A Study on the Mobility Pattern of Slum Dwellers in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dhaka is the capital and one of the oldest cities of Bangladesh, mostly renowned as the economic and business hub of the economy of the country. Transport studies on Dhaka, the capital and primate city of Bangladesh, do fairly reflect on the overall mobility scenario of the city. However, there is a paucity of literature on the subject for the four million people who live in slums. Furthermore, most of the extant gray literature contradicts itself, claiming that many slum people utilize rickshaws and other non-motorized vehicles. As a result, low-income people’s mobility needs are frequently disregarded in transportation policies and programs. This study summarizes the findings of the movement pattern of inhabitants of four slums in Dhaka in order to make an empirical contribution in this area. The majority of slum inhabitants’ routine excursions are for employment, with 58% taking place on foot, followed by rickshaws (12%), bicycles (6%), boats (7%), public buses (6%), and scooter/tempo (6%) (11%). Slum residents walk because they cannot afford to pay for transportation. They also visit their families on occasions, such as during festivals and other holidays. Gender differences in transport mode selection were observed. The most influential criteria for slum residents’ mode choice behavior include household income, distance, trip cost, journey time, and so on.