Revise DAP, finalise people-friendly building regulations in 15 days: REHAB
The Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) has urged the authorities to revise the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) 2022-35 and finalise people-friendly building regulations within the next 15 days.
"The unlawful DAP, formulated by the previous government, requires urgent revision," REHAB President Md Wahiduzzaman said during a press conference held at the Cirdap Auditorium in the capital today (5 February).
Reading from a written statement, he stressed the immediate need to finalise building regulations. He also highlighted REHAB's key role in working with the government to address the country's housing challenges, ensuring access to one of the basic needs of citizens.
Wahiduzzaman said member companies are committed to ensuring safe housing for both present and future generations.
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He highlighted that over 200 linked industries depend on the real estate sector, sustaining the national economy and providing livelihoods for nearly 2 crore people. Due to the efforts of REHAB members, aesthetically pleasing buildings are being constructed in cities, with the sector contributing nearly 15% to the country's GDP.
Wahiduzzaman said around 350,000 families in Dhaka have become homeowners through REHAB's initiatives, and the sector aims to extend similar opportunities to others. However, he emphasised the need for essential policy support to achieve this goal.
He criticised the current DAP, stating that it was hastily published under the supervision of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He alleged that vested interests, backed by the previous government, manipulated the process, disregarding the well-structured Dhaka Metropolitan Building Construction Rules 2008 and unfairly repealing the Master Plan 2010. This led to the removal of crucial provisions from the 2008 regulations, creating significant disparities in building construction.
Wahiduzzaman argued that implementing the current DAP is hindering environmental improvements and road expansions in Dhaka.
The reduction in the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) has discouraged landowners from constructing buildings, leaving roads narrow and many areas with semi-structured, deteriorating buildings. As a result, 80% of Dhaka remains unplanned, posing serious risks to urban dwellers, he added.
He stressed that the absence of amendments to building regulations has caused dissatisfaction among landowners, developers, and citizens. Without realistic policy decisions, the country faces a severe housing crisis.
Given Bangladesh's high population density and shrinking agricultural land, he emphasised that vertical construction is the only viable solution to accommodate the growing population.
