Efficiency Measures of Urban Land Transformation in Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s cities are undergoing rapid and uneven spatial expansion, largely due to a lack of integrated planning and regional coordination. There is a limited understanding of the magnitude of spatial expansion, particularly across city corporations in comparative contexts, which is crucial for developing strategies for the sustainability transition. To bridge this gap, this study assesses urban land use efficiency across all 12 city corporations between 2001-2024 using the lens of SDG 11.3.1. Using remote sensing data and demographic statistics, the study measures changes in five land use types – urban, vegetation, water, barren and cropland – to evaluate spatial patterns of urbanisation across city typologies. This analysis is further supported by interviews with 24 urban planning experts and 150 residents. Findings reveal that coastal cities exhibit significantly higher per capita land consumption compared to inland cities, with urban expansion often encroaching on ecologically sensitive areas. Across all city types, valuable cropland is being converted into built-up lands, with only marginally improved vegetation efficiency. Despite modest gains in the SDG indicator, the results suggest a decline in urban sustainability, particularly in small and medium-sized cities where unplanned growth is accelerating. The study underscores the urgent need for regional urbanisation policies, tailored land management strategies and spatial planning reforms to ensure a more equitable and resilient urban future in Bangladesh.

• Research Project