LGRD ministry drafts Urban Policy after 21yrs, experts say multiple issues untouched
The draft, titled “National Urban Policy (NUP)-2025”, however, came under sharp criticism by urban planners and relevant experts who say it was not up to the scale to be a complete urban policy, requiring additional corrections
After 21 years, the Local Government Division (LGD) has finally completed the draft for an urban policy aimed at ensuring good governance in the urban sector, promoting sustainable urban planning and achieving balanced urban development.
The draft, titled "National Urban Policy (NUP)-2025", however, came under sharp criticism by urban planners and relevant experts who say it was not up to the scale to be a complete urban policy, requiring additional corrections.
Meanwhile, the Housing and Public Works Ministry's Urban Development Directorate has also prepared an independent policy, titled "Formulation of Bangladesh National Urbanisation Policy", in a stark juxtaposition with the one from the LGD.
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The National Urban Policy, or NUP-2025, is basically a set of principles providing guidelines for specific sectors to be adopted by the government, aligning its vision and long-term goals.
On the condition of anonymity, an LGD official told The Business Standard that although work on the policy began in 2004, it was later put on hold by the Awami League government. "Despite repeated calls to work on the policy at various times, the process of formulation and approval was stalled at the top brass of the government."
The official said had the policy been done during the previous government's tenure, the execution of the majority of the country's mega projects, including the ones in Dhaka, would not have been possible.
"If the policy were approved [during the AL regime], development projects such as flyovers and the metro rail would fall beyond its scope
"In addition, the issues regarding Dhaka's decentralisation and urban agencies' coordination would have been questionable," added the official.
Initiated in 2004 by the Ministry of Local Government, the draft underwent several reviews, stakeholder consultations, and revisions between 2011 and 2015, incorporating feedback from ministries, researchers, and urban leaders.
In 2015, the Cabinet Division returned the draft to the LGD with recommendations, leading to a revision in 2016. However, no further progress was made until 2022. In 2023, a new committee was formed to finalise the policy by 2024. To date, four NUP committee meetings have been held, with the latest on 8 December last year.
Talking to TBS, Akter Mahmud, professor of urban and regional planning at Jahangirnagar University, said given the contemporary context of urbanisation, involvement of all stakeholders is a must in the implementation of such a policy.
"The top brass of the previous government was not in favour of the policy, hindering its making and approval
"Now, given the changed context, this policy must go through the approval process quickly," he added.
Today, a stakeholder consultation workshop on the NUP-2025 draft took place at BICC auditorium, where LGD Secretary Md Nizam Uddin said it is unfortunate that an urban policy has not been developed in the last 21 years. "However, we are committed to moving forward from this moment."
He called for concerted efforts to bring the initiative to fruition.
The secretary further said clarification and feedback from more than 35 ministries have been incorporated into the draft.
Mohammad Shakil Akther, professor of urban and regional planning at Buet, who is a member of the committee for the NUP-2025's finalisation, said at present, there exist conflicting definitions of a city in the country as per various laws.
"Urban planning needs to be done within the framework of spatial planning"
Noting that the country's local government structure remains very weak, he said urban policy will work on how to strengthen it.
"There are many policies that just remain locked in files. The same is not expected for the urban policy [NUP-2025]."
Talking to TBS, Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) President Adil Mohammed Khan pointed out the formation of two separate policies from two ministries on the same matter, which he described as "a prime example of lack of coordination."
He said the draft of NUP-2025 appears to be lacking genuine force, and should undergo more corrections.
"It speaks about the inclusivity of the city, but that does not align with the situation in terms of services," he said.
He further said the policy must include a framework for the formation of urban government, which he said is not possible without a dedicated ministry for urban affairs.
