Assessing residential housing rents in Sylhet metropolitan city, Bangladesh: does environmental quality and energy security matter?

Bangladesh, which experienced rapid urbanization with the urban population increased from 5% to 42% between 1972 and 2023, faces significant challenges in its housing market. Sylhet, a key urban center, has undergone rapid economic transformation, accompanied by environmental degradation, energy crisis, and rising housing rents. This study examines the determinants of residential housing rents in the Sylhet Metropolitan City through a clustered sample survey of 405 households and utilizing ordinary least square and quantile regression methods. The findings highlight that environmental conditions such as green space, flood risks, landfills, air, and noise pollution, as well as energy security, significantly influence housing rents when controlling for landlord and renter characteristics, building amenities, neighborhood features, and compliance. The study recommends adopting sustainable urban development strategies, including investments in green infrastructure, improved drainage systems, and the enforcement of environmental laws and regulations to rejuvenate environmental quality. Additionally, promoting renewable energy adoption and expanding natural gas supply grids for cooking from door to door would ensure stable and affordable energy access, ultimately fostering resilient urban communities and advancing sustainability, livability, and inclusive development.