Planning Challenges for Sustainable Cities in Bangladesh: A Radical Perspective

This chapter offers a critical examination of sustainable urban development in Bangladesh, focusing on the paradox between economic growth and persistent urban challenges. Cities like Dhaka have become engines of national development, yet they remain plagued by deep-rooted issues such as socio-spatial inequality, inadequate infrastructure, environmental degradation, and poor service delivery. The chapter identifies that these problems are intensified by neoliberal planning models that prioritise economic efficiency and market-based solutions over social equity and environmental sustainability. Weak institutional capacities further hinder effective urban governance, leading to disjointed planning efforts and poor coordination among agencies. Although national policies and sustainability strategies claim to promote inclusive urban development, they often fail in practice due to a lack of financial resources, implementation capacity, and alignment with local needs. This is particularly visible in the rapid loss of green spaces, inadequate housing, and deficient access to clean water and sanitation services. The chapter ultimately calls for a fundamental shift away from growth-centric, externally driven development models. It advocates for equity-centred urban policies that are context-sensitive, locally informed, and designed to promote long-term sustainability and social justice in Bangladesh’s urban future.