Analyzing the relationship between planning theories and affordable housing provision practices in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

With rapid urbanization and urban growth, Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, is struggling with providing affordable housing for the inhabitants with the limited resources available. This paper examined the role of all the stakeholders and the impact of stakeholder's coordination in the governance practice- whether it is enabling the practice to succeed or failing it. It also explores the perspective of increasing informality and lack of housing in Dhaka city in addition to how the lack of knowledge and power imbalance contributes to that growth rate. The investigation was performed by analyzing the role of laws and regulations (rules and how authorities are using those) that are either encouraging or limiting the availability of formal living spaces in the city. In conclusion, this paper tried to evaluate the purpose of planning and planners' role in ensuring stakeholder participation in housing provision, especially for the marginalized inhabitants of the city, and how that practice would relate to the contemporary planning theories.

Conclusion

What is important here is the association of place, site, and context in community development. As Beauregard, 2013, stated, places are socially constructed or performed and open. It also accumulates "things, thoughts, and memories in particular configurations" [44]. Creating a place from the site in any context helps the place in achieving an identity and recognition. In the case of Dhaka city, the development approach should focus on safeguarding that people have the memories and have the norms they already have in there. That argument is also supported by the statement [45], where they discussed the identity creation of an African city. That is why community development and community-based neighborhood regeneration are guiding the way forward on the development of affordable housing in Dhaka city.

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