Engage all stakeholders in city dev project planning

It is very important to engage all the stakeholders in planning and implementation of development projects to make a city liveable. Australian Minister Shane Rattenbury told this when  two green activists -- Maruf Hossain, national advocacy officer of Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust from Bangladesh and Kamrul Ahsan Khan, coordinator of Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN), Australian chapter - called on him at Legislative Assembly Building in Canberra, says a press release.

They expressed the view that problems are almost common all over the world. So, the problems can be solved jointly. They observed that most of the cities are developing the transportation system in similar way across the world. Basically, car-centric policies and programmes such as building elevated expressways, flyovers and high-rise car parking buildings are common features.

Decreasing import tax on private cars causes rise in transport cost, congestion, fuel consumption, pollution, accidents and alienation problem in the society, they observed.

Shane said they have vision to make their cities liveable and sustainable. They are going to develop green transport network in cities. Under this initiative they are improving public transport system including walkways and cycle lanes as well as creating open space for people, he added.

Australia discourages private cars for daily travel. Shane gave example from some cities that they discourage private cars by effective measures such as demolishing elevated expressway, imposing congestion charge, high parking charge etc.

The minister suggested that Bangladesh can improve public transportation system and maintain space for walking and cycling in cities. He emphasised the need for keeping some places in cities where people can sit, eat, talk and play.

Maruf Hossain and Kamrul Ahsan Khan handed over some publications of WBB Trust to Shane Rattenbury.