The move to amend the latest Detailed Area Plan (DAP) for Dhaka city would exacerbate the liveability since it overlooked the well being of the citizens, according to a think tank.
The Institute for Planning and Development (IPD) also said on Saturday that the authorities prioritised the realtors' interest without paying a heed to the urban planners and other allied stakeholders in this regard.
The IPD came up with its observations at a virtual conference styled as "Dhaka Detailed Area Plan (DAP) Amendment Initiative: IPD's Observations" and called for an immediate end to the amendment move for the sake of ensuring a liveable city.
In a presentation, IPD Executive Director Adil Mohammed Khan said there are moves to amend the latest DAP, which was approved last year, without duly apprising the key stakeholders, including urban planners, amid pressures from vested interest groups.
"Consequently, the meaningful implementation of the DAP continues to face obstacles, posing challenges to the establishment of a habitable and sustainable Dhaka."
Mr Khan said Dhaka city has been losing liveability since the previous DAPs were not duly implemented.
RAJUK continued to compromise the population density zoning in the DAP for the sake of influential and vested quarters, he observed.
As per different media reports, the amendment to DAP would allow developers to increase Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in most neighbourhoods resulting in less scope for natural light and air for the residents of a building, he said.
According to media reports, an amendment to the DAP is almost at its final stage and is now waiting for gazette notification.
The IPD said that as per the new FAR proposal, if a row of eight-story buildings are constructed on both sides of a 12-foot-wide road, accommodation facilities there will be seriously hampered.
It also said the Purbachal residential area has been designed to accommodate one million people. However, the amendment to the DAP will allow living 2.5-3.0 million residents there, seriously affecting traffic management and other urban facilities there.
The think tank also said conservation of water bodies, green areas, and availability of playgrounds has not been properly addressed.
The IPD urged the government to ensure participation of all stakeholders in the amendment process and protect public interest and health.
IPD Director Ariful Islam and Assistant Professor of Urban and Regional Planning Department of Jahangirnagar University Farhadur Reza and others concerned joined the virtual programme.
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