The Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (Rehab) voiced its demand at a press conference in Dhaka.

Rehab President MA Awal said, "We welcome the new Dhaka Metropolitan Building Construction Rules 2006 as it features some positive sides, but a misunderstanding has arisen because the old one --House Building Act 1996-- is still in operation and huge people are intended to built their houses under the old one."

The new law, published in a gazette notification on August 23, 2006, withdrew restrictions on constructing more than six- story buildings in the city for residential purpose.

As per this law, anyone will now be able to construct their houses as they wish, but it will not be applicable for the Nikunju (South) residential area because that area is located under air funnel.

The developers told the press conference that if everybody abides by the new law, minimum 50 per cent places of the city should be kept outside the construction activities and if possible then 70 per cent, which will not affect construction of more flats in high-rise buildings by the house owners.

They, however, expressed their doubt about the effectiveness of the new law as huge applications were submitted to the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) following the old law, validity of which would remain until January 31, 2007.

Awal said, "If everyone follows the old law, the new law will not come into effect".

He suggested settlement of a considerable number of applications, now remain pending, within the period of the validity of the old law, because no new application will be accepted for permission from now on.

This is for the first time in Bangladesh the building code has incorporated a provision 'Floor Area Ratio', a ratio of space should be kept vacant compared to the space on which a building has been constructed, with a view to expediting the planned urbanisation.

The Rehab president said with the implementation of this new law the small plot owners will not be affected anyway, rather it will help them in different ways as people are now allowed to construct high-rise buildings.

Rehab General Secretary Tanvirul Huq, Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa), Bangladesh Institute of Planners President Taufiq M. Shiraj, Centre for Urban Studies Chairman Professor Nazrul Islam, architects Khadem Ali and Iqbal Habib also addressed the press conference.

"Due to unplanned urbanisation, the entire Dhaka City has been turned into a concrete jungle. If the current trend of construction activities continues for another fifteen to twenty years, it will be difficult for us to live here," said Professor Nazrul Islam.

Minimum 50 per cent places of the city should be kept outside the construction activities and if possible then 70 per cent, which does not affect the house owners, added Nazrul.

The existing rule has allowed the land owners to construct buildings on the whole portion of land city without keeping a vacant space, but with the increasing number of population it has become impossible to provide gas, electricity, water connection and other infrastructure facilities, commented Nazrul Islam.

Addressing the press conference, Abdullah Abu Sayeed said, "The buildings constructed over the years cannot follow the new rule now. When it will be damaged in future they will plan to construct new building, they will have to follow the new procedure."

He said as per the new law, a City Development Committee will be formed comprising civil society, environmentalist and government officials, which will monitor the implementation of the law.

He, however, showed his disappointment to those officials of Rajuk who are patronising the land owners to pass their home plans under the old act.

Sayeed said, "If everyone comes forward to follow the new law, the city will become a garden with in few years."