The Environmental Impacts of

Urbanisation in Bangladesh
Dhaka,
Bangladesh
in 1989 vs
2019

Presented by
Mst. Fahmida Akter
Roll : 2012148116
Contents related to this topic are :

1. Urbanisation
2. Environmental Impacts of
Urbanisation in Bangladesh
3. Recommendations
Urbanisation
Urbanization refers to the process by which people
move from rural areas to urban centers, leading to the
growth of cities.

Statista-2024
Bangladesh: Urbanisation from 2019 to 2022
Environmental Impacts of Urbanisation
in Bangladesh

1 Impacts on Lithosphere or Land 2 Impacts on Hydrosphere or

Resources Water Resources
Section B

3 4
Impacts on Biosphere or Impacts on Atmosphere or
Living Entities Air resources
1 Impacts on Lithosphere or Land Resources

a) Farmland Depletion
Due to rapid urbanization and
industrialization in Bangladesh :

— Over 69,000 hectares of

Agricultural land Shrinking
annually.

— Agricultural land is decreasing

by 0.43 percent annually.
1 Impacts on Lithosphere or Land Resources

b) River Erosion
CEGIS highlighted that :

— Approximately 20 out of 64
districts in Bangladesh are susceptible
to riverbank erosion.

— Each year, around 8,700 hectares of

land are lost due to erosion,

— Affecting approximately 200,900

people by destroying their homes and
agricultural land.
 Impacts on Hydrosphere or Water Resources
2
a) Water Pollution and Disappearing Wetlands

— Rapid unplanned urbanization has led

to a significant decline in groundwater
levels in Dhaka.

— Dhaka lost about 75% of its wetlands

in the last 40 years.

— Wetland filling and high-rise

development exacerbate earthquake risks
for urban dwellers.
3 Impacts on Biosphere or Living Entities

a) Sound Pollution

— Unplanned urbanization in
Bangladesh has intensified
noise pollution due to
increased vehicular traffic,
construction, industrial
activities, and social events.
3 Impacts on Biosphere or Living Entities

b) Solid Waste Management Problem

— Rapid Urbanisation increased
waste generation in cities and it
creates solid waste management
problem.

— Solid waste releases harmful

substances, leading to water, air
and soil pollution and the
destruction of biodiversity.
4 Impacts on Atmosphere or Air Resources

a) Air Quality
— Increased energy consumption leads to
greater emissions from power plants,
vehicles, and industries.

— Industrial emissions release pollutants

such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon
monoxide (CO), and heavy metals.

In 2022, Bangladesh ranked fifth out of

131 countries in terms of air pollution.
4 Impacts on Atmosphere or Air Resources

b) Heat Island
The heat island effect happens
when cities become
significantly hotter than the
surrounding countryside.

It happen because of :
— Rapid urbanisation
—mass number of concrete
buildings
—Lack of trees, parks and
vegetation
4 Impacts on Atmosphere or Air Resources

c) Climate
Change
 Recommendations
1. Sustainable Urban Planning

2. Promote Green Infrastructure

3. Air and Water Quality Control

4. Waste Management and Recycling

5. Preserve Natural Ecosystem.

“ We need to Balance in all things, including
our cities and their impact on nature.”

— Dr. Saleemul Huq

Thank You