Unplanned and Unsustainable: Impacts of Urbanization in Purbachal

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and unplanned development activities have become serious problems in developing countries and Bangladesh is in that category as river pollution, land grabbing and unplanned construction works are ongoing here. The secondary effects of rapid urbanization include environmental problems, health difficulties, and poverty. This paper finds that the environmental condition of Purbachal is unbearable as developers are doing construction work for commercial purposes. The biodiversity of Purbachal is threatened due to several types of pollution, wherein air and water pollution are prominent. The River Balu is polluted by unplanned activities surrounding the study area. Moreover, the land acquisition process did not bring any positivity; instead, it took away the affluent life of the locals and, indeed, it is the prime factor in causing vulnerable socio-economic conditions. Unplanned development activities make residents more likely to be subjected to respiratory and waterborne diseases. The study also shows the authorities' apathy in protecting the area from unsustainable activities. This research concluded that careful actions of responsible bodies are badly needed to protect the area from unsustainable activities as well as environmental catastrophes.