More open spaces urgent in capital

Speakers at an exhibition yesterday stressed the need for creating public places for city dwellers as the capital's residents were facing a huge crisis of parks, playgrounds and open spaces.

Addressing as chief guest after inaugurating the exhibition, Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said the parliament area was a heritage site visited by many people every day for their recreation and more such sites were needed.

Suggesting developing more parks with sections specifically designed for children, she said a lack of parks and playgrounds for children was a big problem of urban life.

Association of Buet (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology) Alumni in association with the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB), Institution of Engineers Bangladesh and Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) organised the three-day exhibition in the capital's Bangladesh National Museum.

The organisers said it was to disseminate ideas and create awareness among policymakers, journalists, professionals and citizens.

Put on display at Nalini Kanta Bhattashali Gallery are 31 selected entries of “Creating an Urban Oasis: Students Idea Competition for the Old Airport Site, Tejgaon, Dhaka”.

A book compiling 31 selected projects and articles by eminent professionals was also launched.

Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq said they would create more public spaces as soon as possible.

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon said they would be grateful to experts and students if they come up with plans like the Tejgaon airport one for Dhaka Central Jail, which is going to be shifted to Keraniganj.

Stressing the need for an integrated authority to make Dhaka a liveable city, Khokon said there was no coordination among the 56 departments running the city.

The alumni President Jamilur Reza Choudhury, IAB President Prof Abu Sayeed M Ahmed and BIP President Prof Golam Rahman also spoke.