Strong action that addresses urbanization is of paramount importance. Dhaka has long served as the nation’s vibrant economic, political, and cultural hub. Over recent decades, however, this dynamic city has seen an unprecedented rate of growth that its infrastructure struggles to support. The rapid urban expansion is a sign of economic progress, but it has also unleashed a host of challenges threatening the city’s future. Can Dhaka withstand these mounting pressures, or is its survival at risk?
Overpopulation
With over 21 million residents, Dhaka ranks as the fourth most densely populated city in the world. A key driver behind this explosion is migration from rural areas, as people flock to the city seeking better employment and living standards. Yet, the city's public services -- housing, transportation, healthcare, and sanitation -- are already overwhelmed. The surge in population has stretched these services to their breaking point, and Dhaka’s infrastructure, initially built for a far smaller population, is buckling under this immense pressure.
Nowhere is this strain more evident than in the slums of Dhaka, which are home to over four million people across 5,000 densely packed settlements. These communities live without access to clean water, proper sanitation, or adequate healthcare, fostering outbreaks of disease and creating breeding grounds for crime.
Environmental degradation
The city’s unchecked urbanization has led to the destruction of much of its natural landscape, including wetlands that once acted as natural flood barriers. In their absence, Dhaka is highly vulnerable to floods, particularly during the monsoon season. What once protected the city is now an ecological disaster waiting to happen. In 2020, the city experienced record floods, with over 200,000 people displaced due to inundation.
Further compounding these issues is Dhaka’s air pollution crisis. In 2022-2023, the city frequently ranked among the worst in the world for air quality, with industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and dust from construction creating toxic conditions. Respiratory illnesses, particularly among children and the elderly, have surged. The long-term health implications for Dhaka’s population could be catastrophic.
Dhaka also grapples with a waste management crisis. Open garbage dumps are ubiquitous, with 90% of the city’s waste left untreated, polluting rivers and further threatening public health. This creates a vicious cycle, where pollution exacerbates health problems, which are in turn worsened by the lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure. If waste management and sanitation continue to be neglected, the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera and dengue fever will rise dramatically.
Economic inequality
The inequalities between Dhaka’s affluent and impoverished areas are stark, leading to heightened social tensions as millions feel excluded from the city’s economic boom. While slums grow, Dhaka’s infrastructure remains trapped in an era that cannot accommodate such growth, resulting in haphazard urban sprawl and worsening living conditions.
In addition, studies show that over 30% of the city’s population live in slums or informal settlements, facing substandard living conditions and limited access to essential services.
Without a coherent plan, Dhaka’s growth remains unsustainable
The city’s wealth gap is glaring: While a minority enjoys high living standards in affluent areas, the majority of Dhaka’s residents live in low-income neighborhoods with limited access to opportunities. A study from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics found that over 40% of the city's population lives below the poverty line, with limited access to education and job opportunities.
This economic disparity is not just a social issue -- it undermines the very stability of the city. As social tensions simmer, the risk of unrest grows. A report from the International Growth Centre highlights that the wealth gap has been widening steadily for the past decade, with fewer than 20% of low-income households experiencing upward mobility. Economic policies need to focus on bridging this divide by investing in education, skills training, and creating opportunities for upward mobility.
What now?
Without a coherent plan, Dhaka’s growth remains unsustainable. The current trajectory is not just an issue of "growing pains;" it's a looming crisis. The city’s future hinges on whether its leadership can implement smart urban planning that meets the needs of its burgeoning population.
To address these challenges, the government must focus on urban planning that integrates sustainable growth.
First, the government must prioritize infrastructure development. Investing in public transportation systems, affordable housing, and healthcare will not only ease overcrowding but also improve the quality of life for millions. An emphasis on sustainable urban development, where environmental concerns are integrated into planning decisions, is also critical. Protecting Dhaka’s remaining wetlands and rivers, while implementing robust waste management systems, is essential for preventing further degradation.
Second, addressing the economic divide is key to the city’s long-term stability. By focusing on inclusive growth, the government can create a more equitable urban landscape. Programs targeting poverty reduction, affordable education, and skills development could help lift millions out of poverty, fostering a more inclusive society where the benefits of urbanization are shared more equitably.
Finally, the role of good governance cannot be overstated. Corruption, inefficiency, and lack of accountability have long stymied efforts to improve Dhaka’s infrastructure. Without political will and reform at the institutional level, even the best-laid plans will fail.
New analyses should consider the role of public-private partnerships in transforming Dhaka’s infrastructure. For instance, developing renewable energy sources and sustainable transport options could not only mitigate the city’s environmental footprint but also help alleviate its overburdened infrastructure.
In conclusion, Dhaka’s survival is not guaranteed unless immediate and decisive action is taken. The city’s rapid urbanization has undoubtedly boosted its economy, but without sustainable planning and inclusive growth, Dhaka could collapse under the weight of its own success. Addressing its environmental, social, and economic challenges with urgency and vision will determine whether Dhaka can truly thrive or whether it will succumb to the perils of unchecked growth.
Md Arifuzzaman, Assistant Engineer, LGED, who is pursuing MPA in PSCM at BIGM.
