They also stressed the need for formulating a national policy to control unplanned urbanisation.

Edited by Dr Sarwar Jahan, professor of urban and regional planning department of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), and Dr KM Maniruzzaman, another professor of the same department, the book titled 'Urbanisation In Bangladesh' contains 17 articles on different urban issues.

Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) organised the book launching ceremony at the National Press Club in the city.

Buet Vice-chancellor Prof Dr AMM Safiullah and eminent journalist Ataus Samad unveiled the cover of the book.

Taking part in the discussion on the book, Planner Akhter Hossain Chowdhury said it deals with different issues including nature of urbanisation in the country, price of land, car parking system, unplanned kitchen markets and urbanisation in Khulna city.

He said the book will help urban planners and the students of the related subjects.

Speaking as chief guest Dr Safiullah said urban planning is a vast thing as it deals many areas.

"Urbanisation is expanding rapidly in the country and we cannot afford to neglect proper planning," he said.

Speaking as special guest, Ataus Samad said the country is now run by the officers of former Civil Service of Pakistan (CSP), and welfare of the country is not possible by them.

He said long term planning was never taken in the country where urban facilities must be extended to rural people in order to develop the rural areas.

BIP President Dr Toufique M Seraj said it is the high time for the planners to move forward with their writings for the sake of the next generation.