Changing Land Use and Urban Dynamics around an Industrial Zone in Bangladesh: A Remote Sensing Analysis

Abstract

This article examines the adverse effect of rapid industrialization around Bangladesh’s Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) by analyzing Landsat satellite images captured between 1989 and 2019. Image classification was performed to separate built-up areas with machine learning algorithms in Google Earth Engine. Image analysis was conducted using ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro. Field observations, interviews, and the literature review provided information for explanations about the phenomenon observed from satellite image analyses. The findings reveal that when DEPZ started its operation in 1993, there was hardly any built-up area in the vicinity. Within three decades, over 25% of the land within a 5 km radius of DEPZ has been converted into a built-up area, triggering an almost seven-fold increase in population. Industrial and urban growth in the DEPZ area has caused significant soil and water pollution in the broader region. As a result, the quantity and quality of agricultural land has degraded. In the long run, the planned industrial development initiative has contributed to unsustainable urban growth and environmental consequences. Insights drawn from this article can guide policymakers to re-evaluate their policy for rapid and large-scale industrialization.