‘No law on urban planning a hindrance to making habitable cities’ | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Tuesday
June 10, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025
‘No law on urban planning a hindrance to making habitable cities’

Environment

TBS Report
08 November, 2020, 06:30 pm
Last modified: 08 November, 2020, 09:12 pm

Related News

  • Unsold rawhides rot on Ctg streets, garbage dumps as prices plummet
  • Rizwana calls for global unity for sustainable plastic use and zero-carbon future
  • Light to moderate rain, thundershowers likely over parts of country
  • EU reaffirms commitment to safeguarding environment
  • 'Green recovery plan, ban on plastic': BNP unveils five measures to protect environment if elected to power

‘No law on urban planning a hindrance to making habitable cities’

Urban planning is instrumental in making Dhaka and all other cities across the country livable

TBS Report
08 November, 2020, 06:30 pm
Last modified: 08 November, 2020, 09:12 pm
In his speech, Sharif said over the last decade, the booming population has caused the amount of usable land to shrink.  Photo: TBS/MumitM
In his speech, Sharif said over the last decade, the booming population has caused the amount of usable land to shrink. Photo: TBS/MumitM

It is high time urban planning is given top priority to ensure a livable environment, speakers said at a discussion on Sunday, expressing concerns that the government has not yet formulated a national law on town planning.

Even if detailed area plans have been made for different cities, they are hardly sufficient to ensure the proper management of population density, transportation and utility services as well as other basic urban amenities, they observed. 

Noting that preservation of healthy environs determines the mode of living of all beings, they said urban planning is instrumental in making Dhaka and all other cities across the country livable.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The virtual discussion was hosted by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) marking the World Town Planning Day on Sunday. This year's theme for the day is "Urban Planning for Public Health".

Sharif Ahmed, state minister of the public works ministry, was present at the programme as chief guest.

He said over the last decade, the booming population has caused the amount of usable land to shrink.

He claimed that the government is working relentlessly to turn Dhaka into a well-planned and beautiful city.

In his address, BIP president Akter Mahmud said unplanned development has already given rise to high population density, degraded air quality, faulty infrastructure for transportation, and a broken waste management system.

The authorities must put an end to the pollution of water bodies and encroachment on them, he said, suggesting that population density must be controlled while every ward in the city should have a playground, a park and a primary health facility so that people can easily access healthcare and a neighborhood in which to socialise with others.

Economic activities will not be well-managed and regulated until there is effective urban planning in place, said urban planner AKM Abul Kalam, also convener of the BIP advisory committee.

Everything from drinking water to waste management depends on development plans, he said.

Terming rapid urbanisation a major problem, Brac Climate Change Programme Director Md Liakath Ali said vertical expansion is riskier than a horizontal when it comes to the management of urban utility services.

A public hearing on the revised Detailed Area Plan (DAP) for Dhaka has been extended for two more months till January to allow for more debate and discussion before it is finalised, said Shahid Ullah Khandaker, secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works.

He acknowledged the rise in temperature in the capital is associated with the pollution of the air, water and soil.

The government is at the final stage of formulating a building code to regulate the construction of buildings, ensuring that penetration of sunlight as well as air circulation is taken into consideration, said Shahid Ullah. 

The secretary underscored the need for coordination between different ministries for successful implementation of the DAP.

Top News

Urban planning / habitable / environment

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. Photos: Collected
    Yunus-Tarique meeting in London on Friday can be a major turning point: Fakhrul
  • An Israeli soldier passes a bun to Greta Thunberg onboard the Gaza-bound British-flagged yacht ‘Madleen’ after Israeli forces boarded the charity vessel as it attempted to reach the Gaza Strip in defiance of an Israeli naval blockade, in this still image released on June 9, 2025. Israel Foreign Ministry via X/Handout via REUTERS
    Greta Thunberg deported from Israel after Gaza aid boat seized
  • Photo shows the Land Cruiser Prado car belonging to former member of parliament (MP) Anwarul Azim Anar found in Kushtia. Photo: TBS
    Luxury car of ex-AL MP Anar, who was killed in Kolkata, found in Kushtia

MOST VIEWED

  • On left, Abdullah Hil Rakib, former senior vice president (SVP) of BGMEA and additional managing director of Team Group; on right, Captain Md Saifuzzaman (Guddu), a Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilot for Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Photos: Collected
    Ex-BGMEA SVP Abdullah Hil Rakib, Biman 787 pilot Saifuzzaman drown in boating accident in Canada
  • A photo showing the former president on his return to Dhaka today (9 June). 
Source: Collected
    Former president Abdul Hamid returns to Bangladesh from Thailand
  • File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar
    Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus leaves for a four-day visit to the United Kingdom from the Dhaka airport on 9 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    CA Yunus leaves for UK; discussion expected on renewable energy investment, laundered money
  • Inside the aid ship stormed by Israeli forces on 9 June 2025. Photo: BBC
    Israeli forces stormed aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg bound for Gaza: Freedom Flotilla Coalition
  • Enhanced surveillance at Ctg airport amid rising global Covid-19 cases
    Enhanced surveillance at Ctg airport amid rising global Covid-19 cases

Related News

  • Unsold rawhides rot on Ctg streets, garbage dumps as prices plummet
  • Rizwana calls for global unity for sustainable plastic use and zero-carbon future
  • Light to moderate rain, thundershowers likely over parts of country
  • EU reaffirms commitment to safeguarding environment
  • 'Green recovery plan, ban on plastic': BNP unveils five measures to protect environment if elected to power

Features

File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

1d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

3d | Bangladesh
Illustration: TBS

Unbearable weight of the white coat: The mental health crisis in our medical colleges

5d | Panorama
(From left) Sadia Haque, Sylvana Quader Sinha and Tasfia Tasbin. Sketch: TBS

Meet the women driving Bangladesh’s startup revolution

6d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Tarique to meet CA Yunus in London on Friday, confirms Fakhrul

Tarique to meet CA Yunus in London on Friday, confirms Fakhrul

36m | TBS Today
Israel has taken the aid ship 'Madeleine' to its port

Israel has taken the aid ship 'Madeleine' to its port

2h | TBS World
Dr. Yunus and Tarique Rahman's meeting will not solve all problems: Mirza Fakhrul

Dr. Yunus and Tarique Rahman's meeting will not solve all problems: Mirza Fakhrul

1h | TBS Today
Khadi in a New Form Amid Various Crises in Fashion

Khadi in a New Form Amid Various Crises in Fashion

4h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net