Sustainable Cities in Bangladesh: Issues

and Strategies Anwara Begum Ph.D.

Senior Research Fellow

BIDS

Urbanization

• Urbanization also denotes a population shift from rural to urban areas concentrated in optimum locales, where majority pursue livelihoods that are predominantly distinct from agriculture.

• The economic, social and political transitions affect society, which adapts to the change. • All these processes are viewed in relation to the city, which is

distinguished by the land use, economic activity, services rendered, optimization of economies of scale: sustained by enabling choices.

• It mainly results in spatial growth of urban areas, be it horizontal or vertical.

• It also weaves into the livelihood, learning, lifestyle etc., urbanism.

Strategizing Sustainable Cities:

Centripetal Forces: Quality Lives?

Centrifugal Forces-Mobilization

Compact Villages;CC:SC; PURA;

Can mixed responses trigger

social transformation?

Can Urban Continuum Evolve?

Hinterland +

- Urban-Rural Divide?

Causes of Urban Growth

Better food supply

Good medical care

Education

Jobs

Specialization of professions

Entertainment

Industrialization Commercialization

Electrification: Accessible energy plays an

important role in our Development. With this people can enjoy all the modern facilities.

Road Communication: By establishing road

communication, an undeveloped area may be connected with a

developed area. So mobility increases with concomitant

provision for ease, esp. for women Market Synergies

For agricultural products :This will help the people of both the areas

Develop other areas too ICT and Use of Media for Improved

Education and Information

Prospects of Urbanization

Positive Aspects

Economic growth increased

Quality Education System developed; Emancipation of women

Innovation in Agriculture

Negative Aspects of Urbanization in Bangladesh

But Urbanization does not bring only good fortune to our society , it bears demerits as well.

Some of the disadvantages of urbanization are:

1. Increase of population 2. Movement of people from rural to urban areas 3. Increase of Industries and factories 4. Increase of pollution in the environment 5. Farmers losing their farms 6. Cutting down forests

8. Disruption in the ecological system

Urbanization in Bangladesh is rapid

7. Global warming

• Urbanization in Bangladesh is unplanned: plans are not adhered to. • It is clear that there is an increase in urbanization. Moreover, base population of our country is high.

• With the rise of population the need for food, clothes and shelter are also rising. • With the increase of young population and their needs, quest for better jobs and movement is

towards the cities, which are now over crowded and densely populated. • Transport system is not adequately developed; cars and slow moving vehicles juxtaposed-rising;

many more than the road capacity. Moreover, rules are rarely complied to.

Issues are related

With urbanization industries and factories are also increasing, which is again followed by air, water, soil and sound pollution.

Present Condition of Urbanization in Bangladesh

Due to population growth, cities are becoming impossible to live in: tenement & derelict housing; poor pay more

As population increases , pollution increases ; 70% road space grabbed

• With Urbanization global warming is increasing.

• It is not only affecting human beings but all the living creatures in the world as well

• Due to deforestation animals are losing their homes and thus some of those are on their way to becoming extinct.

• We are losing the beauty of our country as we are losing the greenery.

• Due to cutting down forests and trees to fulfill the demand of rising population and for the industries.

• Farmers are losing their farms and jobs due to pollution created by factories and also because they want to move into the cities for better paid jobs, which might lead to a worse situation…

URBAN TRANSITION URBAN Continuum

• Industrialization ;

• Jobs and networking for work;

• Migration;

• Urbanism & expectation;

• Infrastructure – connectivity

&mobility, water, urban lifestyle, art&

culture; identity : anonymity; gender

• Bright lights’; central business districts;

central functions;

• Financial, banking; Postal services ;

neighbourhood needs; and police

stations; Transport & travel; legal

system; govt. & Corporate offices;

• Environment and efficiency: land-

value;

• Congestion; pollution; sound;

violence; VAW : slums, pol. unrest;

vagrants; destitution; prostitution;

superimposition-dumping;

• Migration: Internal or international;

• Loss of water bodies;

• Hinterland: loss or gain;

• Land scarcity: compact housing; few formal low income settlements;

• Rivalry : pol; land related;

• Land dwindling: for food;

• Growth Corridor;

• Green cities and multi-modal transport system countrywide image : branding;

• Approach: Co-management of rural and urban

environment: Ensure good participatory governance in

managing environmental issues and natural resources

with the active involvement of poor women and men

and from a cross-section of society. Ensure voice and

agency for women &RTTC.

• Control of water pollution and soil contamination

• Control of Industrial pollution

• Control of air pollution in major metropolitan cities and peri-urban and industrialized rural settings

• Control of Radioactive Pollution

• Control of Noise pollution

• Improve and innovate : solid waste management system

• Regulate and manage river erosion and hill cutting

• Improve living environment in the slums

• Create awareness at grassroots’ level

Policy Space for Urban Strategy • Infrastructure and finance;

• Urban Governance;

• Urban Poverty and nutrition;

• Services and Standards;

• Skills and Management;

• Environmental Sustainability; Urban agriculture;

• Urban built environment and public places;

• Resource Efficiency and coordination among agencies;

• Policy Coalitions and Change Makers;

• Gender Friendly - Quality of Life;

• Disaster Preparedness; Earthquakes, Fires, landslides, diseases;

• Conservation of common resources and heritage sites;

• Water and basic services;

• Energy efficient housing, work places and transportation;

• Connectivity: Mass; IT and Knowledge;

• Social safety : formal and informal agencies: relief; media coverage;

• Dependence on foreign support and mis-use: low resource mobilization;

Thank you for a patient hearing

anwarabids@gmail.com