More than three-quarters of voters in Bangladesh continue to equate development with visible infrastructure such as roads, bridges and culverts, along with employment generation, reflecting a narrow understanding of progress that could undermine sustainable and green development, according to a new survey by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
The study finds that although environmental awareness among voters is rising, a significant gap persists between voter expectations and political parties' priorities -- particularly in areas such as clean energy, governance reform and social inclusion.
The think tank recommended that political parties integrate clearer, locally relevant green policies into their programmes, strengthen local government capacity, and align development promises with the lived environmental realities of voters.
The findings were unveiled at a media briefing titled "Scenario and expectations of a green sustainable economy in constituencies: findings from candidate and voter surveys" at the BRAC Centre Inn in the capital's Mohakhali on Saturday.
Presenting the survey, CPD Research Director Khondaker Golam Moazzem said 76.7 per cent of voters associate development primarily with the construction of roads and bridges, while 77.1 per cent believe development means ensuring employment for all.
"The dominance of infrastructure in public perception shows that electoral politics remains anchored in conventional development narratives, despite growing awareness of environmental and social challenges," he said.
The survey covered 1,200 voters and 450 political candidates or party representatives across 150 environmentally vulnerable constituencies, analysing perceptions across three dimensions -- environment, green economy and social development.
The study found that the infrastructure-centric perception of development is particularly strong in urban and climate-vulnerable regions.
Nearly 86 per cent of urban voters link development with roads and bridges, with the figure rising further in coastal, hill and ecologically stressed areas.
Party representatives were found to hold broadly similar views, although some demonstrated a relatively broader understanding of development that includes human capital and social indicators.
CPD Senior Research Associate Helen Mashiat said that while infrastructure and employment remain central to voters' thinking, such a one-dimensional perception could marginalise critical issues such as sustainable development, environmental protection and climate adaptation.
"Development discussions must move beyond roads and jobs to include education, healthcare, environmental sustainability and quality of life," she said.
Despite the dominance of traditional development narratives, the survey indicates rising environmental consciousness among voters. Around 95 per cent of respondents expressed optimism about the possibility of building a green society in Bangladesh. However, both voters and candidates tend to favour simple, easily achievable solutions to environmental problems.
Nearly 61 per cent of voters identified tree plantation and reducing plastic use as key measures to protect the environment -- a view echoed by political candidates.
Researchers noted a disconnect between the severity of environmental challenges and the solutions proposed.
While air pollution, rising temperatures, flooding, and cyclones were identified as major concerns -- particularly in climate hotspot regions -- there was limited focus on structural reforms such as emissions control, fossil fuel phase-out, and energy transition.
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