Dhaka is undoubtedly overcrowded, as seen by its highways and streets, as well as its cramped residential complexes. Being the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka is the busiest city. It is the main centre of commercial activities, advanced medical care and even higher education. That is, everything is capital-centric due to centralisation. According to data, 1700 people are added to the existing population of Dhaka city every day. Due to intense and unplanned urbanisation, which has pushed Dhaka among the most populated cities in the world to the core, there are considerable challenges. So, there has been a growing demand for decentralisation and sustainable urbanisation not only for the health of citizens but also for the economic health of Bangladesh.

Decentralising Dhaka requires concerted efforts to develop secondary cities across Bangladesh and reduce the concentration of resources in the capital. Strengthening and promoting the development of secondary cities such as Chattogram, Sylhet, Khulna, and Rajshahi are critical for easing the burden on Dhaka. These cities have the potential to emerge as alternative economic hubs with investments in infrastructure, industrialisation and services. Creating job opportunities and improving living conditions in these cities will encourage people to relocate and alleviate pressure on Dhaka. Infrastructure investment in developing transportation networks that link secondary cities with Dhaka and other regions is essential for decentralisation. Improved rail, road and air connectivity will make these cities more accessible and attractive to businesses and residents alike. Large-scale projects like the Padma Bridge, which connects the south-western part of Bangladesh to Dhaka, are examples of how connectivity can stimulate regional growth.

Relocating some government offices, administrative departments and educational institutions to other cities can help distribute the population more evenly across the country. Promoting urbanisation that includes proper zoning, green spaces and disaster-resilient infrastructure can prevent the haphazard growth seen in Dhaka. Regional planning should be proactive to accommodate future growth, avoiding the overcrowding and resource strain currently faced by the capital. While decentralisation can relieve Dhaka, urbanisation across Bangladesh must also be sustainable to ensure that new challenges do not emerge in other cities. Sustainable urbanisation focuses on environmental, economic and social sustainability, making cities resilient and liveable in the long term. Eco-friendly infrastructure, water and waste management, public-private partnerships, expansion of public transport, green spaces and climate resilience policy framework and vision can also help in decentralising Dhaka city.

However, with high density, congestion becomes a serious problem. And this is what we see in Dhaka. We all believe that the negatives outweigh the benefits in Dhaka. With the per capita income of Dhaka residents, it is impossible to provide infrastructure that meets the demands of such a large metropolis. That is why several subsidies must be paid. Decentralisation of Dhaka is also required to end the loop. No matter how many flyovers, elevated ways, or development infrastructures are erected in Dhaka, they will be of no use. We have no choice to new urbanisation or industry. That is why attention must be paid not just to Dhaka, but to all of the cities. Small towns are now more liveable than Dhaka. If the situation in minor towns cannot be rectified, the strain on Dhaka will not be relieved. The communication infrastructure with the districts around Dhaka should be improved so that residents may come and go easily after accomplishing their daily tasks. Sustainable urbanisation refers to ecologically friendly urbanisation. However, it should be designed in such a way that we may safeguard rural communities and agricultural fields to the greatest extent feasible.