How can cutting down trees mean development?

Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology authorities have cut down several 50-year-old trees and sold them off for 1 lakh and 27 thousand. On the other hand, despite previous outrage over cutting down trees in Suhrawardy Uddyan, Dhaka University authorities moved to cut down a 30-year-old Krishnachura tree.

Is this trend actually feasible for long term development?

In Star Connects, The Daily Star's chief reporter Pinaki Roy is joined by renowned architect Iqbal Habib for answers.