Every year, we are reminded that Dhaka remains one of the hardest cities to live in, and this year is no different – in fact, it’s even worse. In the Economist Group’s Global Liveability Index 2024, Dhaka has slipped even further, dropping from last year’s 166th place to 168th. To put that in perspective, Kyiv, the war-ravaged capital of Ukraine, ranks higher by three spots. Experts and residents have been voicing their concerns for years, yet the city’s ongoing struggles have barely moved the needle. It’s clear the government has not taken the necessary steps to make Dhaka a livable city, and once again, we find ourselves asking: why?
Air pollution, now the leading cause of death in Bangladesh, is a glaring example of Dhaka’s failures. It has surpassed even issues like high blood pressure, poor diet, and tobacco use. The city is notorious for its poor air quality, and with a severe lack of greenery, the urban heatwaves have only intensified the suffering. Tragically, in the name of development, over 700,000 trees were cut down last year, with Dhaka feeling the brunt of it. In the last two decades, the city has also seen a dramatic decline in playgrounds, with just 24 left from the 150 that once existed.
The city also faces an economic crisis. Dhaka’s cost of living has become astronomical, with inflation reaching nearly 10 percent. It’s one of the most expensive cities to live in, for both locals and foreigners alike. Traffic is another major issue, with Dhaka being the slowest city in the world for vehicular movement, all while the number of road fatalities continues to rise. The health system is under strain, too, as Dhaka remains a hotspot for Aedes mosquitoes, responsible for over 1,700 deaths in the past year alone.
Despite these glaring issues, the government’s responses have often been misguided or insufficient. While the metro rail project is a step forward, it doesn’t address the city’s most pressing needs, such as improving road discipline or enhancing public transport. Efforts to tackle air pollution have largely fallen short, with little done to curb the root causes, like traffic fumes, construction dust, and emissions from factories and illegal brick kilns. Meanwhile, the government’s recent budget appears to offer no concrete plans to make the city more affordable or livable.
It’s high time the government acknowledged its shortcomings and took real, thoughtful action to resolve Dhaka’s deep-rooted issues. Without meaningful change, the city’s future as a livable place remains in serious doubt.
