Every inch of land counts
The Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) yesterday demanded that the political parties include planning and development issues in the manifestoes for the upcoming national election.
The organisation also called for preparing a master plan on land usage for the whole country to stop unplanned urbanisation and protect agricultural land.
“Currently 30 percent of people live in urban areas; it will rise to 50 percent by 2040. Therefore, proper and planned utilisation of every inch of the land is very important,” BIP President Dr AKM Abul Kalam said at a press conference at its office.
He said considering the reality, a separate ministry named “City Development and Planning” could be created to oversee development of both rural and urban areas.
General Secretary of BIP Dr Adil Mohammed Khan said Bangladesh is committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, and to attain some particular goals, it is essential to plan the land use at national, regional, and local levels.
He said as villages are being developed rapidly, there is a necessity for forming a department at the upazila level, which will control development activities outside the city corporation areas.
Adil said there has to be “city government” to ensure coordinated and effective planning, development, and management in all divisional cities. “All agencies related to planning and development will work under this city government system.”
BIP also demanded formulation of laws, rules, and regulations to introduce apartment-based housing schemes instead of the plot-based one; this way agricultural land can be saved. Initiatives are also necessary for protecting rivers, canals, water bodies, hills, forests and sea boundaries, the organisation said.
As part of the measures to reduce traffic congestion, they suggested introducing the bus rapid transit (BRT) system and putting importance on waterways and railways.
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