A significant milestone in shaping Bangladesh’s future was marked on Tuesday with the official launch of Next50: Collective Futures at BRAC University’s Multipurpose Hall.
This landmark publication—the largest edited volume on Bangladesh’s built environment—brings together 81 authors, including many from the Bangladeshi diaspora, to explore the nation’s next five decades of progress, innovation, and connectivity.
Spanning 49 chapters across nine major themes, the book examines urban and rural transformation, infrastructure, climate resilience, housing, governance, and technological innovation.
Written in accessible language for policymakers, practitioners, and the general public, it bridges cutting-edge research with real-world impact, making complex ideas actionable for those shaping the nation’s future.
The event was attended by some of Bangladesh’s most prominent architects, planners, and urbanists from both academia and professional practice.
The event brought together leading architects, planners, and academics, with distinguished guests including Dr Syed Ferhat Anwar, Prof Fuad H Mallick, and Naushad Chowdhury, director, Brand Marketing, Abul Khair Group, on behalf of Shah Cement, Dr Mohammed Zakiul Islam, professor at Buet, Dr Zainab Faruqui Ali, professor and chairperson, Department of Architecture, Brac University, executive editor Dr Saimum Kabir, Md Ibrahim Khalil, AGM, brand marketing, Shah Cement, Mahrukh Mohiuddin, managing director of The University Press Limited (UPL).
Adding to the discussions, key stakeholders, including representatives from Shah Cement, reflected on the private sector’s role in shaping the built environment. The event concluded with remarks from the book’s executive editors, Dr Tanzil Shafique and Dr Saimum Kabir, who emphasized the collaborative effort behind the publication and its potential to influence future policies and practices. Shah Cement also expressed interest in future collaborations.
Beyond the discussions, the launch served as a key networking platform for scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders, fostering dialogue and collaboration on the country’s long-term development.
Attendees engaged in meaningful conversations over Iftar and dinner, reinforcing the event’s role in strengthening professional and intellectual ties.
Organized by Open Studio and Context BD, with support from Shah Cement, the event also reached a wider audience through a live stream, ensuring broader engagement with the book’s mission.