Establishment of building regulatory authority urged

The Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) has called for the establishment of a building regulatory authority to supervise building construction activities.

"Construction of buildings in accordance with the building code can be ensured at district, upazila and even village level if the regulatory authority is established. It will also pave the way to implement of 'My Village My City' concept as well as construction of buildings in line with other installations and infrastructures. At the same time, urbanisation will also be planned," said BIP President Akhter Mahmud.

He made the observations while addressing a seminar titled 'Importance of Planning in Building the Dream Bangladesh', organised on the occasion of the golden jubilee of independence and the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Sunday.

On behalf of BIP, he called upon the government to take 10 steps, including establishing building regulatory authority, to achieve developed country status by 2041.

Akhtar Mahmud said, "The building code has been published in gazette in February this year. Just publishing the code is not enough; its implementation must be supervised. The building code also mentions about a regulatory authority to supervise its implementation."

"By 2041, 56% of the population will be living in cities. The villages will turn into cities. Therefore, if we want to achieve the developed country status, we have to start implementing the city-centric plans in the villages from now on," he added.

BIP also advised to prepare a national infrastructure plan, implement DAB, preparation of upazila, approval of municipal master plans through gazettes, provide civic amenities at village level for implementation of My Village My City concept, to create an urban planner post in each municipality, and to strengthen the Urban Development Directorate.

Addressing the seminar as the chief guest, Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Tajul Islam said, "We need a healthy development plan. The building will be approved in a place where different civic facilities can be guaranteed to the occupants of that building."

"When we will get the developed country status in 2041, the per capita income will be $12,500. The farmers of the village will also use private cars then. So, we have to plan from now on how the car will be managed," he added.

"What will be the population in 2041? How many industries, educational institutions and banks will be there? Agriculture, health, education, industry, each ministry will undertake village-based projects so that educated people can be employed in the village. In this way, through the implementation of My Village My City idea, the country will finally gain the developed country status," the minister hoped.

Tajul Islam said, "My Village My City is not a particular project, it is a philosophy. Through implementing this philosophy civic amenities will be ensured in the villages."

Senior Secretary to Local Government Engineering Department Helal Uddin Ahmed, and BIP General Secretary Adil Muhammad Khan, among others, also addressed the seminar.