Urbanization
Dhaka has not only become one of the most densely populated cities in the world, it is also one of the largest unplanned urban centers. The capital’s rapid and unplanned urbanization presents enormous challenges. Regular garbage collection occurs for only half of city waste. The river systems in the metro area have become so polluted that they threaten both human and animal health. And a lack of proper drainage leads to routine flooding that disrupts transportation and economic activity.
Proposed Strategies
| Strategy | Takas of benefits per taka spent |
|---|---|
| Solid waste management in Dhaka | 6 |
| Restoration of Buriganga river system | 1.5 |
| Stormwater drainage in Dhaka | 2 |
Turning Around the Least Livability: A Cost-Benefit Analysis Framework for Dhaka
Research by Khorshed Alam, an associate professor of economics at the University of Southern Queensland, explores the smartest ways to deal with three growth-related issues in the capital: solid waste management, river restoration, and drainage network improvements.
The demand for utility services has become even more exaggerated in Dhaka than in the rest of the country, as urban population growth outstrips an already overstretched municipal infrastructure."
- Khorshed Alam
How to improve Dhaka's public services for future growth
In a series of op-eds published in The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, Bjorn Lomborg outlined the key findings of the path-breaking research produced by the Bangladesh Priorities project.
Rapid and unplanned urbanisation presents enormous challenges. Regular garbage collection occurs for only half of city waste. The river systems in the metro areas have become so polluted that they threaten both human and animal health. And a lack of proper drainage leads to routine flooding that disrupts transportation and economic activity."
- Bjorn Lomborg
What's the smartest solution for Bangladesh?
If you were in charge and wanted to do the most good for Bangladesh, would these infrastructure investments for Dhaka top your list? After reviewing 1,000s of pages of peer-reviewed research an Eminent Panel ranked 72 solutions from the best to the worst in terms of delivering the most social, economic and environmental value for money. Find out what they ranked the highest here.