Poverty And Vulnerability In Dhaka Slums

Bangladesh has low levels of urbanization but a high urban population in absolute terms, being one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Rapid urbanization in developing countries brings numerous problems and challenges; urban poverty is one important issue. This important volume presents the findings of a complex and revealing multidisciplinary cohort study conducted in the slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Detailed information was assembled on material, social and economic conditions, livelihoods, health and nutritional status. Together with associated qualitative work, the data forms the basis for understanding groups who are vulnerable to economic and environmental shocks and stresses, and for differentiating strategies which might be adaptive in situations of hardship and scarcity. The author examines many aspects of poverty and vulnerability including livelihoods, work disabling illness and coping strategies, the female workforce, women’s negotiation and well being, marital instability, child labour, and investments in health and nutrition, and utilizes the assembled material to debate on policy options.

The analysis of urban poverty has traditionally been dominated by economic approaches, often neglecting the social questions arising from poverty. This book seeks to redress the balance and is based on both quantitative and qualitative data collected from different slums in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Shahadat Hossain shows that the slum communities experience the highest level of poverty and marginality in the city. They remain very much dependent on their families and social networking in their struggle to adapt to urban life. This book will be invaluable for those working in the areas of urban studies, development studies, Asian studies, sociology and social policy studies.

This book deepens the understanding of the broader processes that shape and mediate the responses to climate change of poor urban households and communities in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Representing an important contribution to the evolution of more effective pro-poor climate change policies in urban areas by local governments, national governments and international organisations, this book is invaluable reading to students and scholars of environment and development studies.

Dr. Faruque is an associate professor of social work at Winona State University, Winona, Minnesota. She is an author of textbooks and journals in trans-cultural and geriatric social work practice. Dr. Muhammad Samad is a professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Dr. Samad has authored and edited many books in the fields of social science and development. Drs. Faruque and Samad have a long-time collegial friendship working on globalization in social-welfare issues in the developing and developed world.

Investigates various aspects of Social Structure and Cultural Practices of Slum-dwellers in Dhaka city. It shows that social structure seems to be influencing the cultural life of slum dwellers.