A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1987

Rapid growth of urbanization caused largely by heavy influx of migrants from rural areas has created severe pressure on urban housing and public services in the metropolitan city of Dhaka. The expansion of infrastructure and services could not cope with the rapid growth. This situation coupled with the poor economic condition of the inmigrants has given rise to the formation of a large number of slums, especially in the older parts of Dhaka, where service inadequacies have been compounded and multiplied on a massive scale, resulting in a critical environmental condition. This explains the necessity of immediate improvement. Against this background , a segment of Islambag slum, located in the inner part of Dhaka, was studied. Possibilities were systematically explored for formulating and designing an upgrading project proposal, which is affordable to the dwellers and requires but a minimum of subsidies, or probably even no external subsidy at all. Background information on socio- economic conditions, income generating activities and physical infrastructure of the community were collected through a two-pronged field survey. Priority areas and extent of improvement needed in each case were identified. A comprehensive set of hypotheses were tested to substantiate findings, explain factors concerning extant conditions and ascertain potential. Thereupon, a project proposal incorporating improvement of infrastructure services and utilities, was designed which meets with dwellers' preferences and approval. The results show that the upgrading project would most likely be affordable to the dwellers without external subsidy, and full cost of improvement would eventually be recoverable from the beneficiaries. Given some technical assistance, the community has a good potential in the form of people's participation for improving its own environment.