In a bid to increase sustainability and resilience of Dhaka's buildings and landscapes, an institute of architecture was launched by Bengal Foundation in the capital yesterday.

The institute will offer certificate, research and professional programmes in the study and design of architecture, landscapes and settlements. It will also organise lectures, public events, exhibitions, symposiums and discussions regularly to promote and propagate the institute's goals.

An important objective of the institute is to open up new potentials in design and planning practice not constrained by disciplinary compartments, said Bangladeshi architect Kazi Khaleed Ashraf during the launch.

He also said development and planning of Dhaka had become outworn which was why it was vital to seek alternative models of thinking and practice.

"The new integrated approach to the design of human settlements will embrace philosophies of cities and settlements, sociological critiques and understanding, environmental dynamics, agricultural practices, rural ecology, and economic systems," said Khaled who is also the director of the institute.

Bengal Foundation Chairman Abul Khair formally launched the Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements at a three-day international architecture conference in the capital's Army Museum.

“Architecture is the highest form of art. It is the mother of art”, said Khair, adding an architect could bring development in the country.

The Daily Star is a strategic partner to the conference titled 'Engage Dhaka 2015'. The conference began on Thursday.

The institute's faculty will include both native as well as foreign academics of international repute. Graduates from the disciplines of architecture, rural and urban planning, geography, media and engineering could apply for the Certificate Programme which will begin from August 1.

Kongjian Yu, dean of the college of architecture and landscape at Peking University, said Bangladesh had great opportunity of landscaping which had been ignored over the years.

Shamsul Wares, dean of the school of environmental science and design at the University of Asia Pacific, said the country people judge themselves from western perspective which must be changed.

In the daylong programme yesterday, Pritzker Prize winner Japanese Architect Fumihiko Maki, Indian Architect Aunpama Kundoo, Madrid-based architect Hector Fernandez Elorza and Hong Kong-based architect John Lin addressed the conference, among others.