Khulna University Studies 2(2): 381-394 381 SOCIAL SCIENCES Khulna University Studies 2(2): 381-394 POPULATION, URBANISATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN BANGLADESH A.H. Chaudhury ∗ , S.N. Ahmed and M.Z. Haider Economics Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh KUS-00/51-121000 Manuscript received: October 12, 2000; Accepted: September 5, 2001 Abstract: As a third world developing country Bangladesh encounters a multiplicity of problems like over population, unplanned urbanization and so on. All these problems act as constraints of sustainable development. This study concentrates how population and urbanization features of Bangladesh challenge its sustainable development and the ways of removing these problems in achieving sustainable development. Proper population and urbanization planning and management accelerate economic growth and ensure sustainable development. But any improper planning and mismanagement in this connection create multidimensional impacts, all of which act as threat to sustainable development. So, to attain sustainable development, proper population and urbanization planning and management are essential. Key words: Population; Urbanization; Resource base; Sustainable development; Bangladesh Introduction Urbanization is a process of transformation that creates nurtures and proliferates progress and civilization. It is both, the cause and consequence of civilization. With the power of its centripetal forces the urban centers draw resources to their prosperity; on the other hand there are also centrifugal forces that operate actively to diffuse development in the undeveloped areas around urban centers. Unlike developed countries, urbanization in developing countries is not an unmixed blessing. Characteristically most developing countries suffer from the problems, like, high population growth, high unemployment and mass rural-urban migration. Currently developing countries are experiencing high rate of urbanization where rural –urban migration plays significant role. Another characteristic feature of present urban transformation is the prevalence of mass poverty in urban centers. In resource constraint countries mass poverty is a major source of environmental degradation which consequently affects sustainable development. Bangladesh is not only a developing country marked by high population growth; it is also a country with a rapid rate of urbanization. If the current level of living can not be raised within a very short time, unemployed, low-income underprivileged population will overwhelmingly dominate urban centers. Living in degraded condition, devoid of basic urban services, these urban poor will be a major source of environmental concern, which will be mounting up along with the growing level of urbanization. Since the growing ∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +88-041-721791,720171-3;Fax: +88-041-731244;e-mail:< ku@bdonline.com> DOI: https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.2000.2.2.0051-ss