Greening to Earn: Vertical Gardens as Employment Pathways in Dhaka's Air-Polluted Informal Settlements.

Dhaka faces a severe environmental and livelihood crisis due to rapid urbanization. The city’s air quality index (AQI) averages 159 to 186, with PM2.5 concentrations of 67 to 124 µg/m³, which are 6 to 10 times the WHO thresholds, and contributing to escalating respiratory disease, cardiovascular mortality, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Simultaneously, urban greenery has declined by 56% (19892020), while informal settlements housing 40% of Dhaka’s population possess virtually almost zero green space (around 5% in Old Dhaka; 0% in slums), despite housing 400,000 climate migrants annually and generating 40-60 % household income deficits. This research addresses a critical gap: How can vertical green infrastructure (green roofs, vertical gardens, pocket parks) be designed, implemented, and maintained within informal settlements to simultaneously improve air quality, reduce urban heat island effect, and generate sustainable livelihoods? Employing secondary data synthesis integrating international case studies, peer-reviewed literature, and policy frameworks, this study identifies successful models including Singapore’s Skyrise Greenery Incentive Scheme (100+ hectares of rooftop gardens), Rio de Janeiro’s Green Roof Favela project (40% temperature reduction; youth employment in maintenance), and Brazil’s community garden model (food security and income generation). Key findings indicate that well-designed green infrastructure generates co-benefits: temperature reduction up to 3-5°C, stormwater retention (50-79%), and employment opportunities in installation, seedling cultivation, and maintenance. Secondary data reveal that community-led, low-cost vertical solutions using native species are scalable and sustainable. Policy implications include: (1) Municipal budgetary allocation for slum greening, (2) Participatory planning frameworks linking green infrastructure to livelihood security, (3) Government incentive schemes for adoption, (4) Workforce training programs, and (5) Tenure security provisions preventing post-upgrade displacement. This research provides evidence for integrating nature-based solutions with livelihood inclusion in achieving SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 8 (Decent Work) in low-income urban communities.