Migratory Patterns, Urbanization and the Changing Lifestyle of the People of Bangladesh

Migration and urbanization are happening in different regions of the world from a very early stage. People are migrating for various causes and as an effect, lifestyles are changing constantly and rapid urbanization is continuous in developing countries. Different sociologists and social scientists are researching the cause and effect of migration in the context of developing countries. There are various opinions in different schools of thought. Migration patterns of the people of certain countries or regions can build certain social networks in another region. There are some changing patterns in the migration process, and it may cause some changes in the patterns of the recent social networks of the people of a certain area. After all these variations, there might be some changes in various factors which may have an impact on the lifestyle and the environment of the people living there. This study will try to find the effects and impacts of the migratory patterns of the people of Bangladesh. Continuous urbanization and changes in the socio-economic condition of the people, which is happening as a result of the developing migratory patterns and how this process changes the daily lifestyles of the people of Bangladesh are other findings of the study. The study will also attempt to gather key insights into the neighborhood environment factors in the findings.

Migration and the resulting lifestyle changes, along with consequent urbanization, are not new phenomena. The processes of migration have been ongoing since the dawn of human societies, with continuous migration driving urbanization, particularly in developing countries. Various sociologists have examined urbanization and its impact on social networks, each presenting their very own perspectives. The transition from traditional and rural communities to urban and industrial societies has been explored through different theoretical frameworks, from Ferdinand Tonnies and Max Weber to Émile Durkheim's concept of mechanical solidarity and Georg Simmel's analysis of metropolitan life. Migration is the shifting of people from one place to another, whether it is temporary or permanent, due to various factors. The trends and frequencies of how people are moving from place to place mainly indicate the patterns of migration. Due to the shift in the trend of migration, urbanization is happening differently. Urbanization is the transformation of rural areas into urban ones and it is backed by different sociological, economic and other factors. The mode of living with certain standards, attitudes and economic levels is the lifestyle of a certain person. Rapid urbanization has an impact on the changing lifestyle of the people of the place. Shifting to other occupations, living in other conditions and the changes in social behavior around the society has always influenced people to change their lifestyle according to that particular society. Different society has different patterns of changes due to migration. Rapid transportation these days and the fast-paced lifestyle of the people has made the whole process much more obvious. 

Researchers have been studying the whole phenomenon of migrations, the changing patterns and the urbanization happening due to it for a very long time. Changing lifestyle is also a part of the shifting from one place to another. Different societies have taken the effect differently and studies have been conducted based on various theories given by different sociologists and social scientists. Ferdinand Tonnies theory mainly observes the transition from Gemeinschaft to Gesellschaft (Community & Society) which is mainly the change from rural communities to urban and industrial ones due to different factors. His concept has served as a foundational framework for distinguishing between rural and urban adaptations, offering a lens through which social scientists analyze societal essences. Nottridge (1972) contends that Gemeinschaft relationships thrive within family units, kinship circles, and close-knit friendships among neighbors who live and collaborate intimately. Gold (1982) builds upon Tönnies' assertions, suggesting that Gemeinschaft relationships, rooted in a "natural will," embody deep warmth and satisfaction, predominantly manifesting in peasant and agricultural communities. In contrast, Gesellschaft relationships, bound by contracts rather than intrinsic will, tend to foster impersonal connections, creating a sense of isolation, tension, and conflict. Gold implies that these impersonal relationships typify modern urban life, projecting an increase in dominance as urbanization progresses, eventually supplanting Gemeinschaft relationships. Simmel (1950) delineated fundamental facets of urban life shaping human behavior. Simmel argued that this psychological maneuver was crucial for urban dwellers to safeguard their mental equilibrium amidst the city's frenetic pace. Secondly, he underscored the predominant influence of cost on human motivations within the urban landscape. Simmel is widely known for his work on the social network approach and he was the first to identify social interaction as the basic structure of sociology (Personal Network, 2021). Max Weber envisioned the city as a complex and systematic entity, a vibrant hub where diverse social actions, relations, and institutions interplay (Camic et al., 2005). He saw cities as cosmopolitan centers accommodating various individual lifestyles within a unified community. In Weber's view, a city's social structure allows for unparalleled individuality and uniqueness, fostering diverse occurrences and encouraging innovation. As cities serve as a platform for a diversified lifestyle, emphasizing individuality and nurturing social changes, Weber proposed the pattern of urban life was a phenomenon unique to the West due to the rationalization but it lacked in the East due to the social structure.

Conducting research requires a systematic approach to collect and analyze data. Choosing the appropriate method is also a fundamental aspect of the research. The choice of methodology depends on the nature and scope of the study as well as the type of information required. While some studies rely on a single method, others use various techniques and tools to ensure a more detailed analysis. To study the urbanization process, it followed the techniques of the survey method. The major focus of the survey method is to present an objective and empirical explanation of society and its members. Some secondary data were also collected from various sources including different websites, government reports, and data. A household census survey has been conducted to gather some basic data on the demographic and socio-economic condition of the population of the study area. The sampling method is used to generalize and select a representative number of the population. A detailed questionnaire was constructed on the socio-economic background of the respondents, migration patterns, neighborhood conditions and social networks. Both open-ended and close-ended structured questions were included in the questionnaire. After finalizing questionnaire, it was pretested by interviewing a few of the respondents of the study area. Data for the present study was collected through personal interviews with the selected respondents. There were both open-ended & close-ended questions and those were recorded manually. Most of the respondents belonged to the middle class. In the daytime, they remained busy with their business. Some problems occurred in receiving their responses on some sensitive issues like economic conditions, savings etc. After collecting the field data these were scrutinized and processed systematically in line with the objectives of the study. It was done manually. The analysis was done after getting the survey results as a whole. There might be some limitations in questioning the survey of the people. There is also a slight chance of interpretational biases in this regard. Some statistical tools were used to interpret the data and analyzed it properly. 

Objectives of the Research

The following are the objectives of this study:

To study the factors of various socio-economic conditions of the people including educational and employment status, income and lifestyle changes;

To study the pattern of migration focusing on the reasons, trends and destinations behind the shifting;

To study the changing pattern of social networks, changes after digital integration and how relationships and support systems evolve;

To study the neighborhood environment and the factors that influence migration, urbanization and lifestyle changes. 

Scope of the Study

This study mainly revolves around the dynamics of the migrations, changing urbanization and the impact on the people’s evolving lifestyles especially in the context of a developed country like Bangladesh. It has emphasized different reasons for migrations, people’s causes and effects of the changing patterns of migration, their perspective towards the shift in society and lifestyles and how they are perceiving it. The research also intends to investigate the evolving patterns in migratory processes, deducing their consequences for social networks in certain areas. Additionally, it attempts to examine the ensuing effects on other aspects, such as Bangladesh's socio-economic problems and environmental issues. The study also attempts to find relatable insights into the factors of neighborhood environments and shed light on the lifestyle transformation of migratory people. 

World Urbanization and Different Approaches of Urbanization

Urbanization in a developing country is a greater factor than most other developmental issues. Though the process of urbanization can be found all over the world, the trends and patterns of the process are not the same in every country (Elliott, 2021). Industrialization and urbanization are not the same in developed and developing countries in terms of speed and planning. The process of urbanization is growing very rapidly in Bangladesh (Rana et al., 2011). The natural increase in urban population, high birth rate and low mortality rates are impacting the issue of rural-urban migration. The second influencing factor is the economic disparities between the living styles of urban and rural areas. Urbanization usually occurs in a planned way but due to the overpopulation and the rapid differences in the lifestyle factors, the process is not implemented in a planned way. The main three approaches to urbanization include: Over Urbanization- It occurs when the growth of urbanization becomes greater than the infrastructure, services and resources of a particular country (Timberlake, 2019). Firstly, the main economic and developed cities of the country faced immense pressure for the accommodation, training, education and lifestyle of the people living there. It can happen for various factors. Living conditions, advantages of living in the urban areas, and different living facilities are the core factors for the over urbanization. Over-urbanization has a negative impact on the overall development of a city. Various steps should be implemented to tackle the problem. Secondly, Incomplete Urbanization- It occurs when the urban development of a country doesn’t get the full potential benefits of proper urbanization and lacks the resources of the process. It can happen due to various factors which include the incomplete infrastructure and housing shortages in society, differences in the economic factors in different classes of people in the cities and rural areas and also some environmental issues have a direct connection with the geo-political issues and mentality of the people who are living there. Finally, De Urbanization- De Urbanization happens when the urban areas face a decline in population and there is an increase in the economic and infrastructure development in the rural areas (Sadri et al., 2018). It is the inverse of the regular urbanization. This process has a big impact on the environment (Frey, 2021). This can happen either due to the higher rate of development in the rural area or to the decline in the traditional industries in the urban area.

Urbanization and Migration in the Context of Bangladesh

As Bangladesh is a third-world country and is developing in terms of resources and infrastructure, the pattern of urbanization in this country is different from the other developed countries. Capitalism and other different western factors are missing here and economic disparity, infrastructure deficiencies, political system etc. are important barriers to developing Western urbanization in this country.

Historically, during the colonial era, cities primarily served as administrative hubs, facilitating control by British rulers. In the era of neocolonialism, urbanization is driven by Western economic dominance, shaping the urban landscape of developing nations (Spence et al., 2008). However, this trend of urbanization doesn't align proportionately with the industrial development of these countries, leading to challenges. Over-urbanization arises when urban areas fail to provide essential facilities to their growing populations.

Multiple variables impact migration. First, the biological dimension takes age and health into account. Second, interactions between communities and social norms are part of the socio-cultural component. Thirdly, anxieties and motives are included in the psychological dimension. Finally, the aspect of migratory experiences that people have describes the difficulties and adjustments they have had to make (Ishtiaque et al., 2013). These factors work together to influence choices as well as experiences related to migration.

Looking specifically at Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, its evolution as an urban center span various historical period. During Muslim rule, Dhaka thrived as a consumer city, attracting diverse occupational groups (Kabir et al., 2012). Under the Mughal period, Dhaka gained prominence as a capital, but its status diminished when the capital shifted to Murshidabad. The British colonial period saw Dhaka develop into a primate city, serving as an administrative nucleus. In the contemporary phase of neocolonial influence, Dhaka emerges as a focal point for Western investments, akin to other developing cities undergoing similar transformations. In recent years, Dhaka has served as the principal hub of different growing companies and industries. People couldn’t but come to Dhaka for their professions and work. Migration is not only occurring in Dhaka but also in the other big cities in Bangladesh where the economic condition is thriving. It is a matter of concern that only those cities are developing but the other places from where the migration is happening cannot move like them and constantly lag and people from those underdeveloped places have to come to these thriving cities which is making a cycle and the over urbanization is occurring at a rapid pace. Urbanization in Bangladesh reflects a historical trajectory influenced by different ruling powers, shifting capitals, and economic priorities. However, challenges persist, with urban centers struggling to meet the needs of burgeoning populations, underscoring the complexities and impacts of urbanization on the nation's development.

Findings

The study finds insights that mostly describe the changing patterns, trends, and urbanization in the context of Bangladesh. The changing lifestyle is very clear from the study.  From the research survey, information was analyzed and relevant information was extracted from there. The information is all from the survey done in Rajshahi city. 180 respondents were surveyed.  The respondents migrated from different parts of Bangladesh. But usually, they migrated from the Northern part of Bangladesh. Few of them are the original inhabitants of this city. Most of the respondents migrated to this city motivated by their relatives. The cause of migration is mainly for the job which consisted of around 91.43% of the respondents and the left others are mainly for education of the children and business. This describes the reasons and the patterns of migration in that area. 

The respondent has been living in this neighborhood for several years. But they still maintain a good connection with rural areas. Most of the respondents visit rural areas frequently. Similarly, they are frequently visited by rural guests. They send money to the family members who are living in the villages. Sometimes they receive food items in rural areas. This way they maintain rural linkage. Though it is a sub-urban area of Rajshahi few respondents are living in this environment for more than 10 years. They are closely related to one another. There are 25.71% of the people who have lived there for more than 19 years and 14.29 % have lived there for 7-9 years. The relationship among family members is very close. Both blood and affinal relatives are important to them. They seek help from both of them. Both relatives play an important role in making family decisions. Blood-related family members are a major source of inspiration for migration. Around 40% of the total migrated after getting inspiration from them and their friends. People in that area lived in harmony not even depending on who are migrated and who are not. In a few cases, the respondent seeks help from the administration. This neighborhood can be called an integrated neighborhood.

The nuclear family form is predominant in this neighborhood. Though all of them prefer to live in a nuclear family, a few of them have to live in extended families. The depth of social networks varies from one respondent to another. The length of residence is positively correlated with social networks. The social network of the Respondents who migrated before has a wider relationship than the migrants who recently migrated to this neighborhood. District of origin also plays an important role in social networks. Yet, neighborhoods and occupations also play important roles in social networks. These are the factors of the socio-economic conditions of that area.

Like other cities in developing countries, there is a peculiarity in the process of urbanization of this city. Though the number of populations is increasing very rapidly, the quality of life is changing very slowly. In very few cases the urban dwellers can perfectly acquire urban values. Most of the urban dwellers possess both values of Gemeinschaft (rural) and Gemeinschaft (urban) settlements.

Bangladesh, a developing country, has struggled in recent decades with a sharp increase in its urban population. Alongside this wave of urbanization has been a continuous rise in the number of migrants fleeing the many problems that are common in rural regions. People from rural origins have been forced to migrate to urban centers in search of better opportunities, mostly due to socioeconomic structural challenges, unemployment, poverty, and natural catastrophes. The need to adjust to a new and sometimes unfamiliar metropolitan environment presents difficulties for migrants making the move from country to urban living. This is how the change is happening. To get a developed and peaceful life people are shifting and taking steps to make their lives a bit better. These all factors contribute to the changes in society.