Dhaka’s urban crisis: A warning Bangladesh can no longer ignore

Urbanisation was once seen as a symbol of progress in the late twentieth century. By the middle of the twenty-first century, however, it has become a crisis of existence for Bangladesh.

Analysis of satellite data and statistics from 2024 and 2025 shows that the country's urban planning is no longer merely struggling with structural weaknesses; it is drifting towards a deep environmental emergency. Unplanned growth and rapid population increase now threaten overall economic stability.

According to the World Bank's Bangladesh Country Environmental Analysis 2024, health risks caused by pollution and poor urban planning cost Bangladesh an estimated 3% of its annual GDP. A significant portion of development gains is effectively being spent to repair environmental damage.

Dhaka's population has reached nearly 40 million, far exceeding the city's natural ecological capacity. Over the past decade, land-use efficiency has fallen sharply as authorities attempt to absorb mounting population pressure. Surveys from 2024 and the 2022–35 Detailed Area Plan indicate that 74% of Dhaka's wetlands and lowlands are now covered by concrete. This destruction of natural drainage systems has contributed to rapidly declining groundwater levels. A recovery strategy must include decentralising Dhaka by shifting administrative and economic centres to other towns, enabling them to become self-sufficient. Community-based organisations are also essential to ensure local residents play a direct role in protecting their environment.

Air pollution and climate change have become daily realities for Dhaka's residents. Real-time data from IQAir in January 2024 frequently ranked Dhaka as the world's most polluted city, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels more than 17 times higher than World Health Organization guidelines. Research from the University of Chicago suggests that toxic air reduces the average life expectancy of Dhaka residents by about 6.8 years.

Urban heat is another emerging threat. During the heatwaves of April and May 2024, densely populated areas lacking trees were up to 5 °C hotter than nearby rural regions. This "urban heat island" effect accelerates energy consumption and increases carbon emissions. NASA satellite images from 2024 show that Dhaka's green cover has fallen below 7%, although a sustainable city requires at least 25%. Community involvement is crucial to restoring greenery and controlling local pollution.

Water management and groundwater depletion present an equally severe challenge. A 2024 Dhaka WASA study reports that the water table is dropping by 2.8 metres annually. Experts warn that groundwater levels could fall more than 100 metres below sea level, forming underground voids that heighten the risk of land subsidence during earthquakes. Recent seismic activity underscores this danger. Existing buildings must be reinforced, and new structures should be designed to withstand at least an 8.0-magnitude earthquake.

Waterlogging after minor rainfall now reveals the city's inability to absorb water. Dhaka's drainage system can handle only 10–15 mm of rain per hour, while climate change is causing heavier rainfall over shorter periods. Most of the city's 26 remaining canals are blocked by waste or illegal encroachment. Research from the Bangladesh Institute of Planners in 2024 estimates that waterlogging and traffic congestion together cause annual economic losses exceeding Tk12,000 crore.

Industrial waste and mismanagement are compounding the environmental crisis. Urban areas produce around 30,000 tonnes of waste daily, much of it dumped untreated into rivers. Heavy metals such as chromium, cadmium and lead from tanneries and factories have accumulated at the bottom of the Buriganga and Turag rivers. In the dry season, oxygen levels in these rivers drop to almost zero, killing aquatic life. Methane emissions from landfills further hinder Bangladesh's climate goals. Environmental degradation is not confined to cities; hill-cutting in Chattogram for housing projects triggered deadly landslides during the 2024 monsoon.

At this critical moment in 2025, Bangladesh must fundamentally rethink its approach to development. Building isolated roads or flyovers will not resolve this crisis. Scientific solutions such as the "sponge city" model – using porous pavements and green infrastructure to allow rainwater to infiltrate the ground – are urgently required. Decentralising economic activities remains the only viable strategy to ease population pressure on Dhaka. National planning must incorporate smart traffic management and a circular economy that converts waste into energy.

Economic projections from 2024 warn that failure to integrate environmental and urban planning could permanently reduce annual GDP growth by 2–3%. Sustainable development requires strict enforcement of environmental laws and science-based land-use policies. Urbanisation that sacrifices nature ultimately results in long-term destruction. To make Bangladesh's cities liveable again, environmental recovery must be treated as a matter of national security.