Footpaths are an essential component of urban infrastructure, designed to provide pedestrians with a safe and convenient means of movement. In a densely populated city like Dhaka, they serve as lifelines connecting people to workplaces, schools, hospitals, and markets. However, the reality today is far from this purpose. Most footpaths are no longer spaces for walking but have transformed into hubs of unauthorized businesses. This shift not only disrupts pedestrian safety but also undermines the core function of public infrastructure meant for urban mobility and civic convenience.
Across the capital, from New Market to Gulistan and from Farmgate to Mirpur, the scenario is alarmingly similar. Footpaths are occupied by small shops, hawkers, van stands, and temporary structures. Government reports indicate that nearly 80 percent of Dhaka's sidewalks are encroached upon. What should have been safe walkways for millions have turned into overcrowded commercial strips. This widespread occupation forces pedestrians to use the main roads, resulting in severe traffic congestion and increasing the likelihood of road accidents on already chaotic city streets.
The growing occupation of footpaths is deeply linked with economic hardship. High unemployment rates and persistent poverty have pushed many low-income individuals to informal street trading as a means of survival. For them, selling goods on sidewalks is often the only available source of income. The affordability of these informal spaces attracts both vendors and customers. Thus, the economic necessity of the poor collides with the urban rights of pedestrians, creating a conflict between livelihood and legality that cannot be resolved through eviction alone.
A major cause behind the continuous encroachment is the absence of regular supervision by the concerned authorities. Both Dhaka North and South City Corporations conduct occasional drives to clear the footpaths, but the efforts lack consistency and sustainability. Once the operations end, vendors return within days. Weak coordination among municipal bodies, law enforcement, and political representatives allows the problem to persist. Without a structured monitoring system and accountability, the footpaths remain under the control of informal businesses rather than being accessible to pedestrians.
Dhaka's rapid urban growth has not been matched with sufficient market infrastructure. There are far fewer formal markets and shopping facilities compared to the city's rising population. Consequently, people rely on street vendors for daily essentials. This shortfall in planned commercial zones pushes traders to the streets. Moreover, urban development projects often ignore the necessity of pedestrian infrastructure, resulting in narrow or poorly maintained sidewalks. The absence of proper design and foresight in city planning continues to make the encroachment problem worse over time.
The occupation of footpaths directly affects the daily lives of city dwellers. Pedestrians, especially women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, are forced to walk on busy roads, exposing themselves to constant danger. School and college students face particular risks when crossing congested streets. The lack of safe pedestrian routes also contributes to traffic chaos, frequent accidents, and a general decline in the quality of urban life. What was once meant to ensure safety has now become a cause of fear and inconvenience for citizens.
Over the years, the government, through Dhaka's city corporations, RAB, and police, has conducted several eviction drives. These operations temporarily free the sidewalks, but the results are short-lived. Once the drives end, traders inevitably return due to the lack of alternative arrangements. Without proper relocation plans or livelihood opportunities, enforcement efforts become repetitive and ineffective. This cycle reflects a reactive approach rather than a proactive one. Real improvement demands coordinated planning that integrates eviction, rehabilitation, and strict monitoring simultaneously.
Several countries have successfully resolved similar challenges through innovative planning. Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea have established designated hawker centers, offering legal and hygienic spaces for vendors. India has enacted the Street Vendors Act, 2014, which licenses street traders and designates specific vending zones. These approaches protect both livelihoods and pedestrian rights. Dhaka can learn from such models by developing structured hawker markets and ensuring proper registration systems. This will help maintain order while preserving economic opportunities for vulnerable groups.
Solving Dhaka's sidewalk crisis demands long-term commitment, coordination, and inclusive urban policy. The government must integrate footpath management within its broader urban development strategy. Establishing hawker rehabilitation centers, enforcing strict zoning laws, and prioritizing pedestrian infrastructure are vital steps. Above all, social and political willingness is necessary to ensure that public spaces serve their intended purpose. A civilized city is defined not by its buildings or roads, but by the safety and dignity it ensures for pedestrians. Restoring Dhaka's footpaths means restoring the essence of an organized and humane city.
The writer is a legal researcher
