The promise of shelter is broken in plain sight

Unchecked growth not an option, say planners, while builders say it is hurting home buyers

The government is weighing potential revisions to the Detailed Area Plan (DAP), a blueprint meant to guide Dhaka’s development, just two years after its approval, raising serious concerns among urban planners.

Housing developers' interests are getting in the way of making Dhaka a liveable city

There’s no way to call this a “people’s DAP.” It does mention some goals, but without sketching out a plan to achieve them.

Could the DAP be nothing but a visionless ideal?

DAP depicts a vision, but whose vision that is and how it came to be are not clear.

The regulations that DAP recommends can initiate a spree of development in the floodplains and agricultural lands surrounding central Dhaka, posing a serious threat of urban flooding.

Can the new Detailed Area Plan cure Dhaka's ills?

Only if Rajuk has the will and organisational capacity

They long for a city free from sound and air pollutions. They desire a city with footpaths suitable for walking and playgrounds near their doorsteps. They also want to preserve the ecosystem.

That was basically the message realtors had given Rajuk in early November in a views-sharing meeting. Realtors believe it is ludicrous for Rajuk to try and reclaim what has already been grabbed.

A moderate rain for a couple of hours and much of the capital goes under ankle to knee-deep water. Why?