Smart city push: Can urban economies grow beyond Dhaka? Dhaka, the heart of Bangladesh, has long been burdened by excessive population density. The capital concentrates nearly everything at once — administration, education, business, healthcare and many other essential services. Alongside this concentration, Dhaka has also had to endure chronic traffic congestion, housing shortages and, most seriously, environmental pollution. This raises a fundamental question: can Dhaka be decentralised? Can the capital be freed from this persistent disorder? More importantly, can Bangladesh build a new urban economy outside Dhaka? The answer is yes. Dhaka can be decentralised, and relieving the capital of these mounting pressures is essential for the country's long-term development. A number of leading urban experts in Bangladesh have warned that if decentralisation does not begin soon, the country will face significant economic losses in the years ahead. They argue that excessive concentration in Dhaka has already begun to erode productivity. Not only is productivity falling, but vast amounts of time are also being lost every day, adding to the suffering of citizens. The overall quality of urban life is deteriorating as well. A smart city cannot be defined merely by the number of high-rise buildings or flyovers it has. A truly smart city is one where people can live easily, safely and in an environmentally sound setting. In this regard, planning must be the first priority. To build a new urban economy, policymakers must look far beyond housing alone. New urban centres must also include schools, colleges, hospitals, community centres, shopping facilities, corporate office space, playgrounds and recreation areas. These are the services that continue to draw people to Dhaka. If such facilities become widely available outside the capital, fewer people will feel compelled to move to an increasingly expensive and overcrowded city. That, in turn, would reduce pressure