Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is on the brink of becoming uninhabitable as unchecked urbanization and environmental degradation erode the natural foundation upon which the city once thrived. A recent study by the private research organization Change Initiative paints an alarming picture: in the 44 years from 1980 to 2024, the densely populated areas of Dhaka have increased sevenfold, land temperatures have spiked by up to 5°C, and an astonishing 60% of the city’s water resources have vanished.
The findings were revealed at a press conference on Sunday titled “Dhaka without nature? Rethinking the concept of sustainable cities based on natural rights”, held at a hotel in the capital. Using satellite imagery, temperature mapping, and urbanization data from 1980 to 2024, the study reveals a capital city engulfed in a man-made environmental crisis.A City Losing Its Nature: Back in 1980, Dhaka had a water resource footprint significantly healthier than today. According to the study, only 4.8% of the city's current area retains water bodies, while the green cover has shrunk from 21.6% to just 11.6%. This dramatic loss of lakes, canals, and open spaces has contributed to a rise in land surface temperatures between 3°C and 5°C.
“No place in Dhaka today has a temperature below 30°C,” said Sabrin Sultana, a research associate at Change Initiative. “Hot spots such as Shyampur, Hazaribagh, Tejgaon, Rampura, and Darussalam now regularly clock temperatures above 32°C.”  
The most environmentally stressed areas include Adabor, Rampura, Kafrul, Bangshal, and Wari, where there are virtually no trees left. In addition, Sutrapur, Mirpur, Gendaria, and parts of Kafrul have become waterless zones.
Alarming Overconstruction and Heat Islands: Out of 50 police station zones in Dhaka, 37 have exceeded the safe construction limit, meaning that more than 70% of the area is now covered in concrete and impermeable surfaces. “The amount of concrete in areas like Bangshal, Sutrapur, Kalabagan, and Hazaribagh exceeds 90%. These are now literal heat islands,” said Md. Fuad Hasan, another researcher from the team.
The urban heat island effect—where concrete and asphalt retain heat and radiate it back into the air—has intensified due to this overconstruction. This has grave consequences for public health, energy use, and the liveability of the city.
Green and Blue Infrastructure Nearly Gone: International urban standards recommend a minimum of 9 square meters of green space per person. Dhaka falls far short of this mark. In fact, only six police station zones meet the minimum water reservoir standards set by environmental experts. Uttarkhan and Turag—still located on the city’s outskirts—retain some of their green and blue elements. But the older, denser parts of Dhaka—such as Wari, Bangshal, and Kotwali—have almost no access to natural elements, making them vulnerable to extreme heat, flooding, and pollution.
The Causes: Unplanned Growth and Weak Governance: The research attributes Dhaka’s environmental collapse to uncontrolled and unplanned urbanization, a lack of transparency in land management, and the non-enforcement of the Water Conservation Act. According to M Zakir Hossain Khan, Research Director and CEO of Change Initiative, “In the name of development, Dhaka’s nature has been destroyed. The loss of thousands of animal species, the surge in inhaler sales due to air pollution—these are all symptoms of a broken system.”
He pointed to cities like Singapore, where nature-based urban planning has ensured environmental and economic resilience, and urged Dhaka to take a similar path before it is too late.
Consequences: Rising Public Health Risks: Experts say the environmental crisis is not just an ecological concern—it’s a growing public health emergency. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense. Pollution levels are rising. Respiratory diseases are surging. And the mental stress of living in cramped, overheated conditions is affecting the city's already overburdened health systems.
“Sales of inhalers and allergy medication have sharply increased in the past decade,” said environmentalist Dr. Rehana Mostafa. “We’re seeing more cases of heat stroke, asthma, and waterborne diseases. The environment is directly impacting health, especially among the elderly and children.”
Policy Recommendations from Change Initiative: To reverse this trend, Change Initiative has proposed a list of urgent and structural reforms:
Establishing ‘right to nature’ as a constitutional right and enacting laws that criminalize the illegal filling of wetlands and forest areas. Identifying ecological buffer zones in Dhaka through reforms in the Detailed Area Plan (DAP). Reducing Floor Area Ratio (FAR) allowances in ecologically vulnerable areas to prevent overbuilding.
Creating an environmental compensation framework, this requires developers to offset the damage done to natural ecosystems. Imposing higher taxes on concrete structures—five times more than those that are eco-friendly. Reviving and protecting Dhaka's water bodies, including canals, rivers, and lakes. Ensuring community stewardship of natural resources, involving citizens in protecting their environment.
Expert Voices: Time for Urgent Action: Urban planners and economists have also weighed in on the findings. Dr. Adnan Habib, a professor of Urban Planning at BUET, noted: “Dhaka has reached a critical threshold. We must begin incorporating ecological indicators into all planning decisions. There should be no compromise on preserving the few remaining water bodies and open spaces.”
Environmental economist Dr. Fahmida Khatun emphasized the economic cost of environmental degradation, noting that “heat stress and pollution-related illnesses reduce worker productivity and increase healthcare costs, which are rarely accounted for in GDP calculations. Dhaka’s current trajectory is economically unsustainable.”
Will Dhaka Listen: Despite years of warnings from experts, urban activists, and citizens, Dhaka’s environmental collapse has only accelerated? Laws exist, but enforcement is weak. Political will is often sidelined by short-term commercial and real estate interests.
Change Initiative’s report may be one of the most detailed accounts yet, but whether it can influence meaningful policy reform remains uncertain. “We’re not just losing trees and ponds,” warned Sabrin Sultana. “We’re losing time.”
Dhaka’s story is no longer just one of growth and ambition. It’s also a cautionary tale of what happens when a city ignores its ecological roots. Without immediate and bold action—guided by a nature-centric urban policy—Dhaka may soon find itself unliveable not just for its human population, but for all forms of life that once called this land home.
“We must decide now,” Zakir Hossain Khan concluded. “Do we want Dhaka to become the next Karachi—or the next Singapore?”