Do Peripheral Development Increase Vulnerability? Case Study from Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Due to rapid urbanization, the pattern of land use is being changed in the fast-growing cities especially in the developing countries. In most cases, development is taking place without proper guidance, increasing disaster risk may arise from different hazards. As a result of haphazard development, damage and loss increasing gradually where a number of cities in the developing countries had to face adverse situation. This paper focuses the rapid development trend of Dhaka City. Being the central attraction of national investment, the city is experiencing fast development vertically in the inner areas and on the marshy lands towards urban fringe. Building code is not being followed properly, leading to fragile construction. There are incidents of building collapse even without effect of any hazard. Moreover, a number of housing estates being developed on recently in-filled low laying areas. The development on marshy land is highly vulnerable to earthquake liquefaction effect and flood that increasing the risk in the newly developed areas. Therefore, the rapid development on marshy land in the periphery should be considered for effective urban planning. The paper explores the trend and reasons behind spatial expansion of the city and its effect to natural hazards. Case study approach was adopted, investigating details of two peripheral areas of the city. Increase in Housing Estate is most notable change that happened due to population growth and land price during past decades. Weaknesses in execution of existing acts, rules and Master Plan give clear indication of the gaps in guiding the development properly. The research concluded with the challenges to deal with environmentally compatible development. It requires a number of changes and restructuring in specific areas for environment friendly development in this regard. Based on the conclusion, several recommendations are made to address the existing problems emphasizing amendment of Acts and Rules, completion of Master Plan, formulation of new Rules and development of policies for urban fringe areas.