The World Bank has advised Bangladesh to focus on a more sustainable way of urban development across the country, through planned construction of necessary infrastructure and services.
Qimiao Fan, the World Bank's country director for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, made the comment on Saturday, while addressing the opening session of a two-day conference titled -- “Building Knowledge, Networks and Partnerships for Sustainable Urban Development in Bangladesh.”
He added that the cities were the engines of growth, but rapid and unplanned urbanisation prevented them from realising their full potentials.
“To become an upper middle-income country by its 50th birthday, Bangladesh must engage in sustainable urbanisation,” he added.
The World Bank top official also expressed a keen interest in working as a long term development partner with Bangladesh.
According to a statement given out by the international financial institution at the conference, about 54 million people in Bangladesh are living in the cities and the number will be doubled by the next 35 years.
One-fifth of urban dwellers currently live in poverty in Bangladesh, the statement read.
It also said most of the cities and municipalities offer inadequate infrastructures and provide poor urban services.
The World Bank added that Bangladesh needs to increase spending for the local infrastructures.
World Bank, in cooperation with Municipal Association of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Institute of Planners, Institute of Architects, Bangladesh and Institute of Engineers of Bangladesh jointly organised the conference at a city hotel on Saturday.
Speaker of the parliament Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon were among others who addressed to the programme.
More than 300 mayors from all over Bangladesh and across the globe, urban planners and professionals attended the conference.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
