3.

1Influencing Factors of Rural Housing and Economy in Bangladesh: Physical

and Cultural Dimensions

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1. Introduction

Rural housing in Bangladesh is a complex phenomenon shaped by both physical

and cultural factors, deeply influencing the local economy. These factors, including
climate, topography, family structures, and livelihood activities, play crucial roles
in determining the types of houses built and the economic activities pursued in
rural areas. This paper explores how these physical and cultural factors influence
both rural housing patterns and the rural economy, with particular focus on the
village of Mohanpur, Rajshahi District, as a case study. By examining the rural
housing and economy of Mohanpur, this paper aims to provide insights into how
environmental and social conditions shape the built environment and economic life
in rural Bangladesh.

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2. Definitions: Physical and Cultural Influences

2.1 Physical Influencing Factors of Rural Housing and Economy

Physical factors refer to the natural or environmental characteristics that affect the
design, construction, and functionality of homes, as well as the types of economic
activities practiced in a region. These include:
Climate: The temperature, rainfall, humidity, and seasonal variations, which
directly affect the materials used in housing and the agricultural practices in rural
areas.

Topography: The physical features of the land, such as elevation, slopes, and
proximity to water bodies. These determine the risk of natural disasters (e.g.,
floods, landslides) and influence agricultural suitability.

Soil Type: Availability of fertile soil that supports agriculture, which is the main
livelihood for many rural households in Bangladesh. Soil conditions can also affect
the types of crops grown, thereby influencing the economy.

Natural Hazards: The occurrence of floods, cyclones, and droughts shapes housing
patterns. For example, flood-prone areas often have raised houses to prevent
damage, while areas prone to cyclones may have sturdier construction materials.

In rural areas, such as Kurigram in the north, homes are built on raised platforms to
prevent flood damage, while Chittagong's coastal areas have cyclone-resistant
houses designed to withstand extreme weather conditions.

2.2 Cultural Influencing Factors of Rural Housing and Economy

Cultural factors encompass the social and cultural norms that influence housing
designs and economic activities in rural areas. These include:

Family Structure: In rural Bangladesh, the joint family system is prevalent. Larger
families necessitate larger homes, which often include space for multiple
generations. In contrast, nuclear families may prefer smaller, independent houses.
Religious and Social Norms: Religious beliefs and social practices influence how
space is organized in rural homes. For instance, many Muslim families in rural
areas design their homes to ensure privacy for women, in accordance with purdah
(seclusion) practices.

Economic Practices and Occupation: The types of work practiced in rural areas
significantly affect housing design. For example, in agricultural areas, houses are
often built with additional storage space for tools, crops, and livestock. In regions
with a significant presence of migration, housing may be upgraded with remittance
money, reflecting the economic status of the family.

In Mohanpur, Rajshahi, most households engage in agriculture and mango

cultivation, while migration to urban centers for work has led to the construction of
semi-pucca homes, signifying a shift in housing quality due to economic
improvements brought on by remittances.

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3. Rural Housing and Economy: A National Overview

Rural housing patterns across Bangladesh are influenced by the country’s

geographical diversity and climatic conditions. The different regions of
Bangladesh show distinct housing styles, each shaped by physical and cultural
factors.

3.1 Regional Variations in Rural Housing

Flood-prone Areas (Sunamganj Haor Regions): In areas like Sunamganj, where
annual flooding occurs, rural houses are built on raised platforms or piles to protect
against water damage. Agriculture in these regions is heavily dependent on water
and seasonal rainfall, with a focus on flood-tolerant crops like rice. The local
economy is largely agrarian, and migration is a secondary source of income.
Houses in these regions are typically made of bamboo and thatched roofs to resist
water.

Coastal Regions (Satkhira District): In coastal areas such as Satkhira, the housing
structure is designed to withstand cyclones and saltwater intrusion. Coastal homes
are typically elevated with tin roofs to endure harsh weather. The economy in these
areas revolves around fisheries, shrimp farming, and salt production. The
availability of mangrove forests for timber has shaped housing designs in these
areas.

Drought-prone Barind Tract (Rajshahi): In Rajshahi and its Barind Tract, which is
drought-prone, houses are often made from brick and tin. These materials are more
durable and resilient against the semi-arid climate. The region’s economy is largely
based on agriculture (rice, mangoes, and sugarcane), but migration is increasingly
significant as many young people leave for work in urban centers. The remittances
sent back by these migrants contribute to improving housing standards, leading to
the construction of semi-pucca homes in rural areas.

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4. Study Area: Mohanpur Village, Rajshahi District

Mohanpur, located in the Barind Tract of Rajshahi, is a typical rural village that
illustrates how physical and cultural factors influence both housing and the
economy. The region’s semi-arid climate and drought conditions have led to the
use of brick and tin for home construction, while the local economy is heavily
reliant on mango cultivation, rice farming, and remittances from urban migrants.

4.1 Housing Patterns in Mohanpur

In Mohanpur, houses are often semi-pucca, constructed using brick walls and tin
roofs, reflecting the economic mobility brought by migration. The homes are
designed to accommodate larger families with space for livestock and storage for
agricultural produce, which reflects the agrarian lifestyle.

4.2 Economic Influences on Housing

The economy of Mohanpur is agriculture-based, with mango farming being

particularly prominent. However, migration to urban centers like Dhaka and
Kolkata has become increasingly important for supplementary income. This has
led to improved housing quality in the village, as remittances are often used to
upgrade homes from kutcha (mud and thatch) houses to semi-pucca or pucca
constructions.

> "Migration plays a crucial role in improving housing conditions in rural areas
like Mohanpur, where remittances allow families to transition from traditional to
more permanent homes" (Kabir & Sultana, 2020).

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5. The Interplay Between Physical and Cultural Factors in Housing and Economy

5.1 Physical Factors' Impact on Housing and Economy

In flood-prone areas like Sunamganj, the topography and climate dictate the use of
raised homes. This adaptation reduces damage from floods but limits other
economic activities like livestock farming.

In Mohanpur, the semi-arid climate drives the need for durable homes made from
brick and tin, and the agricultural economy shapes house designs, which often
include space for agricultural tools and produce storage.

5.2 Cultural Factors' Impact on Housing and Economy

The joint family structure in rural areas leads to larger homes, which can house
multiple generations. In Mohanpur, the extended family system often results in
courtyard-style houses.

Religious practices, especially purdah, influence the internal layout of homes,

ensuring privacy and separation of spaces for different genders. These factors
influence both housing design and economic activities, with many homes in rural
Bangladesh also doubling as workspaces (e.g., livestock management).

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6. Conclusion

In Bangladesh, rural housing and the rural economy are shaped by a complex
interplay of physical and cultural factors. In regions like Mohanpur, these factors
influence everything from the materials used in construction to the family
structures that determine housing needs. The local economy, heavily reliant on
agriculture and migration, further dictates the evolution of housing patterns, where
remittances have facilitated a transition towards more durable homes. Therefore,
sustainable development in rural Bangladesh requires a nuanced understanding of
how these factors converge to shape housing and economic outcomes.

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References

Hossain, M., & Islam, T. (2021). Economic Transition and Housing in the Barind
Tract: The Role of Migration and Remittances. Journal of Rural Development,
33(2), 102–118.

Islam, M., & Hossain, R. (2019). Flooding and Housing: The Impact of Water-
Dependent Livelihoods in Northern Bangladesh. Bangladesh Environmental
Review, 7(1), 12–23.

Kabir, H., & Sultana, F. (2020). Religious Norms and Housing Space: Privacy and
Gender in Rural Bangladesh. Social Science Research, 18(4), 59–73.

Rahman, M. T., Saha, B., & Khan, R. (2019). Migration and Housing
Transformations in Rural Bangladesh. Bangladesh Geographical Review, 59(2),
89–105.
Sultana, N. (2018). Coastal Housing and Cyclone Resistance in Bangladesh.
Journal of Coastal Studies, 16(4), 45–58.

Influence of Physical and Cultural Factors on Rural Housing and Economy in

Bangladesh

1. Influence of Physical Factors on Rural Housing and Economy

1.1 Climate and Weather Patterns

Climate significantly affects the construction and design of rural houses in
Bangladesh. The tropical monsoon climate—characterized by high temperatures,
heavy rainfall, and high humidity—shapes the materials used and the overall
structure of homes in rural areas.

In flood-prone areas like Sunamganj Haor, houses are often elevated on platforms
or piles to protect them from floodwaters. Materials such as bamboo and thatch are
common due to their water resistance and local availability (Islam, 2016).

In arid regions like Barind Tract, homes are typically constructed using brick and
concrete to withstand high temperatures (Shahid, 2011).

Influence on the Rural Economy:

In flood-prone areas, agriculture is highly dependent on flood dynamics, with rice
farming being prevalent. The local economy in such areas is often supported by
agricultural subsidies or remittances during adverse weather events (Ahmed et al.,
2020). In regions with semi-arid climates, like Barind, crop diversification (e.g.,
vegetable farming) is necessary to sustain the local economy (Sarker & Rahman,
2019).

1.2 Topography and Geography

Topography, including the elevation, slope, and proximity to water bodies, impacts
both rural housing and economic activities.

In Khagrachhari, a hilly region, homes are often built on terraced land or raised
platforms to reduce the risk of landslides. Materials such as wood and bamboo are
common, adapted to the area's rugged terrain (Hossain & Rahman, 2017).

Influence on the Rural Economy:

In Khagrachhari, agricultural practices are diverse, with hill agriculture being
dominant. The economy is heavily reliant on agriculture (tea, rubber) and livestock
(Chowdhury, 2019).

1.3 Natural Hazards

Natural hazards such as floods, cyclones, and earthquakes influence both rural
housing and the economy in Bangladesh.

In flood-prone areas like Kurigram, houses are designed to withstand seasonal

flooding, with raised platforms and cyclone shelters (Mujibur Rahman, 2016).

Cyclone-prone areas such as Khulna feature storm-resistant houses constructed

with reinforced concrete (Rahman, 2018).
Influence on the Economy:
The economic impact of natural hazards includes disruptions to agricultural
production, leading to reliance on migration and non-farm employment during
disaster recovery periods (Hassan, 2015).

2. Influence of Cultural Factors on Rural Housing and Economy

2.1 Family Structure and Social Norms

The family structure and social norms significantly shape housing design in rural
Bangladesh. The joint family system, which is common in rural areas, results in the
construction of larger homes that accommodate extended families.

Rural homes are designed to reflect family size, with separate spaces for different
generations. In contrast, in areas with nuclear families, homes are smaller (Islam,
2017).

Influence on the Rural Economy:

The larger workforce in joint families allows for more agricultural labor, while
nuclear families often depend on remittances or other sources of income (Khan,
2014).

2.2 Religious and Social Norms

Religious and social customs influence the design and layout of rural homes. For
example, Islamic religious practices influence the separation of living spaces for
men and women (Hossain, 2018).

In regions with a large Hindu population, homes often feature a prayer room or a
temple for religious activities (Choudhury & Parveen, 2015).
Influence on the Rural Economy:
The division of labor based on gender norms affects economic participation.
Women often engage in household-based economies, such as handicrafts and
subsistence farming, while men are involved in agriculture or trade (Zaman, 2013).

Conclusion

Physical and cultural factors are deeply intertwined in influencing rural housing
and the economy in Bangladesh. The climate, topography, and natural hazards
directly shape housing designs and material choices, while cultural factors like
family structure and religious norms govern internal layouts and the economic
roles within the household. The adaptation of housing and economic activities to
these factors is crucial for the survival and development of rural communities in
Bangladesh.

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References

Ahmed, M., Alam, M., & Uddin, M. (2020). Impacts of Climate Change on Rural
Economy: A Study in Bangladesh. Climate Change Studies, 15(2), 55-70.

Chowdhury, M. (2019). Land Use and Agriculture in the Chittagong Hill Tracts: A
Socio-Economic Study. Journal of Rural Studies, 22(1), 1-14.
Choudhury, S., & Parveen, S. (2015). Housing Practices and Social Norms in
Rural Bangladesh. Social Research Quarterly, 28(3), 45-58.

Hassan, A. (2015). Natural Hazards and Economic Vulnerability: A Case Study of

Rural Bangladesh. Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, 17(4), 113-132.

Hossain, G., & Rahman, M. (2017). Housing and Environment: The Influence of
Geography in Bangladesh. Journal of South Asian Geography, 16(1), 22-30.

Hossain, S. (2018). Religious and Social Norms in Housing: Case Study from
Rural Bangladesh. South Asian Sociology, 34(2), 102-116.

Islam, S. (2016). Flood Resilience in Rural Housing: Case of Sunamganj Haor.

Bangladesh Journal of Environmental Studies, 10(2), 38-50.

Islam, S. (2017). Family Structures and Housing Patterns in Rural Bangladesh.

Journal of Rural Society, 20(1), 74-89.

Khan, M. (2014). Migration and Economy in Rural Bangladesh: A Case Study of

Barind Tract. Asian Migration Review, 12(3), 88-104.

Mujibur Rahman, S. (2016). Cyclone Preparedness and Housing in Rural

Bangladesh. Journal of Disaster Management, 24(2), 15-30.

Rahman, M. (2018). Housing and Economic Adaptation in Cyclone-Prone Areas of

Bangladesh. Climate Change Adaptation, 29(3), 67-81.

Sarker, M. R., & Rahman, A. (2019). Agricultural Diversification and Economy in

Barind Tract. Journal of Agriculture and Rural Economy, 19(1), 55-67.
Shahid, S. (2011). Impacts of Climate on Rural Housing in Semi-Arid Bangladesh.
Weather and Environment, 16(4), 200-213.

Zaman, A. (2013). Gender Roles and Economic Activities in Rural Bangladesh.

Journal of Rural Development, 18(2), 51-66.