Dhaka, the heart of Bangladesh, has long been burdened by excessive population density. The capital concentrates nearly everything at once — administration, education, business, healthcare and many other essential services. Alongside this concentration, Dhaka has also had to endure chronic traffic congestion, housing shortages and, most seriously, environmental pollution.

This raises a fundamental question: can Dhaka be decentralised? Can the capital be freed from this persistent disorder? More importantly, can Bangladesh build a new urban economy outside Dhaka?

The answer is yes. Dhaka can be decentralised, and relieving the capital of these mounting pressures is essential for the country’s long-term development.

A number of leading urban experts in Bangladesh have warned that if decentralisation does not begin soon, the country will face significant economic losses in the years ahead. They argue that excessive concentration in Dhaka has already begun to erode productivity. Not only is productivity falling, but vast amounts of time are also being lost every day, adding to the suffering of citizens. The overall quality of urban life is deteriorating as well.

A smart city cannot be defined merely by the number of high-rise buildings or flyovers it has. A truly smart city is one where people can live easily, safely and in an environmentally sound setting. In this regard, planning must be the first priority.

To build a new urban economy, policymakers must look far beyond housing alone. New urban centres must also include schools, colleges, hospitals, community centres, shopping facilities, corporate office space, playgrounds and recreation areas. These are the services that continue to draw people to Dhaka. If such facilities become widely available outside the capital, fewer people will feel compelled to move to an increasingly expensive and overcrowded city. That, in turn, would reduce pressure on Dhaka.

Transport must be the second major priority. Alongside better infrastructure, Bangladesh needs to improve overall mobility. One of Dhaka’s biggest weaknesses is poor last-mile connectivity. New cities should therefore be designed with modern roads, efficient bus systems, rapid transit, walkable streets and proper traffic management supported by skilled and well-trained traffic police. If these elements are built into urban planning from the outset, such centres will be far more attractive to both residents and investors.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has already spoken of the need to develop satellite cities outside the capital, underlining the importance of this model. He has said that to reduce pressure on Dhaka, employment, education and urban services must be decentralised and taken closer to people so they are no longer forced to migrate to the capital.

Following this approach, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet — along with areas closer to Dhaka such as Gazipur, Narayanganj and even Mymensingh — could be developed as new economic clusters. Urbanisation in these centres can also be based on themes, such as industrial zones, IT parks, education cities and medical cities. Such an approach would help build a more diversified and multidimensional economy.

The third priority must be green development. A smart city must be environmentally sustainable; otherwise, it will not remain viable in the long run. Any new urban centre in Bangladesh must therefore include green infrastructure. This should involve waste recycling systems, smart drainage, urban forests, rooftop solar power, rainwater harvesting, preserved water bodies, electric public transport and green belts.

These measures would not only protect the environment but also create the basis for a new green economy. They could generate employment in renewable energy, waste management, urban farming and climate-resilient construction. Green development, therefore, should not be treated as an optional add-on. It must be seen as an integral part of the urban economy.

However, a smart city cannot be created by political declaration alone. Governance and decentralisation remain the biggest challenges. Local government institutions must be empowered first. Without that, new urban centres will struggle to function effectively. If people can access quality education, healthcare and employment in their own regions, many of them will choose to stay there instead of moving to Dhaka and making the capital even more crowded.

Bangladesh’s future economic stability depends on building viable alternative cities equipped with the core features of smart urban life. A smart city must combine green development, technology, sound planning and a high quality of life. If Bangladesh can ensure proper planning, strong local administration, green infrastructure and decentralised employment, then building a new urban civilisation outside Dhaka is not only possible, but necessary.