The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), based in London, has been publishing the Global Livability Index for 173 cities worldwide. Since 2015, this report has evaluated quality of life based on five criteria: stability, healthcare, culture-environment, education, and infrastructure. The Global Livability Index is out of 100 points. Cities scoring higher are ranked higher in the list. In the 2024 Livability Index, Dhaka is ranked sixth from the bottom, which is a matter of concern for the citizens of Bangladesh. On the other hand, Vienna, the capital of Austria, has topped the list of livable cities for the third consecutive time with a score of 98.4, followed by Copenhagen, Denmark (98), and Zurich, Switzerland (97.1). Dhaka ranks above only five cities: Damascus, Syria (30.7), Tripoli, Libya (40.1), Algiers, Algeria (42), Lagos, Nigeria (42.2), and Karachi, Pakistan (42.7). War-torn Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, is three positions ahead of Dhaka at 165th, with a score of 44.5, despite continuous missile and drone attacks since 2021.

In the 2024 Livability Index, Dhaka's position has dropped by two places compared to the previous year, moving from 166th to 168th. In this index, Dhaka scored 50 in stability, 41.7 in healthcare, 40.5 in culture and environment, 66.7 in education, and 26.8 in infrastructure. In the five criteria used to measure livability, Dhaka's position remains the same in all except education. Analysts suggest that maintaining the same score over the years is akin to deterioration.

Observing the Livability Index over the past several years, it becomes clear that the primary reason for Dhaka's two-place drop in 2024 is the decline in the quality of education. In 2023, the score for education was 75, which has dropped to 66.7 in 2024. While scores in other criteria have remained the same, the decline in education has mainly caused the drop in ranking this year. A significant reason behind this decline in education is the lack of sufficient quality educational institutions. Over the past few decades, new quality institutions like Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, Notre Dame College, Adamjee Cantonment Public School, Milestone College, and Rajuk Uttara Model College have not emerged. Additionally, there is a notable lack of quality medical education institutions like Dhaka Medical College, Suhrawardy Medical College, Salimullah Medical College, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Although many private medical institutions have been established, they are both expensive and often do not provide satisfactory education.

Along with adequate medical education, there is also a shortage of sufficient healthcare services, which is why Dhaka's score in healthcare has not yet surpassed 50, currently standing at 41.7, the same as last year and lower than in previous years (29.2). During various natural disasters and pandemics, the shortcomings in Dhaka's healthcare system are evident. The excessive population in Dhaka, insufficient government healthcare services, and expensive private healthcare contribute significantly to this low score in the healthcare sector.

Stability in Dhaka has always been a challenging aspect in the Global Livability Index. High crime rates, political instability, and the threat of terrorism negatively impact the stability score. The crime rate in Dhaka is relatively high, which lowers the stability score. Strikes, protests, labor movements, and student movements also affect the stability score. Improvements in these areas could enhance Dhaka's stability in the Global Livability Index.

Bangladesh's position in the culture and environment sector is also very weak. For the past three years, the score has remained the same at 40.5. Dhaka is one of the most populous cities in the world. While the city is considered the economic, social, and cultural center of Bangladesh, rapid urbanization, unplanned development, and the impact of climate change have turned it into a disaster hotspot. Dhaka has a population density of 45,000 people per square kilometer. According to the 'Macro Trends Metro Area Ranking-2023', Dhaka is the fourth most densely populated city in the world. Climate change is increasing flood and waterlogging issues in Dhaka. Due to the lack of sufficient drainage systems for rainwater, even a little rain causes flooding. Especially during the rainy season, low-lying areas in Dhaka suffer from waterlogging. Despite having four rivers around Dhaka - Buriganga, Shitalakshya, Turag, and Balu - the reckless encroachment, poor planning, and mismanagement have brought our capital to the brink of disaster. Another effect of climate change is the rising temperature in Dhaka. According to the report of Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), the highest average temperature recorded in 2024 was 44°C in Uttara Sector-13, and the lowest average temperature was 34°C in Naya Paltan. Besides climate change, unplanned urbanization, lack of coordination among various city agencies, and poor environmental management are major contributors to the rising temperature in Dhaka. Alongside the rising temperature, air pollution is also increasing in Dhaka. According to the World Air Quality Report-2023, Bangladesh topped the list of air pollution, and Dhaka was the second most polluted city globally. CAPS research indicates that 30% of air pollution comes from road digging and construction, 29% from brick kilns and industries, 15% from vehicles, 9.5% from transboundary air pollution, 8.5% from household or cooking stove activities, and 8% from waste burning.

In terms of livability, Bangladesh's overall score is 43. Specifically, Bangladesh scored 26.8 out of 100 in infrastructure. In 2019, Bangladesh also scored 26.8 in infrastructure. Although there have been slight variations in other indices, Bangladesh has consistently scored the same in infrastructure. Even Karachi, which ranks below Bangladesh in livability, scored 51.8 in infrastructure. There is weak oversight and accountability among the agencies responsible for providing services in Dhaka. Despite costly development projects, Dhaka remains lagging in livability. The balance between civic amenities and population density cannot be maintained. Dhaka's unlivable condition and unsustainable development projects are burdensome for the entire country. There is a lack of effective implementation of the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) and other laws in Dhaka. The infrastructure being built does not meet planning standards.

Public transportation is essential for a livable city. Over the past decade, the number of vehicles in Dhaka has increased by 300%, but the road network has not expanded. Despite the government's focus on infrastructure, it has failed to bring order to public transportation. The government is held hostage by bus owners. According to a BUET study, the average speed of vehicles during peak times in Dhaka is 4.8 kilometers per hour, slower than an average person's walking speed (5 km/h). BUET's Accident Research Institute (ARI) reports that traffic congestion in Dhaka wastes approximately 5 million working hours daily, costing around 37,000 crore takas annually, equivalent to one-twentieth of the national budget. To save the city, an improved public transportation system must be implemented. However, stakeholders show more interest in mega projects, resulting in an ineffective sustainable public transportation system in Dhaka. The agencies responsible for providing services in Dhaka lack accountability. They do not provide answers as to why we are falling behind. Bangladesh's infrastructure sector is performing extremely poorly. The city lacks a proper public transportation system, and the buses are often overcrowded and unsafe. Given the current situation, significant improvement in livability is unlikely in the near future.

The unlikability of Dhaka is largely due to the lack of coordination among approximately 30 to 40 agencies, including RAJUK (Capital Development Authority), Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation, Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited, and Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA). Corruption in urban agencies, weak freedom of expression, and the need for citizens to protest for their rights all contribute to low livability. The Elevated Expressway, meant to bypass the city, is instead causing destruction. Shahbagh Children's Park has been closed for years. Without good governance, infrastructure alone will not improve livability. Establishing the rule of law can lead to some improvement in livability.

Vienna has topped the list of the world's most livable cities for the third consecutive time, scoring 98.4 out of 100. It is not possible to make Dhaka's position equivalent to Vienna overnight. However, with political will, reducing the influx of people to Dhaka, identifying the reasons for Dhaka's low ranking, and formulating effective plans and sustainable development activities, it is possible to improve Dhaka's position in the index.

To improve Dhaka's livability index, some effective steps can be taken, such as improving road infrastructure and implementing an effective traffic control system, taking effective measures to control smoke from industries and vehicles, increasing green spaces, improving drainage systems, adopting sustainable waste management practices, taking effective measures to prevent waterlogging, improving the quality of services in government hospitals, and reducing the costs of private healthcare, increasing the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies, and ensuring the safety of citizens.

Improving Dhaka's livability index requires a collective effort. Through effective government measures, citizen awareness, and planned development, Dhaka can be transformed into a livable city. To enhance Dhaka's position in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Global Livability Ranking and for our own sake, we all need to work together to make Dhaka a beautiful and livable city.

Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Dean, Faculty of Science, Professor, Dept. of Environmental Science, Stamford University Bangladesh, Joint Secretary, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) and Chairman, Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS).