Introduce 'FAR'

We definitely appreciate the move in the prevailing situation where 2 lakh families will find decent homes on government land. But we don't agree with making it a conventional plot development project (3, 5 and 7 kathas), because of the fact that it will create another slum like area without sufficient open spaces. It is necessary to recognise that very few of the urbanites (especially middle income brackets) would like to have plot ownership, rather most of them will like to have flat ownership, which is a trend that the government should examine closely.

Otherwise, one day the so-called 'plot' will become a multi-storied apartment house, and the result will be concrete blocks with no open space that is essential for a good environment. We should not follow the bad examples of 'Dhanmondi' or 'Gulshan', where plot-based apartment blocks are emerging fast, removing the green patches.

We would like to reiterate the need for open spaces for a sustainable urban habitat. We would like the Ministry of Land and the Public Works Department to study the series of discussions and meetings held between RAJUK and the Institute of Architects, BAPA (Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan), REHAB and other eminent architects and environmentalists, where we have observed a wonderful proposal being advanced for introducing 'FAR (Floor Areas Ratio)'.

We have noticed that only FAR can give a habitable open and built ratio by creating collective housing on a land through consolidating small plots and generating more open spaces for community use. It is practically possible to house 2 lakh family in the designated areas if we give the development work to a number of developers to build and sell flats under the private sector participation scheme. Details of FAR exercise are readily available with IAB (Institute of Architects), REHAB or RAJUK. If we could equate how much built areas the government is going to create for 2 lakh families, then we can easily make an alternative FAR proposal for bigger plots and create room for open spaces around the built form.

We urge the government to reconsider the whole project by "not opting for plots" and creating opportunities for introducing 'FAR'. Only then can we have a sustainable development scheme, which the government is apparently not aware of!