Unplanned urbanization and health risks of Dhaka City in Bangladesh: uncovering the associations between urban environment and public health

BackgroundDhaka City, the capital of Bangladesh, has experienced rapid and unplanned urbanization over the past few decades. This process has brought significant challenges to public health as the urban environment has become a breeding ground for various health risks. Understanding the associations...

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Main Authors: Mohammad Anisur Rahaman, Abul Kalam, Md. Al-Mamun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-10-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1269362/full
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author Mohammad Anisur Rahaman
Mohammad Anisur Rahaman
Abul Kalam
Md. Al-Mamun
author_facet Mohammad Anisur Rahaman
Mohammad Anisur Rahaman
Abul Kalam
Md. Al-Mamun
author_sort Mohammad Anisur Rahaman
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundDhaka City, the capital of Bangladesh, has experienced rapid and unplanned urbanization over the past few decades. This process has brought significant challenges to public health as the urban environment has become a breeding ground for various health risks. Understanding the associations between unplanned urbanization, the urban environment, and public health in Dhaka City is crucial for developing effective interventions and policies.ObjectivesThis review paper aims to uncover the associations between unplanned urbanization and health risks in Dhaka City, with a specific focus on the urban environment and its impact on public health. The objectives of this study are to examine the health challenges faced by the city’s population, explore the specific urban environmental factors contributing to health risks, analyze the socioeconomic determinants of health in unplanned urban areas, evaluate existing policies and governance structures, identify research and data gaps, and provide recommendations for future interventions.MethodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted to gather relevant studies, articles, reports, and policy documents related to unplanned urbanization, the urban environment, and public health in Dhaka City. Various databases and online resources were searched, and the selected literature was critically analyzed to extract key findings and insights.ResultsThe findings reveal that unplanned urbanization in Dhaka City has led to a range of public health risks, including air pollution, inadequate water and sanitation, poor waste management, overcrowding, slums, and substandard housing conditions. These environmental factors are strongly associated with respiratory diseases, waterborne illnesses, and other adverse health outcomes. Socioeconomic determinants such as poverty, income inequality, and limited access to healthcare further exacerbate the health risks faced by the urban population.ConclusionUnplanned urbanization in Dhaka City has significant implications for public health. Addressing the associations between unplanned urbanization, the urban environment, and public health requires comprehensive policies and interventions. Improved urban planning, enhanced infrastructure, and better policy governance are essential for mitigating health risks. Furthermore, addressing socioeconomic disparities and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services are crucial components of effective interventions.
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spelling doaj.art-a878ef47f6ff4f1294a5f7d4f16215992023-10-19T07:31:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652023-10-011110.3389/fpubh.2023.12693621269362Unplanned urbanization and health risks of Dhaka City in Bangladesh: uncovering the associations between urban environment and public healthMohammad Anisur Rahaman0Mohammad Anisur Rahaman1Abul Kalam2Md. Al-Mamun3College of Public Administration, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Sociology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, BangladeshDepartment of Sociology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, BangladeshDepartment of Sociology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, BangladeshBackgroundDhaka City, the capital of Bangladesh, has experienced rapid and unplanned urbanization over the past few decades. This process has brought significant challenges to public health as the urban environment has become a breeding ground for various health risks. Understanding the associations between unplanned urbanization, the urban environment, and public health in Dhaka City is crucial for developing effective interventions and policies.ObjectivesThis review paper aims to uncover the associations between unplanned urbanization and health risks in Dhaka City, with a specific focus on the urban environment and its impact on public health. The objectives of this study are to examine the health challenges faced by the city’s population, explore the specific urban environmental factors contributing to health risks, analyze the socioeconomic determinants of health in unplanned urban areas, evaluate existing policies and governance structures, identify research and data gaps, and provide recommendations for future interventions.MethodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted to gather relevant studies, articles, reports, and policy documents related to unplanned urbanization, the urban environment, and public health in Dhaka City. Various databases and online resources were searched, and the selected literature was critically analyzed to extract key findings and insights.ResultsThe findings reveal that unplanned urbanization in Dhaka City has led to a range of public health risks, including air pollution, inadequate water and sanitation, poor waste management, overcrowding, slums, and substandard housing conditions. These environmental factors are strongly associated with respiratory diseases, waterborne illnesses, and other adverse health outcomes. Socioeconomic determinants such as poverty, income inequality, and limited access to healthcare further exacerbate the health risks faced by the urban population.ConclusionUnplanned urbanization in Dhaka City has significant implications for public health. Addressing the associations between unplanned urbanization, the urban environment, and public health requires comprehensive policies and interventions. Improved urban planning, enhanced infrastructure, and better policy governance are essential for mitigating health risks. Furthermore, addressing socioeconomic disparities and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services are crucial components of effective interventions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1269362/fullunplanned urbanizationurban environmenthealth risksDhaka citypublic health
spellingShingle Mohammad Anisur Rahaman
Mohammad Anisur Rahaman
Abul Kalam
Md. Al-Mamun
Unplanned urbanization and health risks of Dhaka City in Bangladesh: uncovering the associations between urban environment and public health
Frontiers in Public Health
unplanned urbanization
urban environment
health risks
Dhaka city
public health
title Unplanned urbanization and health risks of Dhaka City in Bangladesh: uncovering the associations between urban environment and public health
title_full Unplanned urbanization and health risks of Dhaka City in Bangladesh: uncovering the associations between urban environment and public health
title_fullStr Unplanned urbanization and health risks of Dhaka City in Bangladesh: uncovering the associations between urban environment and public health
title_full_unstemmed Unplanned urbanization and health risks of Dhaka City in Bangladesh: uncovering the associations between urban environment and public health
title_short Unplanned urbanization and health risks of Dhaka City in Bangladesh: uncovering the associations between urban environment and public health
title_sort unplanned urbanization and health risks of dhaka city in bangladesh uncovering the associations between urban environment and public health
topic unplanned urbanization
urban environment
health risks
Dhaka city
public health
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1269362/full
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