Providing a policy incentive for the sake of low-income people's housing is essential for making Dhaka a liveable city, speakers told a webinar on Friday.
They said proper analysis of their needs and ensuring urban facilities for them are also imperative.
The made the observations during a webinar styled 'Quality habitat for all in Dhaka city: Perspective and way forward' hosted by the Institute for Planning and Development (IPD).
The event was part of World Habitat Day to be marked on Monday (October 3), reads a statement.
IPD executive director Dr Adil Mohammed Khan presented a keynote during the webinar.
He said unplanned industrialisation and economic activity have put non-stop pressure on Dhaka's housing, which is also a reason for migration to Dhaka from other districts.
"We couldn't link our urban accommodation plan with the activities related to industrialisation and other economic activity, including trade and commerce."
Mr Khan further said that no standard was also followed for developing the city.
In the circumstances, he suggested adopting a public-private partnership model to provide accommodation.
The world is going to observe the day with the theme 'Mind the Gap. Leave No One and Place Behind'.
IPD director Ariful Islam said a habitat is not merely a dwelling place, rather it needs more facilities for better living.
IPD adviser Dr Akter Mahmud said the difference between demand and supply for housing facilities for people on low incomes need to be assessed.
However, the housing sector chiefly pays attention to middle- and high-income people, he noted categorically.
Besides, different government housing schemes have illegally made plots which were actually meant for public facilities like playground or park for dwellers.
Urban planners Ashraful Islam and Dr Chowdhury Md Jaber Sadek, among others, also spoke there virtually.
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