Urban Studies and Migration

This ethnography seeks to understand the connections between livelihoods, risk, capital and migration by using a framework which considers not only economic implications but more importantly, the social and cultural underpinnings of the phenomena under study. Drawing on the lived experiences, ideas, beliefs and attitude of men and women from two migration-intensive villages in Comilla, Bangladesh, the study attempts to explore the causal links between lack of security in people’s lives and livelihoods and overseas labour migration. 

This book makes an innovative attempt to generate greater understanding about the rapid growth of Dhaka City, the deeply entrenched class hierarchy and offers a socio-economic analysis of the slum and non-slum households. It is an important departure from the existing literature in a number of ways. First, it used the latest and recognized sources of secondary materials and population estimates and projections. Second, it makes a thorough and broad-spectrum review of theories on determinants and consequences of migration.

With a population of almost 12 million, Dhaka is the world's 11th largest city and amongst the most densely populated. At the same time, it is consistently ranked as one of the least livable city in the world. Rapid migration, poor city management, low efficiency and massive corruption in service provision are exacerbating the problems. Urban traffic is reaching nightmare proportions, and water and air pollution from poor waste and traffic management poses serious health risks.