City govt needed for coordination for proper planning, dev
Speakers at a roundtable yesterday stressed the need for a city government for better coordination among different organisations involved in city planning, development and its management.
As there are multiple guardians, there is no coordination among the organisations working to develop and management of the city, said Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad.
The Bapa president said this at the roundtable on 'Dhaka mega city without custodian' at Buet central auditorium on the concluding day of the three-day Planning Week-2009 organised by Urban and Regional Planning (URP) department and URP Students' Association.
To bring all organisations under better coordination, city governance is necessary and the government has to take steps for its implementation, he added.
Presenting a keynote paper, Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) President Prof Sarwar Jahan said, “As there is a lack of coordination among the organisations involved in planning, development and management, we often see overlapping and duplication of responsibilities among them.”
A single authority is needed to bring coordination among the organisations, he said, adding that although there is a mayor in Dhaka, but his power to develop the city and its management is very poor.
Addressing as the chief guest at the concluding ceremony of the week held after the roundtable, State Minister for Housing and Public Works Abdul Mannan Khan said previous governments developed the city in unplanned way, although planning is very important for the development of a city.
“For the better development of the city, we will exchange our views with experts and take necessary steps following their recommendations,” he said.
Rajuk Chairman Md Nurul Huda at the roundtable said a long-term planning is needed for the development of the city, adding: “The planning should not be changed with the change of a government.”
Joint Secretary of Bapa Iqbal Habib said political planning is a must for any kind of development plan, adding that it is necessary to ensure participation of both government and opposition parties for a sustainable development.
CDC Executive Director Muhammad Jahangir moderated the roundtable.
Head of URP department Dr Rukhsana Hafiz and General Secretary of BIP AKM Abul Kalam of BIP addressed the roundtable.
Comments