Named Case Study: Dhaka, Bangladesh: a megacity under stress

Question 1

Key facts:

Answer 1

 By 2015 population expected to reach 21 million with one of
the highest population densities in the world
 Caused by high rates of natural increase and large volumes
of rural-urban migration.

Question 2

Employment

Challenges and solutions

Answer 2

 Unemployment of 23%
 33% of city workforce is self-employed
 Child labour high in poorest households
 Home to 80% of the 2 million garment industry employees

 2 export zones created to encourage
export of goods
 Bashundhara City created with hightech
industries and businesses

Question 3

Urban Poor

Challenges and solutions

Answer 3

 28% of population classed as poor, 12%
extremely poor
 Only 5% live in permanent housing
 4.2 million live in slums

 Improvements in drains and
sanitation
 Back to home programme encourages
people to return to villages with help
 Local community health volunteers

Question 4

Environmental quality

Challenges and solutions

Answer 4

 Only 27% connected to public sewer
 Poor water management cost $670million each year
 Poor air regulation = air pollution above national standard 100 days per year
 Polluted water sources = disease spreads quickly

 Ban on leaded petrol
 Work in improve water quality, supply and sanitation cost $100m
 Public information on causes and impacts of poor air and water quality
 Promoted clean gas-powered cooking stoves