Neglecting the urban poor in Bangladesh: research, policy and action in the context of climate change

Abstract

In Bangladesh, urban poverty is neglected in research, policy and action on poverty reduction. This paper explores the underlying reasons for this relative neglect, which include national identity and image, the political economy of urban poverty and the structuring of knowledge creation. It argues for more comprehensive policy and programmes for the urban poor given Bangladesh's increasingly urban future and the growing magnitude of urban poverty. The impact of climate change will accelerate Bangladesh's ongoing urbanization as well as deepen the scale and severity of urban poverty. The fact that reducing urban poverty will be increasingly important in meeting national goals for poverty reduction means that policy and action must pay more attention to the urban poor. This is contingent upon two factors: first, a better understanding of the scale and nature of urban poverty and vulnerability; and second, the confrontation of powerful interests necessary to secure a national commitment to urban poverty reduction.

Urban Poverty in Bangladesh: Causes, Consequences and Coping Strategies

“…69 In some areas, rows of 67 This replaces its predecessor, the Local Partnerships for Urban Poverty Reduction programme (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007). 68 Government perceptions that granting tenure security will induce further migration from rural areas underlie their unwillingness to move forwards in this direction, having a knockon effect on the ability and willingness of donors and NGOs to implement programmes in bustees (Rashid and Hossain 2005;Ahmed 2007;Rashid 2009;Banks, Roy et al 2011). …”

“…76 As Section 6 explores in greater depth, it is not only services to which mastaans control access. This powerful group link the otherwise excluded poor to multiple livelihoods requirements, such as employment, shelter and residential security, through a process of adverse incorporation in which the urban poor are integrated into a system of clientelism and dependency in their search for security (Matin 1999;Wood 2003;Banks 2012 (Tanner et al 2009;Jabeen et al 2010;Banks et al 2011;Roy, Guy et al 2011;. 79 Climate-induced hazards affect the livelihoods of Dhaka's urban poor on a near-annual basis, destroying houses and belongings, increasing exposure to disease flooding and inundated sanitation facilities, and through disruptions to employment (Rashid 2000;Braun and Abheuer 2011;Rabbani et al 2011;Haque et al 2012).…”

Inequalities in Human Well-Being in the Urban Ganges Brahmaputra Meghna Delta

“…The risk of floods, cyclones and other natural disasters from various factors, including sea level rise, is particularly high in the Ganges Brahmaputra Meghna (GBM) delta region, where environmental hazards along with poverty and lack of employment opportunities constitute push factors for migration [8,9]. While rural poverty is still predominant in the region, similar to the trends in other developing countries, urban poverty and intra-urban inequalities have been on the rise [10][11][12][13][14]. Rapid growth of cities and peri-urban areas has resulted in increased slum dwellings and greater complexity of urban areas [15].…”

Health Risks through Flooding and Coping Strategies for Citizens of Dhaka

“…It usually comes along with a growth of urban poor. The most vulnerable point is when the poor population dominates quantitatively the city, which is going to happen within this generation [6]. It can be assumed that a large number of migrants are fleeing from harsh weather conditions, which makes farming difficult.…”

“…This prime city is three times as big as Bangladesh's second largest city Chitttagong [5] (Figures 1,2) Dhaka is one of the fastest growing cities worldwide with a growth rate of around 2.5% and hence, the population is expected to reach 16 million by 2015 [3]. Each year, between 300 and 400,000 new migrants move to Dhaka [6].There are over 3 million people of a lower socioeconomic class who have limited access to basic services and live in unstable areas [7].…”