Growth of Informal Settlements and its Effect on Urban Environment: Case Study of Three Selected Wards of Khulna City Corporation

Abstract

Unplanned urbanization is the root of all kinds of urban disaster. Growth of informal settlements is one kind of disaster because it destroys the urban environment, social environment and urban aesthetic views. In the developing countries, informal settlements are growing rapidly because the natural population growth rate and rate of migration from rural to urban is higher. The metropolitan cities of Bangladesh have experienced the growth of informal settlements. The capital city of Bangladesh has experienced by a huge number of informal settlements since 1947 when the British colony is divided into Pakistan and India on the basis of religion. In Khulna City, the growth of informal settlements is remarkable. These settlements are polluting urban living environment regularly_ the household solid wastes, unhygienic sanitation facilities, poor drainage systems are the causes of urban environmental pollution. Generally, these types of pollution are created by the dwellers of informal settlements. In the present study, researcher has tried to find out the causes of growth of informal settlements in the metropolitan cities. According to the nature of the problems some policy measures and alternative model projects are out-lined that would be helpful to reduce the growth of informal settlements and help to save the urban environment. Out of 31 wards, 3 wards have been taken as study area. From each ward, 8 informal settlements are taken as sample settlement. From each settlement 10 sample households have surveyed. Except this, opinions have taken from the civil society to analyze the causes and effects of the problem. Analyzing all the opinions and observations, some policy measures are suggested in the research which will be helpful to solve the problem and may be helpful for the decision making authorities. As the research is an action oriented Government or relevant organizations on the basis of the proposed alternative model projects and recommendations may start a pilot project in the study area.