Project taken to unlock economic potential of neglected Dhaka areas
The Tk36.68 crore project will be funded by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), with implementation planned over two years.
Rajuk has taken up an urban regeneration project aimed at reviving underused and abandoned lands across Dhaka's core areas to support economic activity, improve land use and enhance the capital's overall productivity.
The initiative will prepare integrated redevelopment strategies and feasibility plans for key locations, including Hazaribagh, Islambagh, Lalbagh, Chawkbazar, Moulvibazar, Bangshal, Kamrangirchar and parts of Gabtoli.
The Tk36.68 crore project will be funded by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), with implementation planned over two years. The project proposal has been sent to the Planning Commission for approval.
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According to Rajuk, the project aims to prepare an integrated urban rejuvenation framework alongside infrastructure development plans and climate-resilient urban strategies.
It will include risk-based remediation of polluted land, integrated infrastructure planning, land-based financing approaches and provisions for private sector participation.
Technical and financial feasibility studies, environmental and social impact assessments, detailed engineering designs and cost estimates will be prepared for each project area.
The project has been divided into two implementation packages.
Package 01 focuses on the Hazaribagh area, covering about 111.03 acres.
Planned activities include preparing an urban regeneration strategy paper, a remediation plan and a resettlement plan, alongside environmental and social impact assessments and a traffic impact assessment.
A full feasibility study, detailed site plan, engineering drawings and an investment plan will also be developed, culminating in a comprehensive project design report supported by visual animations.
Package 02 will cover Islambagh, Lalbagh, Chawkbazar, Moulvibazar, Bangshal, Kamrangirchar and Gabtoli East and West, with a combined area of around 120 acres.
Deliverables will include urban regeneration strategies, resettlement plans, environmental and social impact assessments and traffic assessments, along with feasibility studies, site layouts, conceptual architectural drawings and a consolidated project design report supported by visual presentations.
Environmental recovery and better land use remain key objectives of the initiative.
Using Hazaribagh as an example, the project proposal notes that the area, once the centre of the country's tannery industry, has remained polluted and largely abandoned since the relocation of factories.
Many areas in Old Dhaka also suffer from inefficient and uncontrolled land use despite limited land availability.
The Development Project Proforma (DPP) states that Dhaka, with a population exceeding two crore, plays a central role in Bangladesh's economy, contributing about 36% of the national GDP and employing around 32% of the workforce.
However, pressure on infrastructure, land scarcity, housing shortages and environmental degradation continue to constrain the city's growth and livability.
The DPP notes that many core areas of Dhaka were once vibrant economic hubs but are now abandoned or underused.
Revitalising these areas could create employment opportunities, encourage investment and improve livelihoods while expanding economic activities and supporting entrepreneurship.
The regeneration of neglected urban spaces is also expected to improve public areas, strengthen community engagement and encourage sustainable development practices.
The initiative may help preserve cultural heritage while promoting a more inclusive and resilient urban environment.
Rajuk sources said New Dhaka, particularly parts of the northern core areas, also faces challenges such as inefficient land use and excessive population density, highlighting the need for structured urban renewal efforts.
Direct beneficiaries will include officials and staff of Rajuk's Town Planning Division, who will receive training to implement urban regeneration initiatives more effectively.
Residents of the selected areas are expected to benefit from improved infrastructure, better public spaces and enhanced environmental conditions.
Indirect beneficiaries will include urban planners, policymakers and other stakeholders who will gain access to structured guidelines for future regeneration projects in Dhaka.
