Model of social sustainability for Dhaka city, Bangladesh

Rapid urbanization, particularly in developing countries, poses significant challenges to social sustainability. The global population shift towards urban areas, with a projected 83% of urban dwellers residing in developing nations by 2050, necessitates a strategic prioritization of social sustainability to maintain quality of life. Dhaka, Bangladesh, serves as a prime example of a rapidly growing megacity grappling with the consequences of unchecked urbanization. The city faces numerous social problems including inadequate housing, urban poverty, limited health facilities, lack of women's empowerment, poor public transportation, illiteracy, and insufficient open spaces. These issues significantly hinder socially sustainable urban development. Existing research on social sustainability in urban contexts often lacks a comprehensive model applicable to developing regions. This study aims to address this gap by proposing a specific model tailored to the conditions and needs of Dhaka city.

The concept of sustainable development, introduced in the 1987 Brundtland Report, emphasizes the interconnectedness of economic, social, and environmental dimensions. While social sustainability gained prominence in the late 1990s, its application in urban development, particularly in developing countries, remains relatively under-researched. The literature highlights the importance of socially sustainable urban development, which goes beyond general sustainable development by prioritizing social aspects such as education, equality, community, and safety. Dhaka's rapid urbanization, driven largely by rural-urban migration, has exacerbated existing social problems. The city's high population density and inadequate infrastructure contribute to challenges in achieving social sustainability. Existing national and local policies in Bangladesh aim to promote sustainable urbanization, but the lack of a comprehensive social sustainability model hinders effective implementation. This study draws upon the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) themes and Bangladesh's National Urban Sector Policy (2011) to establish a framework for a Dhaka-specific model.

This study employed a quantitative research approach using a structured questionnaire survey administered to 564 residents of Dhaka city. Participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique, ensuring representation across different wards. Prior to the main survey, a pilot study with 109 respondents was conducted to assess the questionnaire's content validity and refine the items. Data analysis involved outlier detection, missing data checks, normality and multicollinearity assessments, and reliability analysis using Cronbach's alpha. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on a subset of the data (219 responses) to identify underlying factors and refine the measurement items. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using structural equation modeling (SEM) with AMOS 26.0 was then applied to a separate dataset (345 responses) to test the proposed model and assess its fit. The study assessed the measurement model using indicators such as average variance extracted (AVE), composite reliability (CR), and goodness-of-fit (GOF) indices. The structural model evaluated the relationships between the independent variables (11 social sustainability themes) and the dependent variable (socially sustainable urban development). Hypothesis testing was conducted to determine the significance of the relationships between the identified factors.

The EFA and CFA analyses resulted in a refined model comprising 38 indicators under 11 social sustainability themes. The KMO value (0.902) and Bartlett's test of sphericity (Sig. = 0.000) indicated that the data were suitable for factor analysis. The final model explained 78.58% of the total variance. The SEM-based CFA demonstrated good model fit indices. The structural model revealed that all 11 hypothesized social sustainability themes had a statistically significant and positive influence on socially sustainable urban development. The R-squared value for the dependent variable (socially sustainable urban development) was 0.75, indicating a substantial effect. Specifically, Health facilities (β = 0.065, p < 0.05), Gender equality and women's empowerment (β = 0.158, p < 0.05), Urban poverty and slums improvement (β = 0.163, p < 0.01), Urban children, aged, disabled, and scavengers (β = 0.131, p < 0.05), Transportation availability (β = 0.075, p < 0.05), Satisfaction with space (β = 0.092, p < 0.01), Open space (β = 0.108, p < 0.05), Social capital (β = 0.142, p < 0.01), Social justice (β = 0.087, p < 0.05), Safety (β = 0.116, p < 0.01), and Education facilities (β = 0.066, p < 0.05) all showed significant positive relationships with socially sustainable urban development. The final model includes 38 items across these 11 themes deemed critical for socially sustainable urban development in Dhaka.

The findings confirm the significant positive influence of social sustainability on socially sustainable urban development in Dhaka. The model's indicators provide specific, measurable targets for policymakers and urban planners to address the city's social challenges. The strong positive effects of factors such as urban poverty and slum improvement, gender equality and women's empowerment, and social capital highlight the critical need for inclusive and equitable development strategies. The significant influence of transportation availability and open spaces underscores the importance of urban infrastructure and environmental considerations in social sustainability. The study's results provide valuable insights for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11 by offering a practical framework for improving the quality of life in Dhaka and other similar rapidly urbanizing cities in developing countries. The proposed model aligns with existing literature emphasizing the social dimensions of sustainability and provides a more nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to socially sustainable urban development in context-specific settings.

This study presents a novel social sustainability model for Dhaka, offering a practical framework for achieving socially sustainable urban development. The model, validated through rigorous statistical analysis, identifies 38 key indicators across 11 themes. The findings highlight the importance of addressing various social challenges, such as poverty, gender inequality, and inadequate infrastructure. The model provides valuable guidance for policymakers and urban planners seeking to create more inclusive and sustainable cities. Future research could explore the model's applicability to other rapidly urbanizing cities in developing countries, incorporating qualitative methods to provide richer insights into the social complexities of urban life. Further investigation into the dynamic interplay between different social sustainability themes is warranted.

The study's reliance on a quantitative research approach using a questionnaire survey may limit the depth of understanding of the complex social dynamics in Dhaka. The sample size, while substantial, may not fully capture the diversity of experiences across the entire city population. The selection of 11 social sustainability themes, while informed by existing literature, might not be entirely exhaustive. Future research should consider expanding the themes and incorporating mixed methods to capture a broader range of perspectives and experiences.