REHAB calls for revision of DAP, citing impact on housing sector
According to the REHAB president, the 2022–2035 DAP and its building construction regulations have imposed serious constraints on the sector, particularly through the reduction of Floor Area Ratio (FAR), limiting building height and size.
The Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) has urged the government to amend the 2022 Detailed Area Plan (DAP), saying the current framework is causing stagnation in the housing industry and affecting more than 200 related industries.
Landowners have stopped providing land to developers since the DAP gazette was issued, which significantly reduced permitted building heights, said REHAB President Md Wahiduzzaman, at a press conference to overcome the stagnation of the housing industry and related linkage industries held at the National Press Club today (22 April).
"As a result, developer companies are unable to invest in new projects. We want a business-friendly DAP that can help overcome the current stagnation in the housing industry and its linkage sectors," he said.
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He said that over the years, REHAB members have contributed to the construction of aesthetic and modern buildings in urban areas. The housing industry, he noted, supports more than 200 related industries, including rod, cement, brick, tiles, cable, paint, lift, Thai glass, and sanitary ware.
"Employment for 4 million citizens and food provision for 20 million people revolve around this sector. It contributes about 15% to the GDP," he added.
According to Wahiduzzaman, the 2022–2035 DAP and its building construction regulations have imposed serious constraints on the sector, particularly through the reduction of Floor Area Ratio (FAR), limiting building height and size.
This, in turn, has significantly reduced the demand for construction materials.
"Rod is the largest component of construction materials. Towards the end of last year, several organisations in the rod industry stated that their demand had fallen by 50%. That decline has continued over the last four to five months," he said.
The demand for other materials such as cement and bricks has also dropped. Many factories have reduced production—some from three shifts to two, or even one—resulting in job losses and further contraction in employment.
Wahiduzzaman also highlighted various VAT and tax-related issues affecting the housing and related sectors.
"Our national budget will be announced soon. We hope the interim government will deliver a realistic, people-friendly, and business-friendly budget," he said.
Representatives from various housing-related industries were also present at the press conference.
