Clicky
Editorial

Dhaka’s ranking in least liveable city index improves

Strengthen urban governance, prevent unplanned urbanisation


Bangladeshpost
Published : 24 Jun 2022 08:07 PM

Dhaka has been ranked as the 7th least liveable city in the world this year, moving up three spots from its 2021 ranking, According to the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index for 2022, Dhaka improved its position, as Karachi, Algiers and Tripoli moved down. It scored 39.2 out of 100 and ranked 166th out of 172 cities

A new wave of unplanned urbanisation over the last decade has changed the landscape of Dhaka, leaving the city dwellers in risk. Dhaka is becoming more and more vulnerable to both natural and man-made hazards because of rapid urbanisation. Devastating fire accidents and building collapse have become almost common phenomenan in Dhaka as the growth of our beloved capital city has taken place without adequate planning.


The urban habitants are living with increased 

risk of industrial hazards and health related risks


Dhaka is characterised by the poor living standards, building construction without consideration of safety measures, lack of public awareness to hazards, and poorly enforced building code. Many buildings are rising without proper zoning concept and guidelines as the city authorities allow poorly constructed buildings and old buildings to stay. These buildings are very much vulnerable to earthquake, fire hazards and other factors of building collapse causing unnecessary deaths. Besides the mentioned vulnerabilities, the urban habitants are living with increased risk of industrial hazards and health related risks. 

In order to make Dhaka resilient to disaster risks, we must have a good control over the entire practice of design and construction of structures. It is time for all the relevant authorities to work together under one umbrella to ensure a risk resilient infrastructure system. 

Over the last years, air pollution has turned into a major public health concern in Bangladesh particularly in capital Dhaka and it has repeatedly been labelled as one of the 10 most polluted cities in the world. Hitherto we have not taken any consistent and prudent action to address air pollution in Bangladesh. We hope the government will frame appropriate strategies, ensure good governance and strictly enforce laws to improve Dhaka’s air quality.

Most of the rivers in and around the capital have been illegally occupied by influential quarters and various institutions destroying the entire ecological balance and natural beauty. Considering the poor condition of rivers in and around Dhaka, authorities concerned should come up with prudent steps to save them from pollution and encroachment.