Abstract:
Housing problem in the urban areas of Bangladesh is a common problem like most of
developing countries of the world. Dhaka has more population than it can
accommodate the housing situation. Rapid urbanization and poor economy followed
by inequitable distribution resources have created serious housing problems. Dhaka is
experiencing rapid population growth. The availability of facilities compared to other
urban centers made Dhaka very attractive to all people. Investments made in housing
are also highly profitable in Dhaka compared 10 any other cities and toWllSof
Bangladesh. But it does not cope with rapidly increasing population and resources to
provide (he required essential services amI facilities. As a result serious problem have
emerged over the years regarding housing provision and other related services for the
city dwellers particularly fur middle-income people.
Due to the enormous population growth in Dhaka in the past decades, it is almost
'impossiblc on the part of the government to ensure honsing fur all. As public sector
failed to ensure their right, people themselves have taken initiative to ensure their
fundamental need of shelter. The Formal Private Sector Housing that constitutes Real
Estate developers has evolved to quench the ever-increlll'ing thirst of people fur
shelter.
In order to meet the ever-increasing demand for residential accommodation in the
limited land of Dhaka the construction of apartment buildings was a natural and
viable solution with natural consequences. In our country, real estate business started
in Dhaka in late seventies. In 2006 there are about 250 companies engaged in this
business in Dhaka and Chittagong also. From the early 1980s the business has started
to flourish and in 1990s it reached its highest point. Towards the end of year 2000
there was slight downfall in real estate sectot. Now in 2005 this sector is again
showing growth. At the beginning most of the developers aimed to cater the upper
income group oflbe socicty. But recently the private bousing eompanies also started
to construct apartment fur the middle-income people who are the largest segment of
population (about 50 percent) of Dhaka city.
The major focuses of this research arc: (i) to investigate the issues related with
housing standard expected by the middle-income group. (ii) to study the affordability
ofthc middle-income group to meet the bousing cost. About ISO-questionnairesurvey
have been conducted in four different middle-income arellSof Dhaka to collect socioeconomic
and demographic data. The developers were also inlerviewed to understand
their perspective on middle-income group and their housing demand. Present cost of
per sq. feet space, amount of booking and down payment money is not affordable by
the middle class people of Dhaka city. The loan scheme and installment procedure
also do not appropriate for the targe! group. The study also shown some measures by
which cxisting housing market can fulfill the expectation of the middle class people.
