How much taller will Dhaka's buildings get under revised DAP?
In some places, the floor area ratio (FAR) has more than doubled.
The revision of the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) 2022–35, which raises building-height limits across most parts of Dhaka, has been finalised, with the government set to issue a gazette on this soon.
Under the revised DAP and draft Dhaka Metropolitan Building Rules 2025, building heights have increased across all Rajuk areas.
In some places, the floor area ratio (FAR) has more than doubled. As a result, areas previously limited to five-storey buildings can now accommodate 10 or 11 storeys.
Moreover, the more open space a landowner leaves around a building, the greater the height relaxation they will receive.
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For example, if the FAR value for an area is 2.5, keeping the minimum required open space would allow a four to five-storey building.
But if the owner leaves more space around the building, they could build up to seven to eight storeys, even with the same FAR value.
Notable changes in FAR include: Mirpur (2.8 → 3.4), Dakshin Khan (2 → 3.1), Shewrapara (2 → 3), Korail (0 → 2), Mohakhali (2.2 → 3.3), Mohammadpur (2.7 → 3.4), Old Dhaka (2.6 → 3.3), Khilgaon (2 → 3.4), Tongi (2.4 → 3.2), Rupganj (2 → 3.2), Savar (2 → 3.4), Mirpur DOHS (2.5 → 4.8), and Khilkhet Residential Area (2 → 4.4).
In addition, in areas such as Baridhara, Bashundhara Residential Area, Kachukhet, Uttara, Lalmatia, Mohammadpur, Panthapath, Demra and Moghbazar, FAR has increased by up to 1.5 points compared to the existing level.
Beyond the FAR increase, block-based developments that merge plots will receive a bonus of 0.25 to 0.75 FAR on top of the base rate.
According to Rajuk, the more open space a plot owner leaves, the taller the building they will be allowed to construct vertically. Thus, even though buildings will rise higher, the amount of open and green space will also increase.
