Who would not want a breath of fresh air in one of the world’s most polluted cities? In Dhaka, residents increasingly turn to parks and playgrounds to escape their monotonous routines.
The Dhaka metropolitan area is home to 22 million citizens, according to WorldAtlas.
However, the Population & Housing Census 2022, conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), reports that 10 million people reside within the city’s two municipal corporations.
Spanning a total of 306 square kilometres under the administration of these two corporations, Dhaka's population density exceeds 75,000 people per square kilometre, making it one of the most densely populated cities globally.
According to the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) by Rajuk, only 0.9% of the city qualifies as open space.
The DAP recommends 2–3 playgrounds for every 12,500 residents—a far cry from the current availability.
Open spaces are vital for all age groups. For the working class, parks are places to relieve stress.
Older adults benefit from walking in these spaces to maintain their health, while young people use them for exercise and recreation. For children, open spaces are crucial for physical and mental growth.
Experts warn that a lack of playgrounds can hinder children’s development and isolate them from their communities, with long-term consequences.
Dhaka’s open spaces and challenges
Dhaka’s open spaces fall under multiple authorities, including the two city corporations, Rajuk, the Housing and Settlement Directorate, and the Public Works Department (PWD).
This fragmented management complicates maintenance and development.
The National Botanical Garden in Mirpur, managed by the Department of Forest, is Dhaka’s largest plant conservation center. However, the garden recently drew criticism for a fivefold hike in ticket prices.
Rajuk’s database shows Dhaka has around 332 acres of playgrounds.
Alarmingly, there are no playgrounds in 10 wards of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and 25 wards of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
A 2019 study by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) found that the city has only 1 square meter of open space per person, far below the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendation of 9 square meters.
The study also reported a shortfall of 610 playgrounds in DNCC and 434 in DSCC. Although both corporations have expanded their jurisdictions since then, the shortage remains critical.
DNCC
DNCC currently oversees 31 parks and playgrounds, along with four Shishu Parks (children’s entertainment centers).
DNCC Public Relations Officer Mokbul Hossain said that 24 parks and playgrounds have recently been renovated, with new play equipment for children installed.
For example, Shyamoli Park, Baridhara Park, Fazle Rabbi Park in Gulshan and Gulshan Shaheed Tazuddin Park have children corner.
DNCC is currently trying to engage the local community for park and playground maintenance on a trial basis. Mokbul said, “We believe that engaging the community is a safe and effective way to solve the parks and playgrounds problem.”
Currently, zonal executive officers, city corporation employees, and security personnel are in charge of the maintenance and security of DNCC parks and playgrounds. “If we need to provide security for all the playgrounds and parks with our employees, that will require a large number of forces. That will be difficult for the City Corporation,” said Mokbul.
DSCC
DSCC manages 39 parks and playgrounds.
According to Md Khairul Baker, superintending engineer of the Environment, Climate, and Disaster Management Circle, DSCC is focused on renovating existing spaces and removing illegal occupants.
For example, previously neglected Gulistan Park has been transformed into a clean, recreational area with children’s facilities, a gymnasium, and a public toilet. Around 2,500–3,000 visitors now frequent the park daily.
Khairul said: “We are removing illegal occupiers from playgrounds and renovating them. We are putting boundary walls to mark the playground.”
Dhupkhola field, another notable project, has been developed into a FIFA-standard football field with a dedicated children’s corner. Previously occupied by hawkers and makeshift vendors, the space has been reclaimed for public use.
Illegal occupants previously divided the field into four territories and used it to store construction materials on the property.
Upon asking about continuing occupancy of the playgrounds, Khairul said: “We conduct regular drives to remove them (illegal occupants).”
Accessibility problem
Adil Muhammad Khan, executive director of the Institute for Planning and Development (IPD), who conducted the BIP study, said: “After five years of study, many fields and playgrounds are developed. However, development comes with restrictions. Now access to some fields has been restricted.”
For instance, Abdul Alim Field in Lalbag is now locked most of the time, while Kalabagan and Dhanmondi-8 fields are largely occupied by local clubs.
Adil emphasized the importance of ensuring unrestricted access to these spaces. “If we fail to provide playgrounds during the formative years of 15–16, it could lead to lifelong issues like depression and obesity,” he warned.
He also highlighted how urbanization has eliminated informal play areas that once existed, such as vacant plots, leaving children with fewer opportunities for recreation.
“The reality is, in areas that are already built, we can not build parks and playgrounds there,” he said, adding: “What we can do is to open all the fields that we already have to everyone.”
Adil suggested the government should acquire land for playgrounds in the wards which does not have any.
