Concerned government agencies must work in a coordinated manner to properly implement the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) 2016-2035 – which aims to make Dhaka city more livable.
Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) came up with the observation along with a nine-point recommendation during a press conference held over the draft DAP 2016-2035 in Dhaka on Wednesday.
While reading out a written statement, BIP General Secretary Dr Adil Mohammed Khan said: “The concerned authorities including Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), the city corporations, and Environment Department must act in a coordinated manner since so far they haven’t paid any heed to the betterment of the region’s pollution problem.”
Adil, a faculty of Jahangirnagar University’s urban and regional planning department, criticized the role of Dhaka Wasa (Water Supply and Sewerage Authority) over the mismanagement of Dhaka’s water bodies.
He said that Dhaka Wasa is not following the DAP and it is working in its own way adding that “Dhaka’s water problems can be solved if Wasa works according to the DAP.”
All the ponds of Dhaka city should be marked and a separate map should be prepared for those for the proper and effective water retention, added Adil.
“Protection of these ponds can play a vital role in water retention, and also area-based parks, entertainment centres can be established surrounding them,” he added.
Recommendations made
While announcing the recommendations for the draft DAP 2016-2035, BIP President Prof Akter Mahmud, said: “Rajuk has to ensure that the water retention plan for the ponds of Dhaka Metropolitan Region is in tune with nature and this is mentioned in the DAP.”
“If not, the wetlands of Dhaka Metropolitan Region will get illegally occupied,” he added.
The other recommendations include, preservation of flood flow zones, reduction of mixed-use of residential and commercial spaces, stop misuse of the land laws, set up area-based urbanization standards, and proper decentralization of urban facilities.
Prof Akter, also a faculty of Jahangirnagar University, emphasized on height restrictions while establishing new buildings and suggested that multiple units be made on a single floor of buildings considering the dense population.
The BIP president said that Rajuk needs to be reformed.
Rajuk has uploaded the draft plan on its website so that different organizations, stakeholders, and individuals can submit their opinions until January 4, 2021, with suggestions, and/or concerns over the city’s future.
Dhaka Metropolitan has been extended from 1,432 sq km to 1,528 sq km in size in the new version of DAP as parts of Gazipur City corporation and Dhamsona union of Savar were added.
The draft DAP 2016-2035 also proposes land usage distribution and necessary road networks that will be built in the next 20 years.
According to Rajuk officials, the population in the DAP areas may cross 27.5 million by 2035.