Neoliberal urbanism and privatization of space: A study of urban redevelopment in dhaka city

Abstract

This study is an effort to demonstrate the interaction between neoliberalism and privatization of the urban space of the city of Dhaka. The neoliberal agenda has given birth to the modern Dhaka bestowed with all elements of luxury. The city of Dhaka is now perceptible with series of skyscrapers, gorgeous shopping malls, elegant cafes and restaurants reflecting absolutely a consumer culture. The theory of Neoliberalism of David Harvey was put forward to make the study theoretically sound. Land use survey, in-depth interviews and observation were employed to sketch the landscape of commercialization and privatization of the city space. The study was followed by ‘theory to data’ approach where qualitative data have supplemented the quantitative method. Gulshan, Motijheel and Dhanmondi are taken as the study areas as they are the center of finance, consumerism and infrastructure of the city. Furthermore, in case of selecting the study area there was a blend of South Dhaka and North Dhaka to represent the real political and economic practice of the world system. The data was analyzed both statistically and thematically. The study found that the residential space of Dhanmondi and Gulshan were transformed into commercial establishments and public space of Motijheel was in privatized ones. The poor people were uprooted from their slum or slum like habitation and thrown to urban periphery. They were segregated from the central city to make the inner road, canal side, lake side, footpath beautiful and lucrative. Thus the commercialization and privatization of space have unfortunately deprived the poor segment of the population from their right to modern city life. Rather it has facilitated only very few national bourgeoisie and transnational elites. It has reduced the commercial role of Motijheel and handed over it to Gulshan. But Motijasheel has not yet lost its central commercial role as business zone of the city. All of these transformations of space of the city of Dhaka has actually put in practice the political and economic practices of neoliberalism with the help of the neoliberal state. The neoliberal state was created to promote good business environment and facilitate restoration of class in the city.