Impacts of Unplanned Urbanization on the Socio–Economic Conditions and Environment of Pabna Municipality, Bangladesh

Abstract

Urbanization plays a significant role to progress and develop the human civilization because it radically changes the basic foundation of the ingredients of social, economic, political and cultural structures of a society and the country as well. Sustainable development can be acquired with the implementation of successful urban planning but a city or town even a country can be gradually unsuitable for living if the urbanization process is unplanned and haphazard. This study was based on the process of unplanned urbanization in Pabna municipality of Bangladesh and also dealt its effects on the current socio – economic conditions. The study showed that Pabna municipality is gradually developed owing to the unplanned urbanization yet many solemn and highly risky problems are perceiving and detecting for both human and environment such as overpopulation, haphazard housing service, health burdens, urban poverty, crime, child labor, erratic education system, mismanagement of waste, deforestation, air, water, sound and soil pollutions,  carbon emission, environmental hazards, traffic jam, mis– and unemployment, improper drainage system, inadequate entertainment facilities, drug abuse, vulnerable ecosystem, medley lifestyle and culture etc. Finally, the study made some highly effective suggestions and policy recommendations for escaping from these conditions by which Pabna municipality would be familiar as a model urban region in Bangladesh.