URBANIZATION &

RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN BANGLADESH

MD. BURHAN UDDIN

DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
DAFFODIL INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
OBJECTIVES OF THE CLASS
 Define the concept urbanization’ and evaluate the development of trend of
it in both national and international perspective.
 Find out the causes of urbanization in Bangladesh and scratch out the
reasons for migration.
 Explore the impact or consequences of urbanization in Bangladesh.
 Reveal some challenges and problems which are available in urban area of
Bangladesh and how to meet these challenges.
 Define the concept rural development and evaluate the development of
trend of it in BD.
 Identify the rural development model e.g. BARD and evaluate the role of
government and NGOs
 Reveal some challenges and problems which are available in rural area of
Bangladesh and how to meet these challenges.
 URBAN & URBANIZATION; THE CONCEPT
• Urban areas are created when a large group of people gather to live in a certain area. Most of the time they are
created for beneficial reasons. An urban area is a human settlement with a high population density and infrastructure
of built environment. Urban areas are created through urbanization and are categorized by urban morphology as
cities, towns, conurbations or suburbs. The definition of urban is relating to a city or of a city with a population of at
least 50,000 people.
• According to Max Weber, five attributes define an urban community: it must possess (1) a fortification, (2) a market,
(3) a law code and court system of its own, (4) an association of urban citizenry creating a sense of municipal
corporateness, and (5) sufficient political autonomy for urban citizens to choose the city’s governors.
• Urbanization is the process by which large numbers of people become permanently concentrated in relatively small
areas, forming cities. Urbanization means the concentration of people in cities and towns. Urbanization refers to the
number of people who migrate from rural areas to urban areas, resulting in growth.
• It describes the transition of rural conditions (farms and small towns) to urban conditions (cities). It is the process
where increasing percentage of a population lives in cities and suburbs.
• The social work dictionary simplifies Urbanization as a ‘social trend in which people adopt the life styles, residential
patterns and cultural values of those who live in or near cities.’ According to Cambridge dictionary, Urbanization is
the process by which more people leave the countryside to live in cities.
 URBANIZATION: DEVELOPMENT TREND
Today, the most urbanized regions include Northern America (82 per cent living in
urban areas in 2014), Latin America and the Caribbean (80 percent), and Europe
(73 per cent). In contrast, Africa and Asia remain mostly rural, with 40 and 48
percent of their respective populations living in urban areas. All regions are
expected to urbanize further over the coming decades. Africa and Asia are
urbanizing faster than the other regions and are projected to become 56 and 64 per
cent urban, respectively, by 2050.
• The urban population of the world has grown rapidly since 1950, from 746 million
to 3.9 billion in 2014. Asia, despite its lower level of urbanization, is home to 53
per cent of the world’s urban population, followed by Europe (14 per cent) and
Latin America and the Caribbean (13). Continuing population growth and
urbanization are projected to add 2.5 billion people to the world’s urban
population by 2050, with nearly 90 per cent of the increase concentrated in Asia
and Africa.
Source: World Urbanization Trends 2014: Key Facts
 URBANIZATION: DEVELOPMENT TREND
Global Perspective World Urbanization, 2021
Globally, more people live in urban areas than in rural areas, with 54 per cent of the World 52.1
world’s population residing in urban areas in 2014. In 1950, 30 per cent of the world’s Africa 39.6
population was urban, and by 2050, 66 per cent of the world’s population is projected to
be urban Asia 45.0
The United States and most European nations began to urbanize heavily in the 19th century. Eastern Asia 55.6
One of the most profound effects of the Industrial Revolution, which developed rapidly in South-Central Asia 32.8
England during 1750-1850 and spread to the continent after the Napoleonic Wars, was to South-Eastern Asia 44.7
stimulate the growth of cities. Throughout Europe, only 17% of the population lived in
cities in 1801. By 1851, the percentage increased to 35%, and by 1891, it was 54%. On Western Asia 67.9
the other hand, in 1800, only about 5% of the U.S. population lived in cities. By the late Southern Asia 32.6
1900s, this number had climbed to 80%. Today, more than half of the world's population India 31.2
lives in cities.
Bangladesh Perspective Pakistan 36.2
With over 150 million people Bangladesh is the world’s eighth most populous country Bangladesh 28.4
and also one of the densest. The population of the country possibly, 2060, might be Europe 72.9
230 million, with more than 70 percent being urban. Latin America 79.1
As per recent UN data, 25 percent of Bangladesh current population lives in
North America 82.2
urban areas. Of this urban population, more than half lives in the largest four cities:
Oceania 88.7
Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna and Rajshahi. Source: World Urbanization Prospects:
Dhaka mega city currently ranks as the world’s 11th largest city . The 2021 Revision.
BANGLADESH PERSPECTIVE
The World Bank says Dhaka, with its current
population of 15 million people, bears the
distinction of being the fastest-growing in the
world. Between 1990 and 2005, the city
doubled in size — from 6 to 12 million. By
2025, the U.N. predicts Dhaka will be home to
more than 20 million people.
The total urban area of Dhaka spans about
1530 square kilometers (Islam 2005). About
80% of the garments industry in Bangladesh is
located in Dhaka city (World Bank 2005).
Dhaka city contributes to about 13% of the
country’s GDP.
 RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION: PUSH-PULL MODEL
The Push-Pull model pioneered was by Everett S. Lee in 1996. Migration is the
combined effect of both push and pulls factors and it is often difficult to
separate the role of the two. Within the Push-Pull model,
Push factors may be identified for
The pull factors may be identified for
Bangladesh as:
Bangladesh as:
1. Population pressure, adverse person-
land ratio, landlessness and poverty. 1. Real or perceived job Opportunities and
2. Frequent and severe natural disasters 2. Higher wages in the city are the main pulls.
(particularly river bank erosion). 3. Rural-urban disparities, opportunities and
3. Law and order situation. services are also responsible.
4. Lack of social and cultural 4. Rural-urban migrations are due to marriage
opportunities (applicable for rural and other familial reasons.
rich) 5. Educational facilities pull rural people to the
cities
5. Cyclone, famine, flood, river erosion.
 CAUSES OF RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION

ENVIRONMEN SOCIO-
ECONOMIC FAMILY
TAL POLITICAL
Landless and Loses of
Natural Hazards Social Factors
poverty husband

Unemployment Mostly river bank Dissolution Brought by

Poverty erosion of family relative

Economic crisis Climate Dependents Village politics

change
Job opportunities
victim Communal riot
Getting charity
 Impact of Migration and Urbanization (Positive)

According to UN centre for human settlements, 50 percent of GNP comes from

urban areas in the developing countries. Some positive consequences of
urbanization in Bangladesh are:

1. Economic benefits: growth of GDP, higher productivity, better income etc.

2. Demographic benefits: lowering of age at marriage, reduction of fertility rate.
3. Socio-cultural benefits: modernization
4. Political benefits: Women empowerment, democracy etc.
5. Improved access to information technology.
6. Infrastructural development benefits: Improvement of communication and
transportation
7. Socio-economic development: Employment opportunities, Increase literacy
rate, improvement in the quality of education, and better health indicators.
Impact of Migration and Urbanization (Negative)
Urbanization is not an unmixed blessing. Its negative consequences are of great
concern. The negative consequences can be grouped as the following:
1. Rapid growth of urbanization on a massive scale within a city is in the form of
degradation of the urban environment.
2. Environmental consequences: pollution
3. Encroachment on productive agricultural land and forests
4. Extreme pressure on housing, growth of slums and the pressure on services
5. Economic consequences, leading to income inequality and poverty, ill effects of
globalization
7. Cultural consequences: entry of alien culture, loss of national cultural identity
8. Political consequences: Criminalization of politics.
9. Socio-economic problems: High density of population, House and slum
problems, Scarcity of utility services, Social discrimination & inequality, Terrorism
and crime.
 MAJOR PROBLEMS IN URBAN AREA
Urbanization is the movement of people from a rural to an urban area. During the
Industrial Revolution, people began moving into the cities to work in the factories
and industries that would change or eliminate their previous jobs in rural
communities. While this helped cities to grow exponentially, it brought with it a
number of social problems and conflicts. Such as
• Imbalance administrative
development
• Transport problem
• Climate change
• Unplanned urbanization
• Water logging
• Environment pollution
• River pollution
• Air pollution
• Over population Problem
River Pollution
Most industrial enterprises are dumping their toxic
effluents into neighboring water bodies and rivers.
The erroneous, Cordon Approach towards rivers,
pursued for decades under foreign advice, is
disrupting the rivers. Buriganga river, which flows by
Dhaka, is now one of the most polluted rivers in
Bangladesh because of rampant dumping of industrial
and human waste.
 Water logging
Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, is an
example of unplanned urbanisation. Every year
the city dwellers of Dhaka face extensive water-
logging during the monsoon. Water-logging is
not a new problem rather it is one of the old
problems of the capital
Air pollution
Unfit traffic, industries, dust, particles of paints and
wood are extremely high in Dhaka city what causes
uncountable air pollution. Childs and women are
highly vulnerable in this pollution. For example, Air
pollution in capital city Dhaka has gone higher than
Mexico City. According to the Department of
Environment, the density of airborne particulate
matter reaches 463 micrograms per cubic meter.
Imbalance administrative development
The Dhaka-centric development has resulted in
relative Neglect of divisional, district and upazilla
cities and towns. The country faces a vicious circle,
whereby lack of development in district and upazilla
towns is causing their affluent residents to flock to
Dhaka.
 Transport problem Unplanned urbanisation
Over the last few years the transportation An unplanned urbanization across the
problem of Dhaka City has visibly been country leads to discrimination
deteriorating steadily. Citizens constantly between the capital Dhaka and other
complain about the unbearable twin problems metropolitan cities and district towns.
of traffic jam and air pollution. Narrow roads, Unplanned growth of cities is increasing
broken roads and unplanned repairs appeared the risks of fire hazard, building
as the 3 main causes of traffic jam. collapse, water logging, drainage
congestion and road accidents
Overpopulation problem Climate Change &
Bangladesh has the highest density of
Environmental Pollution
Bangladesh has been considered as one of the most vulnerable
population. Some problems associated with country because of the climate change. In a nut shell, coastal areas
overpopulation are shortage of food, of Bangladesh are being converted into a unproductive, unfit for
inadequate fresh water, crowding, traffic, human habitat, harsh, deserted and disaster prone area due to
unemployment, high crime rates. Dhaka has climate change. So thousands of work-less families are rushing
grown so crowded that existing infrastructure towards cities to live hand to mouth. So new and temporary
make it impossible to lead a comfortable life. shelters are being built in each day, which are converting to slums
Titled "World Urbanization Prospects: The in next day. Severe environmental pollution is threatening human
2014 Revision", the UN report projected Dhaka health and economic growth of Bangladesh. Air pollution effects
would become the 6th most crowded city by the urban children. Industrial emissions cause different waterborne
2030 with a population of over 2.7 crore. disease and damage to health.
 Housing Scarcity and Slums
The housing shortage is so acute that one Housing scarcity: Slums in Dhaka
third of the city's population lives in slums. Years of Numb Number of Slum
The influx of migrants from rural areas and survey er of slum population
slums households
deprived towns continues. The city
authorities can neither respond to the
problems nor coordinate their work. There 1974 - - 275,000
is an estimated 4966 slum settlements
1986 - 121328 -
scattered all over the city (Islam, 2005).
1991 2,156 - 718,143

1996 3,007 - 1500000

1997 1579 185917 754866

2005* 4966 673883 3286770

 Meeting the Challenges
Urbanization is a compelling and growing reality. Managed or ignored, the process
will soon come to determine our economic prospects and the quality of our social
lives. So we have to meet the challenges by following steps:
• Decentralization
• Rural Entrepreneurship
• Focus on good governance
• Enhancement of opportunities
• Developing a Sound Real Estate Market
• Good Urban Planning and Sound Incentives
• Ensuring the lodging for the urbanized people
• Improving City Governance: the Principal Strategy
• Decentralization of Functions and Responsibilities

In implementing the above ideas, at least one thing will be essentially required and this is
quality governance. It implies adequate i) transparency ii) accountability iii) responsiveness
iv) decentralization v) participation vi) coordination vii) authority and control viii) Planning
and productivity , efficiency and leadership
 RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND INDICATOR
Rural development is the betterment in the totality of life for rural people. It is the process of
improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in relatively isolated and
sparsely populated areas. It actions are mainly aim to the social and economic development of
the rural areas. The rural population of the world has grown slowly since 1950 and is expected to
reach its peak in a few years.
The global rural population is now close to 3.4 billion and is expected to decline to 3.2 billion by
2050. Africa and Asia are home to nearly 90% of the world’s rural population. India has the largest
rural population (857 million), after China (635 million).
Indicators of Rural Development
 Changes in agricultural productivity.
 Changes in income of different income groups
 Changes in literacy, schooling, literacy rate and life expectancy
 Changes in the distribution of power, influence and participation.
 Changes in rural employment, unemployment and under
employment
 Changes in values, believes and attitudes of members of state
agencies as well as the rural policy making.
 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

British Period: The British created a loyal

landed class of Zamidars through the
Permanent Settlement Act of 1793.
Pakistan Period: In 1950 Zamidari system was
abolished. There had several programs on that
time as like Village Agricultural and Industrial
Development (V-AID) program. In 1959, A four-
tier local government system was launched by
the military government of Mohammad Ayub
Khan.
Bangladesh Period: In 1952 Bangladesh government activated the Integrated Rural
Development Program (IRDP) to replicate and expand The Comilla Model in other parts of the
country. Now it is worked as Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB). CIRDAP 22
was
established as an inter-governmental organization to facilitate IRD in the Asia-Pacific region.
 Rural Development Model: BARD
Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) or The Comilla Model was a
rural development program launched in 1959 by Akhter Hameed Khan in Comilla.
The Features of the Comilla Model The transformation of rural development
 The promotion of development of various
• A sectoral approach
institutions, both public and private, and • A multispectral approach
establishing a system of interrelationships
between them; • A territorial approach
 Involvement of public and private sectors in • A local approach
the rural development;
 Development of leadership in every village,
including managers, model farmers, women
organizers, youth leaders to sustain the
development;
 Development of three basic infrastructures;
 Priority on decentralized and coordinated
rural administration;
 Ensure education, organization and discipline.
 Focus on economic planning and technology.
ACTORS IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT

•Govt. • NGO
• Local Action Groups
• INGO • UN, WB
• Civil Society
ROLE OF NGOS: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
 NGO covers an wide range of rural development activities including: development of
income and employment, health and sanitation, agriculture and rural craft,
vocational education, relief and rehabilitation, family planning, mother and
childcare.
 Prominent NGOs are: The Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC),
Grameen Bank, Proshika, Manobik Unnayan Kendra, ASA, Rangpur-Dinajpur Rural
Service etc.
 ROLE OF GOVERNMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Rural development aims at finding ways to improve rural lives with the participation of rural
people themselves. Government Roles in Rural Development In a sense, governments must
act as the facilitators of rural development in addition to such other roles as providers of
agricultural technology services for poor farmers and others and the spreading of knowledge
of and enforcement of laws as guardians of the law. The role local government, plays in
development of rural OR urban areas is to facilitate orderly growth and development.
• The Comprehensive Village Development Program was launched
by BARD in 1975.
• The Small Farmers Development Program was introduced in 1993.
• Major governmental rural development projects:
(i) The Vulnerable Group Development
(ii) Thana Resource Development and Employment Project
(iii) Rural Social Service Program
(iv) Community Development Program
(v) Self-reliance Program for Rural Women
(vi) Technologies for rural employment.
• Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP)
 CHALLENGES FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN BANGLADESH
• Agricultural Productivity: The majority of the population in rural areas depends on agriculture
for their livelihoods. Low agricultural productivity due to factors like land fragmentation, outdated
farming practices, and limited access to modern technology hinders rural development.
• Poverty and Income Inequality: Rural areas in Bangladesh often experience high levels of
poverty and income inequality. Many rural residents have limited access to education and
healthcare, leading to a cycle of poverty.
• Infrastructure Deficiencies: Lack of basic infrastructure, including roads, electricity, and clean
water, is a significant challenge in rural areas. Poor infrastructure can hinder economic activities
and access to essential services.
• Climate Change and Natural Disasters: Bangladesh is vulnerable to the impacts of climate
change, including rising sea levels, flooding, and cyclones. These events can have devastating
effects on rural communities, destroying homes and livelihoods.
• Limited Access to Education: Access to quality education remains a challenge in rural areas.
Poor school facilities, a shortage of qualified teachers, and cultural factors often result in lower
literacy rates and educational attainment.
• Healthcare Access: Access to healthcare services is often limited in rural areas. Many people
lack access to proper medical facilities and trained healthcare professionals, resulting in poor
health outcomes.
 CHALLENGES FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN BANGLADESH
• Unemployment and Underemployment: Rural areas often suffer from high levels of unemployment and
underemployment. The lack of diversified employment opportunities can lead to economic stagnation.
• Land Degradation: Land degradation, often caused by overuse and poor land management practices, can threaten
agricultural productivity and the livelihoods of rural communities.
• Gender Disparities: Gender disparities persist in rural Bangladesh, particularly in terms of access to education,
healthcare, and economic opportunities. Empowering women in rural areas is crucial for sustainable development.
• Inadequate Market Access: Limited access to markets and market information can be a barrier for rural
farmers and entrepreneurs looking to sell their products and expand their businesses.
• Political and Governance Challenges: Issues related to political instability, corruption, and governance
challenges can hinder effective rural development efforts.
• Access to Finance: any rural communities lack access to formal financial services, making it difficult for them to
invest in businesses or agricultural activities.
Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach
that combines investments in infrastructure, healthcare,
education, and agricultural modernization with policies that
promote sustainable development, improve governance, and
reduce social inequalities. International assistance and
collaboration are also important for addressing climate change-
related challenges and building resilience in rural areas.