High Density Housing PDF

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High-density Housing Problems in the Context of Dhaka City High-density housing has become one of the major concerns in the field of solving the housing problem in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. It is one of the most densely populated cities of the world with a density of almost 23,234 per sq. kilometer. The rapid growth of population is caused by the natural growth, immigration from rural areas and territorial expansion of Dhaka city, but due to lack of resources and fundamental policies, the housing situation has not been able to cope up with this rapid growth of population since the birth of the country in 1971. Previously environmental friendly, socioeconomically enriched, low-density housings have turned into densely populated housings to meet the high demand of housing. On the way of solving housing issues, high-density housing is creating more problems than expected as it is creating many pitfalls such as deterioration of the environment, reduction of outdoor green spaces, higher congestion in road traffic, higher crime rate, and higher demand for public amenities. Therefore, it is evident that high-density housing is not the most effective solution for solving the housing problem of Dhaka city. The population density comes with high-density housing creates immense pressure for the requirement of daily necessities. Without sufficient necessities, these housings become unlivable for the users. Over the past decades, Dhaka has faced an unplanned and unrestricted number of high-density housings, but the increase of amenities are relatively insignificant. Therefore, the problem is clearly visible. The essential amenities include gas, sewage disposal, water supply, power, and telecommunication. The number of service providers is limited and they have already reached their limits of providing these facilities. The housing that had low to medium density is being currently replaced by high-density housings and making the situation even worse. Most of the service providers were established decades ago and they did not grow

proportionately with the rapid growth of the urban population. These providers are simply inadequate to meet the present need of these huge chunks of the population. The development of mass transportation and related facilities could not keep pace with the high growth of population in Dhaka. The population growth has increased, but the width of roads and the number of public transportation remained almost the same. The number of privet owned cars and vehicles has increased, thus making the situation worse. The dense housing areas are growing alongside the single link road connecting the north and south side of Dhaka city. All these have contributed to the horrendous traffic congestions and delays in roads and highways. There are some guidelines for construction housing areas in Dhaka, but most of the cases, these guidelines are not thoroughly followed. Poor quality of construction and lack of fire safety measures are threatening to public life. Due to inadequate work force and resources, controlling agencies cannot regulate the construction of these housings. As the road width did not increase with the time, sometimes during fire hazards, it is difficult for the fire equipment vehicles to access to the site. These problems are becoming more prominent day by day. Therefore, on the way of solving housing inadequacy, the high-density housings are also creating difficulty to achieve the basic needs of human life. With the better living environment, the housing can keep its dwellers free from some problems of city life, but high-density high-rise housing unavoidably creates some separation from the ground below. The high-density stimulate less social interaction within and the rest of the community, but this is important for the social environment, especially for the children and elderly persons. Only a few high-density housing provides adequate space for children and elderly persons. There has been evidence of a lower level of depression among elderly people in high-density housing areas. Higher density in the housing means the higher population of

different types. This also raises the concern of higher level of crime. Without proper surveillance and security measures, crime rate and increase in high-density housing areas. This may also create a threat to public life and hamper the normal flow of life. In Dhaka, the security agencies do not possess the work force needed to control the crime rate. So in recent years, the crime rate in the high-density neighborhood has become relatively high. With the deterioration of social and cultural values and higher crime rate, high- density housings are creating more problems than expected. Intensive use of land is also squeezing the green spaces of the cities. People are cutting down trees, filling the water reservoirs, demolishing the playgrounds to build new houses and apartments to meet the need of housing. These also creating an adverse effect on the environment. Buildings are closely placed and buildings hamper the natural flow of air and block natural light. Apartments are becoming damp and congested. These apartments, in turn, are becoming dark, unhealthy and unlivable. Children cannot play in playgrounds anymore and obesity levels are becoming high in recent years. In addition, if waste disposals, storm water drainage, and sewers are not properly designed, these create serious deterioration of the environment and public health. In Dhaka, the realtors and builders maintain minimum standards of these issues, as the law enforcing agencies do not monitor properly and creating more, mental and physical health issues day by day. As the population of Dhaka city is increasing day-by-day, the area did of the city did not expand proportionally. So to meet the necessities, Government, as well as the privet building developers, invest in high-density housings. The high-density housing can be economical given the infrastructure such as roads, streetlights, sewerage lines, water supply can be more effectively offered per capita. In addition, high-density housing increases property values and a higher

amount of rent can e collected from the tenants. So Government organizations also tend to invest in high-density housing colonies instead of previous low-rise low-density colonies for govt. employees, but on the way of meeting the housing requirements for the growing population, the high-density housing is creating more problems and making the city dwellers life unlivable. According to the Economist, Dhaka has ranked the world's fourth most unlivable cities. The crime rate in Dhaka city has become higher than the past years. The transportation system is also failing due to the lack of the necessary amount of public transport. To meet the public demand, Government has to invest more in the transportation system, building alternative roads, flyovers, and overhead metro rails. On the way of gaining more profits from the high-density housings, Government has to spend a lot more than expected to meet the populations' needs. For example, Government has undertaken a high-rise high-density housing project in Azimpur, Dhaka. Previously this government housing quarter was consisting of a series of low-rise buildings with multiple green spaces and fields in front of each building. In green spaces, people were involved in community gardening and plantation. This type of housing enhanced communal bonding among the people. Now, the colony is going to consist of high-rise high-density housing 23 towers with 1748 apartments. The green spaces and fields for children are reduced in size. The population of the housing has increased, but the existing roads, water and gas supply, sewer system capacity, electricity supply remained the same. The congestion in roads has increased. People are isolated in their apartments; the social and communal bonding has reduced significantly. Government is employing themselves in solving housing issues with profit earning high-density housing without acknowledging social, economic, communal, environmental problems arising with them.

The high-density housings, despite all the problems they are associated with, are growing in Dhaka city in large numbers at a very fast pace. Dhaka has become one of the most populous cities of the world. So the national governing bodies as well the urban planners should think of the alternative ways of high-density housings to meet the enormous need within limited resources available. When the past initiatives have failed to meet their projected goals, initiatives have to be taken so that the present plans and initiatives do not end up failing too. Government and responsible bodies should invest in researching alternative options for Dhaka city in contrast to high-density housing and formulate laws to protect public spaces to ensure healthy living for its residents. References: 1. The Global Livability Index 2018, The Economist 2. DMDP, 1994, Dhaka Metropolitan Development Plan, Dhaka Structure Plan1995-2015, RAJUK 3. Mohit, M.A., 1992, Institution at arrangements development of Dhaka Metropolitan Area: Problems and Issues 4. Iqbal, Asif 2005, Tall Buildings in The context of Dhaka city. 5. Ashraf, Kazi Khaled 2018, Building the City Building by Building, The Daily Star 2018 (https://www.thedailystar.net/news/opinion/perspective/building-the-city-buildingbuilding-1625752) 6. Islam, N. 2005, Dhaka Now: Contemporary Urban Development, Bangladesh Geographic Society, Dhaka...