Dhaka, Jan. 1 -- Walking through the streets of Gulshan, Banani, or Dhanmondi in Dhaka, it is easy to imagine that the city has joined the ranks of global metropolises. Sleek shopping malls, international brands, trendy cafes, and luxury boutiques give the impression of a cosmopolitan urban life. Shoppers with designer bags, smartphones in hand, and expensive cars parked outside suggest a lifestyle that seems aspirational and modern. Yet, for the majority of Dhaka's residents, this image of modernity is distant and largely inaccessible. Only a tiny elite participates in these consumption spaces, while the rest of the city navigates daily life shaped by affordability, necessity, and traditional markets.

Arjun Appadurai's concept of 'scape...