Sustainable cities an uphill task
Amid rapid urban population growth, it will be very difficult for the country to make its cities sustainable by 2030 in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) unless there is an inclusive urbanisation policy and strong political commitment, said urban experts.
They said Bangladesh needs to go for rapid decentralisation, reducing internal migration with a special focus on the growth of all the cities and towns with socioeconomic opportunities to attain the 11th goal of the global agenda.
Besides, coordination among different government bodies and strong city governance are also vital to ensure the better use and management of the urban spaces.
They also suggested taking steps to reduce the overburdened urban population from the capital through planned decentralisation and developing its adjacent towns.
Urban expert and former chairman of the University Grants Commission Prof Nazrul Islam said attaining the goal of sustainable cities will be very difficult for Bangladesh as its most cities and towns have developed in an unplanned way.
Prof Nazrul said the country's urban population is growing fast due to huge migration to urban areas. “The government must focus on rural development to check the growing migration to cities, mainly to Dhaka and Chittagong.”
He suggested developing divisional cities, district and upazila towns with enhancing economic opportunities and incentives.
He said the government's plan to set up 100 special economic zones will be very effective to reduce internal migration. A special focus needs to be given on Dhaka as it is an unplanned city with a population of 17 million, he stressed.
According to the UN projection, he said, its population may shoot up to 23-25 million by 2030. A “de-concentrate Dhaka policy” is necessary to make the city livable, manageable and sustainable, he said.
“It means a portion of Dhaka's population should be shifted to its adjacent areas by developing new and satellite towns like Purbachal and Jhilmil with civic amenities.”
Besides, Prof Nazul said, more investment is necessary to develop the existing towns near Dhaka like Munshiganj, Narsingdi and Manikganj. “Quick implementation of Dhaka's master plan is also essential.”
Another urban expert, Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, said Bangladesh needs to focus on ensuring sustainable transport, housing, water supply, utility services, sanitation, environment and infrastructure and building to make the cities sustainable.
“It's very difficult for a country like Bangladesh to make its urban spaces sustainable within 2030. It will take time, but the government needs to put in its all efforts to achieve the goal by the stipulated time.”
Dr Sarwar Jahan, a professor of urban & regional planning at Buet, said the country is yet to adopt a national urban policy for ensuring sustainable urbanisation.
He said a group of urban experts had made a policy titled “Bangladesh Urban Policy” in 2006 for ensuring proper and sustainable urbanisation, but the government is yet to adopt it. “I think adopting an inclusive urban policy and making laws and regulation to implement it will be the first step towards achieving the SDG 11.”
He also emphasised on decentralisation to deal with the existing major city problems.
Executive Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Prof Mustafizur Rahman said the country's majority people will live in cities and towns after 25 to 30 years. “So, the target of ensuring sustainable cities is important from the perspective of economic, social and environmental integration.”
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