Dhaka can still be made liveable: BIP
Urban planners have said the proposed DAP is a thorough development document that must be implemented
The Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) believes Dhaka can still be turned into a liveable city if the proposed Detailed Area Plan-2016-35 (DAP) is implemented.
"I expect the DAP to be finalised – taking the constructive and logical views of stakeholders into account. Its implementation will help increase Dhaka's liveability," BIP General Secretary Adil Mohammad Khan told a press conference in Dhaka Wednesday.
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In a presentation on the proposed DAP, Adil Mohammad Khan said, "The proposed DAP of Dhaka is an integrated and overall future development plan. It offers effective land use in the city and: adjacent housing, transportation, drainage, economic activities, environment, education, healthcare, recreation, social, and utility services."
He termed the draft DAP a thorough development document, prepared in Bengali by local experts.
The press conference was told that the draft articulates several concepts of modern urban planning and covers major topics such as land restructuring and land redevelopment – a supportive strategy to turn an unplanned area into a developed one.
The BIP general secretary said the detailed plan aims to facilitate: universal freedom of investment, improved living standards, a tolerant city, and the preservation and revitalization of the ecosystem.
The plan has scope for bringing deprived people under legal coverage so that they can obtain building construction permission, he said.
Adil Mohammad, during the presentation, said the plan proposes connecting 566 kilometres of waterways to bring the entire city under a blue network. The construction of box culverts has been discouraged so that water flow is not disrupted. To reduce the pressure on central Dhaka, it has been proposed that each sub-region have their respective schools, parks and community clinics.
In the meantime, BIP President Prof Dr Akhter Mahmud said, "Urban planners design a plan for people from all walks of life. So everyone should have equal opportunity to give their opinion, and we welcome their views."
BIP former President Fazle Reza Sumon said controlling building height strategy was also adapted previously to control population density, and the strategy seemed to be very successful. But, population density has gone out of control due to the Floor Area Ratio rule in the 2008 Rajuk Building Code.
