordable Housing and Urban Upgrading:
• Public-private partnerships for low-income housing, housing cooperatives.
• Slum upgrading programs with community participation.
e. Decentralized Urban Growth:
• Invest in secondary cities (e.g., Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal) to reduce pressure on Dhaka.
• Build economic corridors and digital infrastructure for smart rural-urban integration.
Case Example:
• Khulna City Corporation implemented community-led solid waste management through
local NGOs and micro-enterprises, reducing landfill pressure and creating jobs.
Conclusion:
Urbanization in Bangladesh is both an opportunity and a challenge. Without inclusive planning,
better governance, and sustainable investment, urban growth will lead to deeper social and
environmental crises. But with smart policy and community involvement, Bangladesh can
transform its cities into engines of innovation, productivity, and livability.
