City profile: Narayanganj, Bangladesh

Narayanganj, contributes to the economy, employment, and export earnings of Bangladesh. Its history, natural endowments and strategic location have made it an important hub of all major knitwear, garments, and textile industries. This profile of Narayanganj reveals that, despite its good business environment and being a top destination for foreign and local investment, industrialisation has been both a boon and a bane. Population growth, rapid urbanisation and industrialisation are major challenges causing environmental deterioration and skewed land distribution, placing pressure on the social welfare of Narayanganj's residents. The newly formed city corporation faces a lack of fiscal strength that retards the overall progress of the city. This study suggests that effective monitoring of industrial activities and a comprehensive code of conduct/norms with fiscal strength to regulate the industrial sector can mitigate present injustices to make Narayanganj a more desirable and liveable city. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.