Must use creative technology for urbanisation

World Habitat Day 2019 was observed yesterday in Bangladesh and the rest of the world, in a bid to raise awareness among people about safe shelter.

United Nations designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic human rights to adequate shelter.

The day is also intended to remind the world that we all have the power and responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns.

The theme of the year is “frontier technologies as an innovative tool to transform waste to wealth”.

On the eve of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages.

In his message, President Abdul Hamid said, “It is indispensable to use creative technology along with proper utilisation of resources to fulfil the demand of increasing urbanisation in developing countries.”

In light of vision 2041, he said the government has taken various steps for building a sustainable and environment-friendly urban landscape. “It is possible to ensure sustainable development in Bangladesh like other countries across the world by transforming waste into resource using modern technology,” said the president.

The prime minister, in her message, said the government is giving importance to modern waste management system with particular emphasis on environmental protection for all kinds of activities including urbanisation and setting up industries and factories.

The ministry of housing and public works should play a pivotal role in the management of waste that is created due to urbanisation and housing, she said.

Elaborate progreammes were undertaken to observe the day. President M Abdul Hamid attended the inaugural ceremony of World Habitat Day as chief guest at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in the capital.

A colourful procession was brought out in front of Dhaka Club at Shahbagh at 7:30am and it marched up to the department of public works at Shegunbagicha. Housing and Public Works Minister SM Rezaul Karim led the rally.

The ministry arranged the publication of a special supplementary in different national dailies on the occasion.

Special seminar and rallies were held across the country.

A three-day housing fair under the supervision of Housing and Building Research Institute was opened by President Abdul Hamid at BICC.

World Habitat Day observed in Savar

World Habitat Day 2019 was observed in Savar yesterday through a daylong programme organised by Brac.

The programme began around 10am with a procession on Dhaka-Aricha Highway.

Hazi Abdul Goni, mayor of Savar municipality; Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury, chief executive officer of the municipality; Mahfuzur Rahman, field coordinator of Brac Savar office, and Rashidul Islam, monitoring and evaluation officer of Brac Savar office were present among others.

A discussion was also held at the auditorium of Savar municipality office.