Why does Dhaka Need Eco-friendly Real Estate Development?

Walk through Dhaka on any given day and it’s impossible to ignore what the city is going through. The streets are packed, the air feels heavy, and new buildings seem to rise overnight. Behind the noise and chaos, something deeper is happening. Something that cuts to the core of how we live, breathe, and build our future. Real estate development in Dhaka has boomed over the past two decades. Buildings are going up fast but the way these buildings are rising, most of the cases it is out of sync with the very environment we depend on. In most cases, these developments aren't kind to the earth or people and definitely aren’t thinking about the generations coming after us. It’s time to pause and rethink. To reimagine how we build, not just more buildings, but a livable, breathable city. It’s time we rethink real estate through an eco-friendly lens. Sheltech (Pvt.) Ltd. is building sustainable urban cities in Bangladesh for decades, in alignment to achieve sustainable development goal (SDG) 2030.

Here’s why that matters more now than ever:

1. Environmental Degradation and Air Pollution

The air quality of Dhaka city ranks among the worst in the world. Some days, just stepping outside feels like breathing in exhaust fumes. Construction dust fills the air, diesel-powered trucks clog the roads, and development keeps pushing forward with little thought to the environmental cost. This isn’t just about air quality statistics. It’s about people with asthma, children to seniors all struggling to breathe and families living in homes that are slowly making them sick. Eco-friendly buildings can be part of the solution. With materials that emit less pollution, better insulation, and smarter, greener designs, these structures actually help improve the air around them.

2. Waterlogging

Every year, Dhaka floods. Waterlogging has become the burden of monsoon. Streets turn into rivers, cars stall, homes fill with water, and life grinds to a halt. But it’s not just the rain. The real issue is that  the paved over wetlands, filled in canals, and blocked the city’s natural drainage systems with numerous unplanned construction. Eco-conscious development understands this and it doesn’t fight against nature. That means designing buildings that include rainwater harvesting systems, green rooftops to soak up rainfall, and layouts that let water flow instead of getting stuck. Organizations like Sheltech (Pvt) Ltd. believe when we respect the land, the land respects us back.

3.  Energy Consumption

Bangladesh faces growing electricity demand, and Dhaka’s real estate sector puts enormous pressure on the national grid. Many buildings rely heavily on air conditioners, water pumps, and artificial lighting just to stay livable. And all of that burns through electricity we don’t always have. Poor insulation, bad ventilation, and old-school construction waste energy.

Energy-efficient buildings, rooftop solar, and smart energy management systems reduce demand and lower operational costs.

4. Community Wellbeing

A concrete jungle with no trees, no planned air-flow, and no peace. That’s the reality for many parts of Dhaka. We’re building fast, but we’re not building well. And people are paying the price with their health, their mental well-being, and their quality of life. Biophilic design, access to green space, and healthy materials lead to better physical and mental health outcomes. Eco-friendly development focuses on bringing green back with trees, plants, open spaces, and natural light that make a real difference in how people feel in their homes and communities. Sheltech successfully developed engaging community ideas through projects like Sheltech Windflower, Sheltech Enclave Tower and Sheltech Bithika. 

5. Climate Change

Climate Change isn’t coming, It’s already here in Dhaka. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rain, flash floods, it's all happening now. If our buildings aren’t made to handle these changes, they’ll become unlivable in the near future. Eco-friendly real estate means climate-resilient construction: better drainage, cooler buildings, and materials that can withstand extreme weather. 

6. The Myth of Eco-Friendly Building

One of the biggest barriers to green building in Dhaka is a persistent myth that eco-friendly means costly. But the truth is the opposite. It is true that the upfront costs of green technology and materials might be slightly higher, but the long-term savings are substantial. Lower electricity and water bills, fewer maintenance headaches, and greater durability all translate into real financial benefits. As demand for sustainable housing grows, these homes hold better value in the market. They sell faster, and often, at a better price.

Eco-friendly real estate is no longer a luxury. It’s what cities like Dhaka & Chattogram need to breathe, grow, and thrive in the years ahead. It starts with the choices we make today, how we build, what we build, and who we build for. Sheltech has been practicing to develop the eco-friendly structures for a sustainable Bangladesh.