Exploring the livelihood pattern of the floating population using the SL framework: a case study of metropolitan Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

This study explores the livelihood pattern of the ‘floating population’ in metropolitan Dhaka, Bangladesh by using the Sustainable Livelihood (SL) framework. Data were collected by applying a mixed-method approach consisting of a semi-structured questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and qualitative observations. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used for presenting the findings of this study. The findings reveal that the survival of the floating population depends on a complex fusion of coping and adaptation measures based on their social relations, communal living, and mental strength. While their livelihood pattern is sustainable to some extent in the social context, it is economically, politically, and environmentally unsustainable. The study identifies the absence of appropriate institutional arrangements as a major constraint in ensuring the sustainability of their livelihood pattern. This study finally offers policy suggestions and advocates further scrutiny of this limitedly investigated subject in the research and policy domain.

Keywords:

• Floating population
• urban poverty
• livelihoods
• sustainable livelihood framework

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all the respondents for dedicating their time to this research. The authors also want to express their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Taiabur Rahman, Professor, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka, for his valuable advice and enthusiastic guidance to design the research work at the initial stage. Finally, the authors are also thankful to Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan, Professor, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka, for providing valuable suggestions regarding the publication process.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Notes

1 Household Registration system in China is termed as ‘hukou’ (Shen and Huang 2003; Zhu and Chen 2009).

2 This definition matches the definition of homelessness [Category 1—Subcategory 1(a) and 1(d)] under the ‘global homelessness framework’ proposed by Busch-Geertsema, Culhane, and Fitzpatrick (2016).

3 International poverty line is calculated as 61.6 in Bangladeshi Taka (2016) or USD 1.90 (2011 PPP) per day per capita (WB 2020).

4 LMIC poverty line is calculated as 103.7 in Bangladeshi Taka (2016) or USD 3.20 (2011 PPP) per day per capita (WB 2020).

5 UMIC poverty line is calculated as 178.2 in Bangladeshi Taka (2016) or USD 5.50 (2011 PPP) per day per capita (WB 2020).

6 This programme is run by Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) since 1999 and is strongly supported by the government to encourage people living in slums to return to their native villages by offering loans for income-generating activities in the rural areas (Nawaz 2004).

7 A project to address the difficulties of the floating population in Dhaka and Chittagong in Bangladesh which is being jointly run by the SAJIDA Foundation, CONCERN Worldwide Bangladesh, and UNDP.

8 Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life (FAO 2003). 

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tanjila Afrin

Tanjila Afrin is a lecturer at the Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Bangladesh University of Professionals. Her research focuses on natural resource management, climate change, poverty and inequality, livelihoods, and governance.

Mohammad Saeed Islam

Mohammad Saeed Islam is a lecturer at the Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Bangladesh University of Professionals. His areas of research interest are natural resource management, water security, sustainable livelihoods, and contemporary development issues.