I spent most of my childhood in a colony in Moghbazar. Looking back on it now, I realise that the unbridled access to nature and personal security were definitely things I took for granted. It's hard to imagine now but I did do quite a bit of frolicking with my friends within the enclosure of the colony. Then we moved to Dhanmondi.

Instead of moss-covered red brick buildings and gardens, I was suddenly surrounded by concrete, construction, and congestion. Gone were my days of frolicking. I now had to make-do with dust covered leaves and noise pollution. Balconies facing towards lush gardens were replaced by views of busy roads filled with craters and potholes.

Urban planning or architecture are concepts that my 10-year-old mind could not comprehend, but now I can fully appreciate the effect they can have on someone's quality of life. I have long adapted to the suffocation of Dhanmondi, with buildings built toe-to-toe, packed like sardines in a crushed tin can.

At this point I think my body can fully live on a healthy heaping of dust and little to no sunlight.