Open space for children in urban plan urgent
Open space for children should be emphasised in urban plans for their healthy growth, said speakers at a roundtable yesterday.
Due to a lack of playgrounds and parks, and physical activities, children living in cities often suffer from obesity or other physical problems like vitamin D and calcium deficiency, said Moinul Islam, a town planner of Narayanganj City Corporation.
At the roundtable held in the capital's Planners Tower by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) and Save the Children, speakers urged the government and planners to undertake area wise development plans including educational institution, hospital, park and playground.
Housing and Building Research Institute Director Mohammad Abu Sadeque said Dhaka can still become a better city through a proper plan where not only children but also women and people who are aged and have disabilities will benefit.
Dr AKM Abul Kalam, president of BIP, said the city corporations and municipalities need more expert hands for preparing a better urban plan while government officials need to work more actively.
Ishita Alam Abonee, a project analyst of the World Bank, said proper monitoring is needed to implement the development plans of city corporations and municipalities.
Adil Mohammed Khan, joint secretary of BIP, urged the planners to take opinions from children while making their plans.
Prof Dr Shamsul Alam, senior secretary of Planning Commission; Mahmuda Sharmeen Benu, additional secretary (planning) to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs; Mirza Ali Ashraf, deputy secretaryto the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief; and Maruf Hossain, a programme manager of Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust; also spoke.
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