ADB study to help improve urban planning system

FE Team | Published: January 23, 2012 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

FE Report
ADB has launched a study -- Strengthening Regional Planning and Governance project (SRPG) -- to improve the effectiveness of the urban planning system in Bangladesh. The main focus of the study is on the Dhaka city region and the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakhya (RAJUK).
The study features consists of obtaining the views of wide range of stakeholders involved in urban planning, transportation, environment and development in the region consisting the greater Dhaka district. Started in 2011, the study is being conducted by a team of leading national and international consultants Halcrow in association with BCL over an 11 month period.
As the study is an institutional one, the consultants are taking interviews of officials involved in government, non-government and private sector organisations to collect information and views on effectiveness of current planning system for urban development, transport and environmental management of the city.
The study research is mainly covering two components; one is amended and expanded Town Improvement Act; or a new Urban Planning Act to replace the existing Town Improvement Act and Draft legislation for Land readjustment and /or regulation and guide lines for land re-adjustment.
The other is strengthening roles and responsibilities of RAJUK and other relevant agencies with regional responsibilities including enhancing governance and organisational structures for RAJUK and other City Development Authorities of divisional cities.
When conducted, Legal (Planning) Specialist of the project and advocate of the Supreme Court and Professor of Law Dr Muhammad Idris Bhuiyan told the FE that the consultants were searching for developing a coherent policy framework in collaboration with concerned agencies and key stakeholders. So far, a number of renowned journalists, lawyers, environmentalists and civil society members were interviewed with a view to strengthening regional planning and development in the Dhaka city region through a set of coherent, integrated proposals which may recognise the legitimate needs and demand of all targeted institutions in greater metro area.