Social Capital and Livelihood Resilience in Urban Slums of Dhaka City, Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Rapid urbanization in Bangladesh has accelerated the growth of informal settlements where residents face persistent poverty, insecure employment, inadequate housing, and limited access to essential services. Despite these constraints, social capital remains a critical resource for strengthening livelihood resilience among urban slum communities.
Objective: This study explores how different forms of social capital contribute to enhancing the livelihood resilience of slum dwellers in Dhaka City, Bangladesh.
Methods: A qualitative research design was employed in two major urban slums—Korail and Kamrangirchar. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 20 purposively selected participants and supplemented by field observations. The interview data were transcribed, translated, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis framework.
Results: The findings indicate that bonding social capital, particularly support from family members, relatives, and neighbors, plays a vital role in helping households cope with financial hardship, food insecurity, health emergencies, and other livelihood shocks. Trust, reciprocity, informal borrowing, and mutual assistance emerged as key mechanisms for sustaining daily livelihoods. However, bridging and linking social capital remained weak because of limited participation in community organizations, weak relationships with local leaders, and inadequate institutional support. Structural challenges, including poor housing, inadequate sanitation, insecure employment, and restricted access to healthcare and public services, continued to undermine long-term livelihood resilience.
Conclusions: Social capital significantly enhances the adaptive capacity of urban slum dwellers but cannot independently overcome structural poverty. Strengthening community networks alongside improved institutional support, vocational training, employment opportunities, and access to quality housing, healthcare, water, and sanitation is essential for promoting sustainable livelihood resilience and inclusive urban development in Bangladesh.

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