Limited resources must be utilised thru proper planning: Planning adviser

Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud has said with our limited resources, we must focus on maximising their use through effective planning, emphasising that this is crucial for sustainable development.

"Our development and planning systems lack structure. With limited arable land, little agricultural land, even less forestland, and virtually no hills, we face significant challenges," he said at the closing ceremony of the three-day 4th International Conference on Urban and Regional Planning, organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) in the capital today (12 May).

"Bangladesh has one of the lowest amounts of unused land, unlike other countries that can build large-scale infrastructure. Thus, every development must be guided by accurate planning, with urban planners playing a key role," the adviser said at the event as chief guest.

He added that the chief adviser has initiated a move toward integrated planning. "The government is considering whether a unified spatial plan is possible instead of fragmented planning efforts."

The conference titled "Spatial Planning for Equitable Development of Urban, Regional, and Rural Areas" concluded at the CIRDAP auditorium with the announcement of the Dhaka Declaration.

The session was presided over by BIP President Dr Adil Muhammed Khan and conducted by General Secretary Planner Shaikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan. The Dhaka Declaration was presented by the organisation's Vice-President Syed Shahriar Amin.

Dhaka Declaration

The 13-point Dhaka Declaration includes key commitments such as incorporating spatial planning into political agendas, institutionalising a national spatial planning framework, promoting policies of just transitions, managing land, water, and active delta systems, maintaining ecological and social balance, inclusive development of nature and biodiversity, strengthening institutional capacity, decentralisation of power and resources, ensuring settlement justice for all, knowledge and data-driven planning, and the establishment of a dedicated spatial planning agency, among others.

Wahiduddin Mahmud also pointed to the misuse of public and community resources. "We are trying to create a consensus through a commission on issues like river and forest encroachment, often facilitated through political connections.

"In many areas, influential individuals, either directly or through collusion, take over communal or state-owned land. Mechanisms must be developed to ensure local communities can use these shared resources," he added.

Challenges to planning

Speaking as a special guest, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan said, "Planning is one of the most neglected aspects of our national discourse, yet it deserves greater focus. We lack a platform for integrated planning across sectors, but with professionalism in institutions, we can make progress."

Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairman of the Power and Participation Research Centre, added, "Personal-interest-driven development is the biggest obstacle to a planned Bangladesh. While we have many plans, vested interests often hinder their execution, even in government projects. A basic understanding of urban planning is essential for everyone."

Other speakers at the closing ceremony included Thijs Woudstra, deputy head of mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands to Bangladesh, and Prof Nazrul Islam, chairman of the Centre for Urban Studies.

In celebration of BIP's 50th anniversary, special honours were awarded to Prof Dr Golam Rahman, the pioneer of planning education and founding president of BIP, and Prof ASM Mahbub-un-Nabi, the country's first urban planner. Emeritus Professors ATM Nurul Amin and Salim Rashid were named honorary members of BIP for their contributions to the planning profession.

This year's conference featured 60 paper presentations from planners and professionals both from Bangladesh and abroad. The event also saw the participation of 35 international delegates from 15 countries, including the US, Australia, Germany, Iran, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.