Interim government fails to deliver effective urban solutions, say experts
Urban experts say the interim government has failed to take effective measures to address major civic problems in cities, despite introducing several laws and regulations over the past year.
Urban specialists shared their assessments today (16 January) during a webinar titled "Planning, Development, Environment, and Equity of Bangladesh's Urban Areas in 2025: Citizens' Expectations and Achievements," organised by the Institute for Planning and Development (IPD).
Presenting the keynote paper, IPD Executive Director Professor Adil Mohammed Khan said, "In the past year, the interim government has formulated various laws and regulations related to planning, building construction, and urbanisation. However, they could not take any effective initiatives to solve the problems of citizens in urban areas."
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He said the occupation of fields and parks remains unchanged and public access is still restricted in many places. He added that forming development authorities in Mymensingh, Barishal and Rangpur will "increase bureaucratic dependency," while the government "remained silent regarding the formation of urban governments."
IPD also stated that the government failed to ensure exemplary punishment for those occupying and polluting canals, rivers and water bodies.
According to the organisation, the government remained indifferent to civic movements and "attempts were made to control the mass media" on city and environmental issues. It also said corrupt officials of urban agencies and political hooliganism were not addressed.
Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) President Muhammad Ariful Islam said, "Even after 55 years of independence, we have not been able to prepare a national-level spatial plan for the country as a whole."
He said that fragmented plans exist but implementation is lacking, and added, "Most of those responsible for implementing plans are bureaucrats or administrators. It is extremely urgent to include professionals."
Jahangirnagar University Associate Professor Farhadur Reza said there is a significant gap between expectations and achievements under the interim government.
He warned that revising Dhaka's Detailed Area Plan (DAP) will increase population density, saying it will make the city "even more stagnant."
He also said Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) has "moved away from development control and is engaged in the housing business."
He added that Dhaka has only a few parks and noted that "Panthakunja Park is being destroyed even during the tenure of this government." He said legal measures to protect parks remain weak and issues like waterlogging are not receiving due attention.
IPD member Engineer Tofael Ahmed Sajeeb said that agencies, including Rajuk, have failed to enforce BNBC codes.
He said the tendency to construct unauthorised buildings continues, increasing risks to civic life, and added that the government has not been successful in implementing planning and construction laws.
Speakers said that after the mass uprising, citizens had expected strong measures to make urban areas liveable, equitable and sustainable.
They acknowledged that the approval of the National Urban Development Policy-2025 and the Spatial Planning Ordinance was positive, but said effective initiatives were still lacking in major cities, districts and municipalities.
They said the government changed Dhaka's DAP "under pressure from businessmen" and failed to act against the encroachment of rivers, canals, water bodies and wetlands, or against harmful industries polluting urban environments. They noted that no effective steps were taken to ease traffic congestion, waterlogging or noise pollution.
Speakers further said that the absence of ward councillors reduced local-level engagement and communities were not involved in solving neighbourhood issues. They added that hardships increased for low-income and marginal residents.
They concluded that the next elected government must prioritise effective planning, integrated initiatives, development management and public participation, rather than focusing on large projects.
