Landowners' platform demands DAP revision as per Building Code
They, under the banner “Dhaka City Landowners Affected by DAP”, also put forward six more demands at a press conference
Terming the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) 2022 "discriminatory", a group of landowners in Dhaka demanded its revision as per the Building Construction Rules-2008 and Bangladesh National Building Code-2020.
They, under the banner "Dhaka City Landowners Affected by DAP", also put forward six more demands at a press conference held at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka today (8 December).
In a written statement, Professor Dewan MA Sajjad, the platform's coordinator, said, "DAP was formulated in 2022 during the previous government's tenure to fulfill its interests. At the time, it ignored many problems of Dhaka, giving priority only to the issue of building height, which has created discrimination among Dhaka dwellers."
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He said that DAP designated only 20% of Dhaka city's land for the construction of high-rise buildings, classifying the remaining 80% as "unplanned areas". This classification significantly restricts the height and size of buildings that can be constructed in these areas.
Consequently, many landowners in these "unplanned" zones face challenges in constructing high-rises.
Joint Coordinator Humayun Kabir said, "The new DAP seems to primarily benefit residents of the Gulshan area, creating challenges for others. When we were required to construct buildings with 50% less height, it significantly increased flat prices and rental costs.
"We remain committed to supporting the government, but it's essential to address the disparities and discrimination evident in the DAP," he added.
Their additional demands include the following: ensuring that the width of roads in front of properties aligns with regulations, with the width matching the number of floors permitted for building construction; widening all roads in Dhaka to a minimum of 20 feet, halting the filling of water bodies, canals, and rivers, and preventing the construction of buildings on agricultural land, and streamlining the process for obtaining construction approvals; and ending harassment by Rajuk.
