Housing Affordability and Prototype Solutions for Middle-Income Group of Savar, Bangladesh

Abstract

Addressing the housing needs of the middle class has been a key focus of national initiatives in emerging nations like Bangladesh. With a substantial portion of the population being middle-income individuals, this issue is particularly pressing, especially in various parts of the capital city of Dhaka. However, the area of Savar is notable for its high population of factory workers within the middle-income bracket, where housing affordability is a major concern. Surprisingly, this issue has remained largely unnoticed. To address this, an on-field investigation and survey were conducted to assess the affordability scenario. The application of the Price to Income Ratio (PIR) tool facilitated a numerical assessment of the situation. The findings reveal a significant gap between housing demand and supply, with most available options being unaffordable for the target group. Therefore, this research aims to identify potential solutions within the affordability range of the middle-income group, including exploring modular housing options as a cost-effective and flexible approach to meet their needs and offer a viable path toward improved living conditions for the target demographic, and to spark further investigations into the topic.