Publicness in Dhaka’s public spaces is a pathway to inclusive urban revenue and livability

In the heart of Bangladesh's capital—home to nearly 22 million people—the idea of "publicness" in public spaces holds immense potential, not merely as a marker of liveability, but as a strategic opportunity for the government, private investors, and public-private partnerships to generate inclusive economic benefits, reshape urban culture, and support socio-environmental resilience. In a megacity like Dhaka, public spaces—footpaths, plazas, parks, sidewalks, and even streets themselves—are more than transit corridors. They are places of interaction, informal economy, mobility, and daily life.

Streetscape investments that prioritise pedestrian comfort, green infrastructure, accessible design, and informal vending support can yield significant economic and social dividends. For instance, neighbouring countries have piloted successful Smart Street Vending Management Systems (SSVMS) using GIS mapping to allocate vending zones based on foot traffic, spatial width, and local demand. 

Dhaka could similarly benefit from a GIS-based Smart Street Vending Platform that not only helps determine legal vending spots but also integrates lease, licensing, and tax collection systems—with embedded QR-based payment gateways—to formalise this vibrant informal sector.

Dhaka's informal economy is powered by nearly two million street vendors, most of whom operate under constant threat of eviction or extortion. A legal, tech-enabled vending licence and lease system could yield over Tk500 crore in annual government revenue if each vendor paid a modest Tk2,000 per month. 

More crucially, such a system could dismantle exploitative networks and replace them with state-backed dignity, economic empowerment, and access to microcredit. Rehabilitation programmes for those currently managing illegal street leases or extorting vendors could focus on job training, cooperative entrepreneurship, or integration into formal vending administration. This transition could stabilise a significant portion of the urban informal sector while encouraging lawful governance.

At the same time, redesigning Dhaka to promote walkability and cycling is not just a climate strategy—it is a public health solution. With nearly 30% of daily trips spanning less than three kilometres, pedestrianising key commercial corridors and installing protected bike lanes could reduce vehicular emissions by 15–20%, significantly cutting both PM2.5 levels and harmful noise pollution—major contributors to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. 

WHO studies show that regular active commuting lowers the risk of heart disease by 20–25%. Moreover, urban mobility systems designed with women's safety in mind—well-lit walkways, public toilets, vending zones, and shaded benches—can foster a more inclusive and liveable city for all.

Extending the concept of publicness beyond footpaths, Dhaka can invest in pocket parks within commercial zones, open-air community markets, night bazaars, modular fitness areas, riverfront recreational spaces, public art installations, and secure seating clusters. These elements cultivate what sociologists describe as "intimate publicness"—spaces where strangers interact in ways that build trust, safety, and shared belonging. 

Such interactions shape a collective urban identity and offer measurable economic returns: increased foot traffic drives higher retail sales, raises land values, and strengthens micro-economies.

Dhaka's homeless population, currently estimated at over 50,000, must also be included in this vision. Pavements and underpasses can be repurposed into modular night shelters, community hygiene pods, and mobile health clinics. A combination of public investment and corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding could implement these low-cost, high-impact solutions, improving living conditions while reducing urban insecurity and disorder.

From an economic perspective, structured publicness offers robust returns: a legal vending lease system alone could generate overTk500 crore annually; well-designed streetscapes could boost adjacent retail revenue by 10–25%; walkability and cycling initiatives could reduce healthcare costs by Tk200–300 crore per year; and strategically managed public spaces might attract an additional Tk100–150 crore through CSR and public-private partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects.

Publicness must also centre the everyday realities of women and marginalised communities. Urban design must go beyond aesthetics to promote visibility, hygiene, multifunctionality, and a sense of safety and belonging. Policy must shift from an anti-encroachment mindset to a co-use philosophy—where pedestrians, vendors, cyclists, the elderly, women, and children can coexist equitably.

With a smart integration of digital technologies such as GIS and IoT, forward-looking policy, human-centred design, and strong political will, Dhaka can transform its public spaces into inclusive economic assets and social sanctuaries. A liveable, breathable, walkable, and intimate Dhaka is not merely an aspiration—it is a scalable, revenue-positive future well within reach.

S M Muhaiminul Islam is a Researcher, Planner and Member of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB). 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.