By Leeds Journal Staff Writer
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is more than just a bustling South Asian metropolis. It is a city of extremes — where historic heritage meets rapid modernisation, where economic growth thrives amid urban challenges, and where resilience defines everyday life.
In recent months, Dhaka has been trending in UK news searches, driven by stories of climate resilience, garment industry shifts, and growing diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and the UK.
As one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, Dhaka’s evolution holds global relevance — from trade and migration to sustainability and geopolitics. But beyond the headlines, Dhaka tells a deeper story of progress, perseverance, and promise.
Dhaka: A City Built on Resilience
Dhaka’s roots stretch back over 400 years, once serving as a Mughal trading centre. Today, it has grown into a megacity of over 23 million people. Yet, despite its crowded streets and infrastructural challenges, the city embodies resilience.
According to the World Bank, Dhaka contributes nearly 40% of Bangladesh’s GDP, making it one of South Asia’s most important economic hubs. Its rapid growth has made it both a model and a warning for developing urban centres worldwide.
While the city grapples with congestion and air pollution, its resilience lies in its people — millions who continue to build lives, businesses, and dreams within its vibrant chaos.
Dhaka’s Economic Powerhouse: The Garment Industry
The global fashion industry owes much to Dhaka. As the world’s second-largest exporter of ready-made garments after China, Bangladesh — with Dhaka as its industrial core — plays a critical role in supplying major UK and European brands.
Factories across Dhaka employ around 4.4 million workers, most of whom are women. This industry has lifted millions out of poverty, transforming the nation’s economic landscape. However, the sector continues to evolve under global scrutiny.
Following the Rana Plaza tragedy in 2013, which shocked international audiences, major reforms were introduced to improve factory safety and workers’ rights. British retailers such as Marks & Spencer and Primark have since strengthened their ethical sourcing standards.
The UK remains one of Bangladesh’s largest garment trade partners, with exports valued at £3.2 billion in 2024, according to UK government trade data. Dhaka’s industrial resilience ensures that despite global economic slowdowns, production continues — albeit with increasing calls for sustainability.
Urban Challenges: The Cost of Growth
Dhaka’s rapid expansion comes with significant challenges. Traffic congestion is legendary, often ranked among the world’s worst. The Average Travel Time Index for Dhaka in 2024 stood at 2.6, meaning a 30-minute journey elsewhere can take over an hour here.
Urban planners struggle to keep pace with population growth. The city’s infrastructure — from waste management to public transport — is under constant strain. Waterlogging during monsoon seasons remains a recurring nightmare, despite recent drainage improvements.
Yet, amid the chaos, innovation thrives. The Dhaka Metro Rail, launched in phases since 2022, has already eased pressure on major routes. According to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, daily ridership exceeded 250,000 passengers by late 2024.
This project, inspired by models from Tokyo and London, shows how Dhaka is looking outward — learning from other global capitals to solve homegrown problems.
Climate Change: Dhaka on the Frontline
Dhaka is on the front line of climate change. Rising sea levels, flooding, and rural displacement continue to push people towards the capital. The UN estimates that over 500,000 climate migrants arrive in Dhaka each year from coastal regions affected by salinity and flooding.
The result is a city under immense pressure to accommodate millions. Informal settlements, often lacking basic sanitation and healthcare, highlight the urgent need for sustainable planning.
However, there are rays of hope. The Dhaka North City Corporation has launched green infrastructure projects, including rooftop gardens and solar-powered streetlights. British agencies, including the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, have also supported Dhaka’s renewable transition through climate resilience partnerships.
This collaboration reflects growing UK interest in supporting sustainable urban development in South Asia — a relationship that aligns with broader UK-Bangladesh diplomatic goals.
UK–Bangladesh Relations: Trade, Migration, and Shared Futures
The UK and Bangladesh share a long-standing connection that extends beyond trade. Over 600,000 British Bangladeshis, many of whom trace their roots to Sylhet and Dhaka, form one of the UK’s most vibrant diaspora communities.
In recent years, bilateral ties have deepened. The UK–Bangladesh Strategic Dialogue held in 2024 reaffirmed commitments to trade, education, and climate cooperation. The UK also continues to support Bangladesh’s ambitions to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2026.
Dhaka’s universities have strengthened academic collaborations with institutions like University College London and University of Leeds, with joint research on sustainable architecture and climate adaptation.
This growing partnership underlines the mutual benefits of collaboration between a historic global power and a rising South Asian economy.
A City in Transition: From Rickshaws to Smart Tech
For decades, Dhaka was defined by its colourful rickshaws — symbols of its chaotic charm. But the city is rapidly embracing technology.
Mobile banking platforms like bKash have revolutionised finance, giving millions access to digital payments. Start-ups in Dhaka’s “Silicon Square” district are developing apps for transport, e-commerce, and education, attracting international investors from the UK and beyond.
The government’s Smart Bangladesh 2041 Vision aims to transform Dhaka into a fully digital, sustainable, and globally connected capital. With AI-driven traffic systems and renewable energy projects, Dhaka’s tech future looks promising.
Interestingly, the city’s digital transformation mirrors global discussions about AI and governance, such as those involving international figures like Donald Trump — whose recent mugshot became one of the most-searched topics online — showcasing how digital imagery and identity politics now shape world narratives.
Dhaka’s Culture: Chaos, Colours, and Creativity
Beyond its economy and politics, Dhaka is a city of stories. From the narrow alleys of Old Dhaka to the modern skyline of Gulshan, the city’s cultural heartbeat never fades.
Festivals like Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year) turn the streets into seas of colour and song. Street food vendors sell everything from spicy fuchka to sweet rasgulla, capturing the essence of Bangladeshi hospitality.
The city’s art scene is thriving too. The Dhaka Art Summit attracts global artists and curators, while emerging filmmakers are gaining recognition at international film festivals.
Dhaka’s creative pulse also resonates with the global fascination for complex public figures and scandals — such as the Matt Hancock affair — showing how human stories transcend borders, connecting audiences through emotion and curiosity.
Climate and The Met Office Connection
As Dhaka faces extreme heatwaves and unpredictable rainfall, British institutions like The Met Office have collaborated with Bangladeshi meteorologists to improve forecasting systems.
This partnership helps millions prepare for floods and cyclones, saving lives and strengthening UK–Bangladesh scientific cooperation. Dhaka’s adoption of early-warning models mirrors Britain’s weather preparedness strategies — a powerful example of how shared expertise can build resilience in both hemispheres.
Regional Politics and Dhaka’s Growing Diplomatic Role
Dhaka’s political influence in South Asia is growing. It maintains balanced relations with India and China, while also emerging as a mediator in regional trade talks.
Bangladesh’s strong GDP growth — around 6.2% in 2024, according to the IMF — gives Dhaka increasing leverage in the region’s economic landscape.
Observers note that Dhaka’s diplomatic agility resembles Malta’s evolving international role, as seen in stories like Muscat, where governance and transparency dominate headlines.
For the UK, Dhaka’s stability is vital. The city’s growing influence in shipping, textiles, and regional peacekeeping aligns with British economic and security interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
Human Rights and Global Accountability
Dhaka has made progress in reducing poverty and improving gender equality, yet human rights challenges persist. Reports of labour unrest, political restrictions, and media suppression draw criticism from international observers.
The UK continues to advocate for press freedom and ethical governance, consistent with its global stance on justice — themes often reflected in high-profile cases like Nikolas Cruz, where moral accountability and legal process intersect in the global public eye.
These debates remind readers that Dhaka’s development must go hand in hand with transparency and human rights reform.
FAQs: Understanding Dhaka
1. Why is Dhaka trending in the UK?
Dhaka has been in UK news due to climate partnerships, trade talks, and migration stories involving the British Bangladeshi community.
2. What makes Dhaka economically important?
It is the industrial heart of Bangladesh, driving garment exports and contributing almost 40% of the national GDP.
3. How is Dhaka addressing climate change?
Through renewable energy projects, green infrastructure, and partnerships with UK agencies to enhance climate resilience.
4. What is the UK’s role in Dhaka’s development?
The UK supports Bangladesh through trade, education, and environmental collaboration, helping Dhaka evolve sustainably.
5. Is Dhaka a safe city to visit?
Like any major city, Dhaka has areas requiring caution, but hospitality remains one of its defining features. With proper planning, it offers an enriching cultural experience.
Final Thoughts
Dhaka is a city of contrasts — ancient yet modern, chaotic yet resilient, burdened yet brimming with hope.
As the capital of a rising economy and a hub of climate resilience, Dhaka’s future matters not just to Bangladesh but to the world.
For the UK, Dhaka is more than a trading partner. It represents shared history, evolving cooperation, and a glimpse into how two nations — one steeped in legacy, the other in potential — can shape a sustainable and inclusive future together.
