Civil society press 11 demands for equitable city

A civil society group have outlined 11 demands, including ensuring safe and environment-friendly housing for vulnerable slum dwellers, to build an inclusive city free from inequality.

They made the demands at a discussion titled "We Want an Equitable City: The Expectations of Urban Dwellers from the Interim Government" held at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Auditorium of the Jatiya Press Club today (18 September).

The event was organised by the Bangladesh Resource Center for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK).

Mohammad Jahangir Alam, coordinator of BARCIK, said, "According to unofficial data, about 40% of the country's total population currently resides in urban areas. Around 9% of urban dwellers live in slums or on the streets."

He mentioned that more than 4-5 million people in Dhaka live in slums under inhumane conditions.

"Climate change-related crises and economic disparity between rural and urban areas are forcing people to migrate from villages to cities," he added.

Jahangir Alam further said, "Inclusive urban development is more urgent now than before. Urban dwellers expect leadership that understands the challenges of urbanisation and prioritises equitable access to opportunities and services.

"An equitable and inclusive city is not just about infrastructure; it ensures equal opportunities and prosperity for all."

The key demands include finishing the incomplete buildings in Bashabo and assigning them to slum dwellers, ensuring equal access to water, electricity, and fuel for all city residents, including the rich, poor, and slum dwellers, and offering free healthcare along with subsidised ration cards for the urban poor.

They also called for measures to safeguard slum dwellers from urban climate challenges, including floods, waterlogging, heavy rainfall, droughts, and heatwaves.

Additionally, they demanded the development of a well-structured transportation network that accommodates women, the elderly, the disabled, and all city residents.