Bangladesh’s cities need more than master plans to survive

In today's Bangladesh, from small settlements to largest cities, a stark reality is evident: unplanned urbanisation, insufficient amenities for residents, and environmental degradation are gradually rendering our cities uninhabitable. At the root of the problem lies a failure to properly formulate and implement all three types of plans—strategic plan, master plan, and detailed area plan (DAP)—for unplanned settlements and urban development. Furthermore, urban planning is frequently focused on divisional cities, while attention remains concentrated on the largest centres.

Traffic congestion, inadequate waste management, waterlogging, and air and noise pollution have now become commonplace in our cities. The abnormal population pressure, combined with unplanned infrastructure, has exacerbated the crisis. Narrow roads, long boundary walls along the streets, inadequate sewage systems, and disappearance of green spaces are making urban life increasingly difficult. There are roads in many residential areas across the country where even two rickshaws cannot pass side by side. In numerous places, the trend of building houses obstructing the flow of canals and rivers is growing, posing a serious risk. Meanwhile, the conversion of agricultural land into residential areas continues unabated.

If unplanned urbanisation persists, the situation will deteriorate further. Climate change will heighten the risk of flooding and other natural disasters. Inadequate housing and the lack of efficient, environment-friendly public transport systems will intensify social inequality, stifling the cities' economic growth. Urban centres will lose vitality and turn into chaotic seas of people.

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It is often stated that municipalities in Bangladesh have master plans. One cannot help but ask: do the relevant authorities or mayors truly understand the degree of effectiveness of a master plan? It is a long-term strategic document that outlines specific residential, commercial and industrial areas, as well as roads, parks, and open spaces, and includes zone-based guidelines in order to ensure sustainable development. The approved plan is published as an ordinance.

However, its main drawback is a lack of specific and detailed information. For example, when someone wants to build a house, there is frequently no clear guidance on how much space should be reserved for a road. This is why a DAP is required to effectively implement a master plan. A DAP enables detailed planning and implementation at a small scale, while taking local conditions into account. Its main advantage is that it can be easily updated if necessary, enabling it to keep pace with rapidly changing urban requirements. Most cities in Bangladesh still lack effective master plans, and those that do exist are not properly implemented. The absence of DAP formulation and effective implementation further exacerbates the situation.

The strategic plan, meanwhile, is a high-level framework that establishes a city's long-term goals and objectives, while also providing appropriate guidance to the master plan and DAP. It offers an overview of urban development by integrating economic, social, and environmental considerations. Sustainable urban development is only possible if all three types of plans are implemented together.

To overcome this crisis, specific steps must be taken, including proper planning, strict enforcement of laws and policies, and a zero-tolerance approach to unplanned and illegal construction. When an accident occurs in a building, it is often revealed that the establishment was constructed illegally; the disclosure should not come this late. At the same time, municipalities and city corporations require financial and technical support, as well as the recruitment of skilled staff, to operate more efficiently. Moreover, it should be noted that an isolated planned housing project cannot possibly solve all of a city's problems. Rather, it requires a holistic approach.

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In addition to planning, it is vital to reduce reliance on private cars and to develop an improved and affordable public transport system to ease traffic congestion. Public participation in the urban planning process must also be ensured. If projects are developed based on the needs and opinions of the people, they will prove to be more effective.

The time has come to take decisive action to ensure a liveable and sustainable urban environment. This is not solely the responsibility of the government; creating a well-planned and attractive city requires citizens' collective awareness and participation as well. However, due to the country's lack of skilled and experienced town-planning and geospatial professionals, planning may not begin in all municipalities simultaneously. Implementation should, therefore, proceed gradually, allowing one city's experience to benefit others. The Rajshahi City Plan is an example, but its limitations must be recognised and learned from.

Kabir Uddin is a GIS and remote sensing specialist and Bangladesh country focal point at International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepal.

Views expressed in this article are the author's own.

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