Unplanned Urbanization and Environmental Disasters: The Structural Reality of Bangladesh’s Urban Future

Sakif Shamim:

Urbanization was seen as a symbol of development in the late 20th century, but by the middle of the 21st century, it has become a crisis of existence for Bangladesh. Analysis of satellite data and statistics from 2024 and 2025 shows that our city planning is no longer just suffering from structural weaknesses, but is instead moving toward a deep environmental disaster. This unplanned growth and rapid population increase now threaten the overall economic stability of the country. According to the World Bank’s “Bangladesh Country Environmental Analysis 2024,” health risks caused by pollution and poor urban planning cost Bangladesh approximately of its annual GDP. This indicates that a large portion of our development progress is being lost to pay for environmental damage.

The population of the Dhaka megacity has reached nearly 40 million, which is many times higher than the city’s natural ecological capacity. Over the last decade, the efficiency of land use has dropped significantly as we attempt to manage this massive population pressure. Surveys from 2024 and the 2022-35 Detailed Area Plan (DAP) show that 74% of Dhaka’s wetlands and lowlands are now covered by concrete. This has destroyed natural drainage systems and caused groundwater levels to sink further. To recover from this disaster, it is essential to decentralize Dhaka by moving administrative and economic centers to other towns to make them self-sufficient. Furthermore, creating community-based social organizations is necessary to allow local residents to play a direct role in protecting their environment.

Air pollution and climate change have become daily companions for those living in Dhaka. Real-time data from IQAir in January 2024 frequently ranked Dhaka as the city with the world’s most polluted air. Specifically, the levels of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) were more than 17 times higher than the standards set by the World Health Organization. Recent indexes from the University of Chicago show that this toxic air reduces the average life expectancy of city residents by about 6.8 years. Urban heat is another major technical concern. During the heatwaves of April and May 2024, crowded areas without trees were up to 5°C hotter than nearby rural areas. This “urban heat island” effect increases energy waste through the heavy use of air conditioning and raises carbon emissions. NASA satellite images from 2024 reveal that Dhaka’s green cover has fallen below 7%, while a sustainable city requires at least 25%. Community involvement is essential to restore greenery and control local pollution.

Water management and the falling groundwater level have become a silent disaster. A 2024 study by Dhaka WASA shows the water table is dropping by 2.8 meters annually. There is a high risk that this level will fall more than 100 meters below sea level, creating underground voids that increase the danger of land subsidence during earthquakes. Recent earthquake trends are a serious warning. Existing buildings must be strengthened quickly, and new buildings must be built with technology that can withstand at least an 8.0 magnitude earthquake. Furthermore, waterlogging after minor rain shows that the ground can no longer absorb water. Dhaka’s drainage can only handle 10-15 mm of rain per hour, while climate change is causing much heavier rainfall in shorter periods. Most of the city’s 26 remaining canals are blocked by waste or illegal occupants. Research from the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) in 2024 estimates that waterlogging and traffic congestion cause an annual economic loss of over 12,000 crore BDT.

Industrial waste and poor management are making the environmental crisis worse. Cities produce about 30,000 metric tons of waste daily, much of which is dumped untreated into rivers. Toxic heavy metals like chromium, cadmium, and lead from tanneries and factories are settling at the bottom of the Buriganga and Turag rivers. During the dry season, oxygen levels in these rivers drop to almost zero, killing aquatic life. To handle accidents in these crowded areas, every community must have fire extinguishers and fire-fighting systems. Training residents in disaster management is key to building a resilient society. Additionally, methane gas from landfills is a major barrier to meeting Bangladesh’s climate goals. This negative impact of urbanization also affects hills and forests. Cutting down hills in Chattogram for housing projects led to deadly landslides in the 2024 monsoon season.

At this critical moment in 2025, we must fundamentally change our thinking regarding development. Building isolated roads or flyovers will not stop this disaster. We need scientific solutions like the “Sponge City” concept, where porous pavements and green infrastructure allow rainwater to soak directly into the ground. Decentralizing economic activities is the only way to reduce the population pressure on Dhaka. National plans must also include smart traffic management and a “circular economy” that turns waste into energy. Economic data from 2024 warns that if we do not integrate environmental and urban planning, Bangladesh’s annual GDP growth could permanently drop by 2-3%. Sustainable development requires the strict application of laws and science-based land use. Urbanization that sacrifices nature only leads to long-term destruction. To make our cities liveable again, environmental recovery must be treated as a matter of national security.

The author is an Economist.

Managing Director of Labaid Cancer Hospital and Super Speciality Centre, and Deputy Managing Director of Labaid Group