Neoliberalism and Urban Governance in Bangladesh:A Study on Dhaka City

Abstract

This study attempts to explore the phenomenon of neoliberalism, with the new forms of governmentality, new socio-spatial relationships of power, and new infrastructures that support new image of relationships with highlighting the public- private partnerships of urban governance. Within neoliberal economy the involvement of private sector in every socio- economic and political aspect is increasing for the neoliberal nature of urban governance. The elite and expert controlled private sectors day by day are diminishing state control and changing the governing pattern. Thus neoliberal urban commons are undermined within neoliberal urban order. Hence it can be depicted in every sector the involvement of private organizations and poor participation of public sectors the study shows it from poverty reduction and post disaster risk management point of view. For poverty reduction and governance pattern the study depicts within neoliberal economy the socio- political and economic consequences of urban poor and poor living condition within the same system of urbanization. For them various NGOs are working for leading a better life as urban dwellers whereas, here the government support is totally empty. For post disaster risk management and urban governance it shows for a building collapse victims’ post disaster management various NGOs and INGOs are working and public organizations’ involvement is very poor for that. The study was conducted with primary data collection from the slums of Mirpur in Dhaka city. Thousand households were surveyed with a structured questionnaire constructed on habitat type, urban and social services, employment pattern, taking NGO service, political integration and leadership in slum community. There was also taken three in- depth interviews. Five private organizations are interviewed from the aspect of poverty reduction and post disaster risk management view. This study argues that within neoliberal economy and urbanization process urban governance is changing its pattern for neoliberalism.