Population Dynamics of Dhaka Megacity

Abstract

Bangladesh is a developing country with a very high population density. The country has 160 million populations with a small area of only 147, 570 km . Currently, the population density is around 1200 persons per km 2 which is 50 times higher than the global average density of population, 3 times that of our neighbor India, 7 times that of China and 35 times that of the United States of America. The density in urban areas, particularly within Dhaka Megacity remains very high. The average density within the 1500 km 2 DMC region was over 10,000 persons per km 2 2 . in 2011 Census. However, within the urban built up area the density mostly varied from 20,000 to 75,000 persons per km . In some parts of the city, mostly at the older part, the density was found as high as over 200,000 inhabitants per km 2 2 . This thesis mainly deals with the population dynamics of Dhaka Megacity (DMC), more particularly the distribution and variation of population density and growth within the DMC region in recent decades (i.e. 2001 and 2011 censuses). .and in slum areas of the city it was well over 200,000 people per km 2 Based on census data collected by the BBS, the study found that the DMC is one of the super high densely populated mega urban regions in the world. The average density of inhabitants within the north and south city corporation areas was recorded over 48,000 and 68,000 people per km . in 2011 Census year. However, the density over the two city corporation areas was mostly found to be varied from less than 20,000 persons to over 200,000 persons per km 2 . Within the vast fringe areas of DMC the density varied quite significantly from 700 persons to over 20,000 persons per km 2 2 . The growth of urban population within DMC for the last two census years (2001 and 2011) also recorded very high (3.85% per annum) and within the vast areas (i.e. within wards and unions) growth rates were found to be varied from - 5.5% to 16.4%. High growth rate areas were mostly located at the fringe areas, particularly

at the north-western and eastern fringe areas where industrial and commercial activities are highly concentrated. On the other hand, most of the low growth areas were located within the core areas or older parts of the city. The average growth rates recorded for DSCC and DNCC were found to be 1.29% and 3.22% respectively. DSCC where the older parts of DMC is located recorded relatively low growth (- 3.31 to 5.25 percent per annum). Areas having over 10% growth rates per annum were located mostly at the periphery areas, particularly at around Savar Paurashava, Tongi, Konabari, Siddirganj Paurashava, Vatara, Golakandail, Tarabo Paurashava etc. These are the areas where industrial and commercial activities along with construction works have been concentrated in the recent decades or so. It should be noted here that high growth rates are usually found in the areas where the density of population appeared to be low. Based on the study findings some relevant recommendations were made for healthy urbanization within the DMC region as well as to save Dhaka City from massive in-migration of rural people which in turn put acute pressure to costly build urban utilities/services developed in this capital city during the last couple of decades.