By Md. Saiful Islam
Urbanization is extremely significant because it is very costly. The difference in costs between urban and rural development is not determined solely by comparing the capital required for industry with that required for agriculture. In fact, this constitutes only a small part of the total investment, and the per capita difference does not always favor industry. This difference primarily depends on infrastructure.Urban housing is far more expensive than rural housing. The proportion of children receiving education is always higher in urban areas, especially at stages where less than 60 percent of children are in school. Urban areas must provide hospital services, piped water supplies, and bus transportation. In all these aspects, the per capita demand in urban areas is not only higher, but even at the same levels, urban facilities cost more than rural ones. The United Nations population fund (UNFPA) has predicted that by 2050, about 64% of the developing world and 86% of the developed world will become urbanized, turning into urban areas.
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) approximately 28% of Bangladesh’s total population of around 16 crore live in small and large cities. The capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka, is witnessing a significant trend of urbanization. Urban management in Dhaka and across the country is not keeping pace with the increasing urban migration and rapid urbanization. Although creating livable and environmentally friendly cities is a prerequisite for sustainable development, various problems have made urban life vulnerable. The overgrowth of Dhaka now negatively affects not only the city itself but also the overall economic growth of the country.
Several global surveys and research studies have highlighted the challenges associated with urbanization in Dhaka, focusing on issues arising from rapid, unplanned growth. These issues include population pressure, environmental pollution, service deficits, and health risks. According to the World Bank’s “Leveraging Urbanization in South Asia” report, urbanization in Bangladesh is happening at a faster pace than in other South Asian countries. However, it is characterized by irregular and “messy urbanization,” leading to the growth of poverty and slums. Approximately 62% of the urban population lives in slums, lacking basic amenities. Additionally, a phenomenon called “hidden urbanization” exists, where many areas have urban characteristics but are not officially recognized as urban zones. These issues prevent sustainable urban development and exacerbate urban challenges.
A review in “Frontiers in Public Health” highlights that Dhaka’s unregulated urbanization is contributing to problems such as air pollution, lack of proper water and sewage systems, waste management issues, and rising health risks. These problems are leading to respiratory illnesses, waterborne diseases, and other health concerns. Vulnerable populations, especially those in informal settlements, are the most affected as they have limited access to healthcare services. Furthermore, climate change is adding new challenges to urban life in Dhaka. Extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall, flooding, and temperature fluctuations are disrupting city life. The uncontrolled growth of the city is exacerbating environmental degradation, worsening these impacts.
In our discussion of reports and newspapers, we observed the widespread problems of urbanization, but why do people urbanize? In fact, people urbanize for various opportunities and facilities. Cities offer more employment opportunities, which help people earn a livelihood. The development of industries, trade, and services makes cities economic hubs, leading people to be attracted to urban areas. Additionally, cities provide better educational institutions and healthcare facilities, which help improve people’s quality of life. Cities also have modern infrastructure such as roads, communication systems, water, and electricity supply, making daily life easier and more convenient. Furthermore, cities offer social and cultural activities, which contribute to people’s mental and social development. In this way, urbanization plays a key role in making people’s lives more comfortable, convenient, and better.
To address the issues in Dhaka, various effective measures need to be taken. First, it is essential to develop an advanced transportation system to reduce traffic congestion in the city. The road network and metro rail system should be improved, and bus services should be expanded. Second, to improve the environment in Dhaka, green spaces should be created, and tree planting should be increased to reduce air pollution. Third, security measures need to be strengthened to prevent crime, including the enhancement of CCTV cameras and police capabilities. Additionally, planned housing projects should be developed to address the housing crisis, and illegal construction must be stopped. Fourth, to reduce pollution, factories should be required to adopt environmentally friendly technologies. Furthermore, to improve the city’s healthcare services, the infrastructure of public hospitals must be upgraded, and the use of technology in healthcare should be expanded. By implementing these measures, it will be possible to prevent problems in Dhaka, making the city more developed and livable.
In conclusion, From Dhaka’s rapid urbanization, we can draw important lessons about sustainable growth. While the city’s development and modernization are essential, the costs of urbanization, such as environmental pollution, infrastructural strain, and the excessive population burden, need to be properly addressed. For sustainable growth, our urban planning should focus on environmentally friendly approaches, population control, and the creation of improved infrastructure. Dhaka’s development shows that if the urbanization process is not managed correctly, long-term harm can occur. Therefore, it is crucial to strike the right balance between improving citizens’ quality of life and preserving nature. Drawing lessons from Dhaka’s example, we must establish a sustainable urbanization system that will provide long-term benefits for both the environment and people in the future.
The writer is a member of the Social Research Group (SRG) and an undergraduate student of Public Administration at Comilla University, Bangladesh. The article is a work in progress.
