Improvement of gridlock situation, management of population, and rise in the number of vehicles are factors for proper city development, says Japanese expert Daisuke Shinatani.
He observed that the South Asian countries like Bangladesh may seek assistance from Japan for urban development and planning under overseas development assistance (ODA) programme.
Mr Shinatani, who is now working with infrastructure giant Mitsui & Company, was talking with a group of selected journalists from the South Asian countries through virtual platform last week.
Japan can help enhance capacity of the officials involved in city development and urban planning under its ODA programme, he pointed out.
In this regard, he mentioned decarbonisation of urban areas, saying that Japan has its advanced technology, and the countries like Bangladesh can learn a lot from the Japanese experts.
According to Mr Shinatani, traffic jam, population and increasing vehicles are main components for creating urban hazards, and these factors need to be considered while planning for urban development.
Citing the Japanese experience he said, before the mid-19th century the urban planning and development of Tokyo city was very poor. But later, the city got necessary facilities and environment through proper planning.
Japan can help Bangladesh in areas like subways, road development, and climate change, which are also major factors for urban development.
However, as funding is the key factor for proper urban development, the city dwellers should pay taxes duly to support city government's urban development projects, the Japanese expert noted.
In this regard, he mentioned that private sector's involvement in city development projects is also crucial for mobilising funds and resources.
Responding to a question from the FE, he said a proper blueprint on city planning is needed to avoid lack of coordination in city development works.
It may be mentioned that a huge amount of money is wasted in Dhaka city every year for uncoordinated development works, as different utility agencies, like - gas provider and water supplier, dig the same road different times - causing its frequent repair.
If a blueprint is there, the utility agencies can coordinate among themselves to avoid such frequent digging and repair of the same road, he added.
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