Bringing order to chaos: The essential role of physical planning in Bangladesh's development

Dhaka, once a thriving metropolis, is now nearly uninhabitable due to this lack of strategic planning, with other major cities heading in the same direction. Without a national framework for physical planning, infrastructure projects continue to be implemented in an ad-hoc manner, causing inefficiencies and increasing public hardship.

The absence of integrated physical planning in Bangladesh has led to uncoordinated infrastructure development across various government agencies, exacerbating unplanned urbanisation. 

Bangladesh has failed to establish a structured process for overseeing physical infrastructure development. The lack of involvement from the highest levels of government in planning and execution has resulted in the misallocation of resources, with large-scale projects often being built without consideration for location suitability or long-term economic benefits. 

To ensure a more coordinated approach, the country must urgently prioritise the formulation and implementation of a national physical plan.

Defining physical planning

Physical planning encompasses all construction activities by both the public and private sectors. While the government funds roads, bridges, and large-scale infrastructure, private investment is directed towards residential and commercial construction. Social infrastructure, such as mosques and community centres, also plays a significant role. 

However, the effectiveness of these developments in improving livability remains questionable. The continuous decline of Dhaka in global livability indices is a stark indicator of planning failures.

Each year, Bangladesh spends billions on infrastructure. In FY2024-25, the development budget allocation is approximately Tk2.81 trillion, with 80% of this allocated to public infrastructure projects. 

Yet, despite this enormous expenditure, the country lacks a national law or institutional mechanism to coordinate physical planning, leading to inefficient investments and widespread urban dysfunction. Without a structured approach to physical planning, many projects risk becoming underutilised or mismanaged, ultimately failing to achieve their intended impact.

To address this issue, an effective national physical planning framework must include clear policies on zoning, land use, and environmental considerations. Without these critical elements, urban areas will continue to suffer from congestion, pollution, and inefficient service delivery. A well-planned infrastructure development strategy should ensure that transportation networks are integrated, green spaces are preserved, and essential services such as water and electricity are effectively distributed.

Physical planning in government documents 

The First Five-Year Plan (1973-78) defined physical planning as the geographic expression of economic and social policies, involving land use and construction at national, regional, and local levels. It identified three critical streams of development planning: economic planning managed through the National Economic Council, physical planning ideally executed via a National Physical Planning Council (NPPC), which remains non-existent, and project execution and monitoring supervised by a National Development Council.

In Bangladesh's 1st and 2nd Five-Year Plans (1973–1986), all these strategies for physical planning were outlined. Responsibility for physical planning was assigned to the Urban Development Directorate under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works. However, even after 52 years of independence, no steps have been taken to implement this. 

A proposed Town and Country Planning Department, which was meant to function under the Prime Minister's Office, never materialised. Successive governments have neglected this crucial aspect of governance, leading to inequitable development and widespread inefficiencies. If implemented properly, the NPPC could serve as a central body responsible for approving and guiding national, regional, and urban development plans.

The lack of an overarching authority results in frequent conflicts between different government bodies. Road construction projects often fail to account for public utility lines, leading to unnecessary rework and resource wastage. Similarly, flood management initiatives remain disconnected from urban development plans, exacerbating drainage issues in major cities. Integrating all these components under a single framework would streamline decision-making and enhance efficiency.

Lessons from global practices

Developed countries follow structured physical planning approaches. National plans are formulated based on socio-economic policies and sectoral needs, leading to regional and local development strategies. 

Countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea have implemented laws such as Town and Country Planning Acts and Urbanisation Policies, executed by designated physical planning authorities. 

These nations have established a National Physical Planning Council, chaired by the head of government, with a Director General for Physical Planning serving as the chief executive. This council ensures that all infrastructure and urban projects align with broader national objectives.

In Singapore, for instance, urban development is guided by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), which ensures land use planning aligns with economic objectives. The country's highly efficient public transport system is a result of careful planning, integrating roads, metro systems, and residential areas seamlessly. 

South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport ensures that urban expansion does not compromise environmental sustainability. Bangladesh can learn from these models by implementing a national authority that monitors and enforces comprehensive development strategies.

Current challenges in physical planning

In Bangladesh, seven universities offer Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning degrees. However, the absence of a national law or policy on physical planning has left a significant gap in the curriculum. Unlike countries where physical development planning is guided by national laws and policies, Bangladesh's planning education lacks the inclusion of a legal framework for physical planning. 

As a result, students graduate without a clear understanding of how physical planning and implementation operate at the national level. This gap limits their ability to contribute effectively to the formulation and execution of physical plans, which are crucial for the country's development.

Bangladesh operates under a unitary system of government, where all administrative activities are centrally governed. While this system has its merits, it often struggles with bureaucratic inefficiencies, hindering effective service delivery to the public. Over time, the inability to access basic services has led to growing public dissatisfaction. 

How decentralisation can help 

Globally, countries are governed either by unitary or federal systems, and the shortcomings of Bangladesh's centralised governance have become increasingly apparent. Given the country's large population and diverse needs, adopting a decentralised or federal system of governance could be a viable solution.

Under this proposed model, Bangladesh's existing divisions could function as regional governments. These regions—Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, Rangpur, Sylhet, and Mymensingh—would each have their own chief minister and cabinet.

By restructuring the current administrative framework, governance and service delivery could become more efficient and responsive to local needs. This decentralisation would foster healthy competition among regional governments, encouraging better development outcomes. It would also create opportunities for young leaders to emerge and reduce bureaucratic red tape.

To alleviate the pressure on Dhaka, an administrative capital could be established on approximately 75 square kilometres of land near the city, similar to Malaysia's Putrajaya. This eco-friendly city would house government offices, residential facilities for employees, educational institutions, and recreational amenities. 

By relocating administrative functions to this new capital, Dhaka's chronic issues—such as traffic congestion, waterlogging, air pollution, and noise pollution—could be significantly reduced. Dhaka itself could then undergo urban renewal and redevelopment to enhance its aesthetic appeal and liveability.

To bring this vision to life, planners, engineers, and architects must be given priority and provided with an enabling environment to contribute to the physical planning process. The government could form a dedicated commission, such as the "Administrative Restructuring Committee for Physical Planning," to oversee the implementation of these reforms. With the proper utilization of Bangladesh's talented population, this ambitious vision is achievable.

The way forward

Addressing the challenges of physical planning in Bangladesh requires urgent and coordinated efforts to overcome the historical lack of integrated action in this area. 

While past shortcomings have hindered planned development, they should not prevent future progress. To transform Bangladesh into a planned and livable nation, it is essential to establish a robust framework for physical planning and implementation. 

Immediate steps must be taken to create a Town and Country Planning Act and develop a corresponding institutional framework. Key actions include establishing a monitoring cell under the Chief Advisor's Office, led by senior planners, to oversee the country's physical planning activities. 

Additionally, a commission should be formed to evaluate existing physical infrastructure and recommend necessary legal and institutional frameworks to the government. Steps should also be initiated to draft a Town and Country Planning Act, set up an Urban and Rural Planning Directorate, and form a National Physical Planning Council chaired by the head of government. These measures are critical to achieving sustainable and well-coordinated development across the country.

Md Nurullah
Engineer-Planner
Former Chief Engineer, Dhaka South City Corporation and 
Additional Chief Engineer (Urban Management).