Architects and urban planners expressed concern about the beautification works done by the Dhaka City Corporation saying the materials which city authority use in the facelift of the capital are substandard.
Urging the two city corporations to take measures so that the capital looks green, the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB), professional organisation for architects in the country, said the city corporation mainly use glazed tiles, bricks, and stone in beautification works.
As the ICC T20 World Cup is near, the city corporation has started face lifting in some areas of the city where it is only using glazed tiles.
The professional body said these tiles were not sustainable and also reflecting bad taste of the city to the outer world.
The IAB demanded an immediate stoppage to the wastage of government’s fund in the name of beautification.
It also called upon the government to form an advisory body with representatives from professional bodies to make the city beautiful in an artistic way.
On January 19, the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved Tk115 crore to make the city look better before the international cricket tournament.
The Local Government Division is implementing the project with Tk92 crore from the government’s funds and rest of the amount from the Dhaka North City Corporation’s fund.
Under the project, the city corporation has started beautification on some roads of the city near Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium and Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Besides, the two city corporations and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police are also recovering footpaths from grabbers to ensure smooth traffic movement.
Mamnoon Murshed Chowdhury, assistant general secretary of the IAB, told the Dhaka Tribune: “The city corporation’s non- professionals made designs for the beautification ahead of the ICC World Cup.”
“They are using tiles which are generally used in toilets and kitchens and such designs would damage the image of the country as players and guests will visit the country during the T20 World Cup,” he added.
Professor Nazrul Islam, chairman of Centre for Urban Studies, echoed the same words.
He said the two city corporations should individually form advisory committees by architects, urban planners and art experts.
“Though the city corporations have architects and urban planning department, most of them are inexperienced. So, they do not make appropriate plans for the city,” he said.
Professor Nazrul Islam said the Dhaka North City Corporation should take sustainable plan for the ongoing beautification project ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup.
Contacted, Brigadier General Md Abul Khair, chief engineer of the DNCC, differed to the opinion of the IAB.
He said: “We are the city authority and we also have consultants. We have already appointed three architects to make plans for the beautification project.”
“We will be implementing the project following the architects’ design,” he added.
Mohammad Sirajul Islam, chief urban planner of the Dhaka South City Corporation, said: “I do not accept the observation of the IAB. We always do beautification works according to experts’ design.” He said the city corporation always gave priority on greenery.
“We have used quality tiles in every murals and walls. The IAB has given general comments, but did not give any specific example,” he added.