Dhaka rooftops © Tasfiq Mahmood
The Migrants on the margins team have presented their findings at a stakeholder meeting with local community groups in Dhaka.
Focusing on the research done in the city, Meraz Mostafa, from the International Centre for Climate Change and Development, presented the key findings from the over 1,000 household surveys and multiple in depth interviews conducted in three neighbourhoods in Dhaka between 2017 and 2018. Meraz highlighted that although most people were satisfied with their decision to move to the city and just under half were optimistic about their future, the research found that half of respondents felt that their movements were constrained and when they did move it was a result of forced eviction.
The efforts by governments and NGOs to improve conditions in these low-income neighbourhoods was also noted as being uneven, with policymakers concerned that improvements to these areas would result in more people moving into the city. Likewise, those living in the neighbourhoods were concerned that improvements would result in them being evicted. However, Meraz argued that enlightened policy can actually ease these concerns for both parties and help improve the situation for all.
The Migrants on the margins team will be presenting their research at various meetings and conferences in the study cities over the course of the year.
Find out more about our field research programme Migrants on the margins.