Speakers at an event titled Somosamoik Porikolpona Bhabna (contemporary plans and thoughts) an urban development discussion stressed on engaging all stakeholders for a sustainable urban development of Dhaka moving ahead, on Thursday.
Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) organized the event at their office in Dhaka to mark the World Town Planning Day.
Addressing the seminar as chief guest, Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, economist and policy maker, underscored the need of devising skill development plans, saying: “There has to be a philosophy to this end else all efforts and plans (for urban development) will bear no fruits.”
Zillur Rahman said that unfortunately most urban development plans are not designed for the greater good; but for personal interest and most do not fulfill their purpose because of a lack of accountability.
Hasina Moshrefa from Brac’s Urban Development Program identified unchecked rural migration to the cities as great challenge for well-planned urbanization.
“City mayors have must be given more responsibility for urban planning. Respective city corporations must be tasked with development activities,” she said stressing on the forming a ministry for urban affairs.
BIP President AKM Abul Kalam said: “We must proceed with a well-thought-out plan and get our priorities straight,” adding that there is a need for effective and coordinated effort by the government and stakeholders.
Amitosh Pal, president of City Development Journalist Forum, Bangladesh that urban development must be made thinking 50 years ahead.
“Dhaka would not have made it in the list of most polluted and unlivable cities if its urban planning had been made with the future in mind.”
