A report by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners at its seminar on Saturday is clear in its conclusion that the splitting of Dhaka City Corporation into two bodies has failed to deliver any significant improvements for the capital.
The study’s concerns resonate strongly with those expressed at Engage Dhaka 2015, the 3 day international conference on architecture this week, which highlighted the enormous damage being done to the capital’s environment and water systems by uncontrolled development.
Speaking about the latter, the state minister for power, energy and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid, himself a real estate developer, warned of the risks inherent in many ongoing schemes and lamented the failure of authorities to safeguard the Buriganga river.
It is abundantly clear why Dhaka needs a major overhaul to improve its livability and quality of life. Poor infrastructure and transport congestion are major blights on the ability of the city to develop coherently and undermine its ability to attract investment.
The government urgently needs to develop a strong vision based on improving access to housing and transport, to help facilitate major improvements.
There is no shortage of good ideas, such as reviving a circular waterway for the city, available. What is lacking is proper accountability to citizens.
The two city corporations, beset by complacency and corruption, are being allowed to get away without properly managing even basic tasks, such as ensuring waste disposal or protecting public parks.
Mayoral elections should be scheduled so that Dhaka’s citizens can hold them to account. This is the only way to ensure services improve and a better vision for the city can be implemented by planners.
