The interaction between physical space and way of life in low-income settlements : case of bustees and resettlement camps in Dhaka

The last two decades of the twentieth century have witnessed fundamental changes in our way of life. This change is due to the economic and political restructuring on a global scale that has left hardly any single nation untouched. One of the major impacts of globalization is the rapid urbanization and the uneven development experienced in the form of mega-cities. The study illustrates the interaction between the way of life of the inhabitants in lowincome settlements and physical spaces in one of the mega-cities, Dhaka. The factors that affect the physical organization of spaces and its quality are evaluated with respect to the survival strategy of the low-income dwellers. In this respect, the physical characteristics of three types of low-income settlements in Dhaka are investigated; namely resettlement camps, legal bustees and illegal bustees. Besides the housing and neighborhood characteristics, the economic, social and cultural status of people living in those areas are examined by means of questionnaires, in depth interviews and personal observation. The questionnaires aim to evaluate the daily interaction of people with public and private spaces. The differences observed in the characteristics and quality of spaces in those settlements occupied by people with similar backgrounds give us the chance to analyze the factors, which may account for these differences.