As the role of the cities has gained currency in the sustainability discourse since 1990s, improvement of livability has been emphasized alongside with environmental conservation to enhance urban sustainability. Many developed countries increase urban density purposely to pursue better livability and environmental sustainability. Contrarily, cities in the developing countries densify haphazardly without any policy directives. Dhaka is a case in point. The goal of this pioneering study is to formulate recommendations for improving Dhaka’s planning system and policy in order to enhance its livability, by investigating the livability of Dhaka’s dense urban neighborhoods. To achieve this goal, this study addresses three research questions: what are the density attributes of Dhaka; how livable is Dhaka’s urban neighborhoods under a dense environment; and how have the urban planning system and policy influenced the density of Dhaka? The literature related to density, livability and sustainable urban forms was reviewed to establish the analytical framework. To examine the density attributes, this study investigated population density, building density and housing form mix. For the livability of the dense neighborhoods, it investigated public facilities and services provision, and the sense of community and safety. Further, the planning strategy, land use planning, planning and building regulations and land policy were examined to identify their influence on density and livability. Five neighborhoods from the planned and unplanned areas were selected for case studies, involving a questionnaire survey, interviews, field observation and documentary analysis. This study found that as a low-rise city, Dhaka’s extremely high density implies a very compact urban form. The planned areas are of relatively lower population density but have taller buildings and greater distance between buildings than in the unplanned areas. High density was also found in congruence with the Bangladeshi culture. Across the neighborhoods, the community facilities, safety and dwelling space standards were satisfactory. However, the provision of and accessibility to public transport, open space and sense of community were less satisfactory. The neighborhoods of the planned areas were more livable. Nonetheless, in the neighborhoods of the unplanned areas, the greater use of street corners fostered social contacts and safety feeling. The absence of density zoning and land subdivision controls, the ineffective land use planning mechanism, violation of the planning standards and building regulations have led to uncontrolled population growth exceeding infrastructure capacity. The lack of planning vision and the weak institutional capacity of the planning authority mainly accounted for these problems. This study recommends introducing land subdivision restrictions, density zoning, and scientific designation and formulation of land use zones. Strengthening of the institutional capacity of the planning authority is also important for enabling effective enforcement of planning tools, regulations and standards. By comparing the planned and unplanned areas, this study also recommends that planning and building controls should be effectively enforced to ensure greater distance between buildings. Open spaces should also be located within walking distance and more street corners should be planned to enhance the sense of community and safety. / published_or_final_version / Urban Planning and Design / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Increasingly, where, how and when growth occurs has far reaching consequences for the health of the city and planet. In the past, many growth decisions have been made at the local level largely within land use terms. In today's highly interrelated and ever-expanding urban regions, it is recognized that these decisions must be made in a more comprehensive and consistent intergovernmental manner if the long-term health of all communities is to be protected. The planning structures as defined by the legislative and governance frameworks that are in place in many cities often do not address the need for improved growth management. Some state/provincial governments are taking an active role in determining the regional and local planning framework in which the management of growth takes place. In Canada, many of the initiatives are a refinement of existing planning legislation and regional governance structures. In the United States, many of the initiatives are the result of growth management legislation. This study explores the positive and negative attributes of Ontario's Planning Act and Washington State's Growth Management Act with respect to adoption and implementation of a regional growth strategy in the Greater Toronto Area and the Central Puget Sound Area and in facilitating or challenging the efforts of the cities of Toronto and Seattle in realizing their growth goals and objectives. Data sources for this study were libraries, government offices, and individuals active in municipal and intergovernmental relations. The focus of the data search was to determine what were the major urban issues facing Toronto and Seattle and whether the planning system was designed to provide effective solutions and expand their capacities to create the results they desire. The study contends that planning legislation can play an effective role in growth management if it embodies three essential characteristics. Firstly, it must facilitate the adoption and implementation of robust official or comprehensive plans. The plans must contain clear goals about the distribution, location and quality of future growth and explicitly detail the steps required to reach these goals. While the plans produced must integrate all planning functions related to the use of land to allow the development of cities that are economically, socially and environmentally balanced, the integration of land use and transportation planning is a prerequisite of effective growth management. Secondly, the local official or comprehensive plans that are adopted must be tied to a regional plan that expresses the collective aspirations and responsibilities of the various cities that constitute today's city-regions. The actions of local as well as senior governments must be consistent with the vision and policies contained in the regional plan. Thirdly, the legislation must be effective in promoting the development of intergovernmental planning relationships that allow all parties to continually learn and act strategically to realize the local and regional visions. The implementation of the plans is particularly dependent on the development of complementary governance and financial arrangements.

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