The Environmental and Social Impacts of Unplanned and Rapid Industrialization in Suburban Areas: The Case of the Greater Dhaka Region, Bangladesh

Abstract

This study explores how rapid industrialization alongside a lack of regulatory controls through policy and planning encourages unplanned rapid urbanization in suburban areas. Taking Konabari–Kashimpur, a rapidly growing suburban area of the Greater Dhaka Region (GDR) as a case study, data has been collected through 16 key informant interviews and a questionnaire survey of 359 households in the area. The study finds that the readymade garment industry plays a significant role in the growth of this area. Negative externalities in the core area, the availability of large land parcels at a cheaper price, abundant labour supply and good transport connectivity to the core city make it favourable for industrialization. It is further found that industrialization and the forms of development taking place have largely occurred in an unplanned manner. Low-skilled and labour-intensive industry-driven growth has produced mixed-use intense development dominated by industrial and low-class residential uses. The impact of such growth on the suburban natural environment, infrastructure and society is found to be significant. The natural environment has been destroyed to provide land for industry and housing for workers. Basic service infrastructure and urban amenities have not increased proportionately to the growth of activities and the population. Moreover, the absence of a planning authority and land use regulations has worsened the situation further. It is concluded that the provision of basic infrastructure through planned intervention is required for sustainable urbanization.