Farhana Khan Lima

Impacts of Brick Industries in the City of Rajshahi, Bangladesh: a Study on the Socio-economic and Environmental Impacts Farhana Khan Lima

With the rapid urbanization and change in housing pattern, the demand of improved quality of living is increasing day by day both in urban and rural areas. This has brought a radical change in the construction practice where traditional house building materials have been replaced with brick. As a result of that, the demand for brick has given a boost to the development of brick kiln industry over the period. The city of Rajshahi is growing faster and a number of Brick Industries has been developed adjacent to the city. As a result of this, a number of problems like land degradation, soil erosion, air pollution, socio-economic impacts, health problems. The release of black smoke, dust particles, ash deposition and solid waste generation have caused health problems like coughing, bronchitis etc. Moreover, the lack of safety measures, non-provision of minimum and regular wage, exploitation of child labours etc. have raised questions about its sustainability of the brick industries. The overall issues have been a concern for the city environment and it is increasing with the time.