Experts have said low-carbon materials are essential in Bangladesh’s housing and office construction sectors to meet growing development needs and rapid urbanization.
The issue was discussed at a workshop titled “Circularity in the Built Environment” at a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday (March 29).
The workshop focused on promoting sustainable and resource-efficient construction methods in Bangladesh. It was organized by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works with support from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat).
The initiative is being implemented under a project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, which aims to transform Bangladesh’s construction sector through the use of sustainable building materials.
Speakers stressed the need to promote circular economy principles to reduce carbon emissions, ensure efficient use of resources and accelerate climate-resilient construction practices. They said circularity has already gained popularity in the developed world.
Md Sarwar Alam, additional secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and chairman of the project’s technical committee, said: “The construction sector is one of the main drivers of Bangladesh’s development, playing a key role in housing and public infrastructure. However, it is one of the most resource-intensive sectors and has a significant impact on the environment.”
He added: “Bangladesh is undergoing rapid urbanization, and demand for construction materials will increase many times over in the coming days. If we continue construction in the conventional way, it will put enormous pressure on our natural resources and increase waste and carbon emissions.”
Referring to the fact that much of the country’s future infrastructure is yet to be built, he said this presents an opportunity to choose a sustainable and low-carbon path of development. “Circularity will help ensure proper use of materials, reduce waste and increase the durability of infrastructure,” he said.
He also said a National Green Building Certification System is being developed with support from the Housing and Building Research Institute, while the Public Works Department is working on a proposal to include low-carbon materials in its rate schedule.
Ulrich Kleppmann, head of development cooperation at the German Embassy, said: “As you know, we are facing global challenges and the construction sector plays a major role in global carbon emissions, waste generation and resource use. So moving towards circularity in the built environment is not only an environmental necessity, it is also a huge economic opportunity.”
Referring to Germany’s experience, he said: “And we have learned that the transition to a circular economy requires more than goodwill. It needs a systemic change, in the way we design infrastructure, build it, use it and recycle or regenerate our buildings.”
He said innovation, regulatory support and coordination among policymakers, private developers and academia can help create a sector that is both low-carbon and more resilient and efficient.
UNOPS Country Manager for Bangladesh and Bhutan Sudhir Muralidharan said: “Reuse is not new in Bangladesh, it is our tradition. For generations, people have shown how materials can be carefully reused. Now we need to bring that mindset into modern construction.”
He added that ageing buildings from the 1970s and 1980s will generate significant waste if not managed properly. “We see this as an opportunity, not a crisis. Through data-driven planning, reused construction materials, standards and demonstration projects, Bangladesh can turn waste into resources. Action must be taken now,” he said.
Other participants included Housing and Building Research Institute Director General Mohammad Giasuddin Haider, and senior government and private-sector officials, teachers and researchers.
Speakers said stronger coordination among the public sector, private sector and academia is needed to ensure infrastructure is sustainable and resilient. They also stressed the need for urgent action to address the environmental impact of rapid urbanization.
They said circularity can serve as a strategic path to reduce construction material use and environmental pressure. Several case studies were also presented showing how infrastructure design is changing over time and how sustainable construction is becoming possible with lower resource use.
A panel discussion titled “How Can Circular Economy Be Institutionalized in Bangladesh’s Built Environment?” was also held, with participation from RAJUK, Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and other stakeholders.
Speakers also suggested integrating low-carbon materials into the construction sector, strengthening the green building framework and aligning the sector with national climate commitments, including future Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets.
