New buildings in Dhaka to be earthquake, climate-resilient: RAJUK chairman
FE REPORT | Friday, 8 December 2023
Dhaka's new buildings will be made earthquake- and climate-resilient with the goal of transforming the capital into a modern and safe city.
"The new building plans we approve now won't allow us to bypass the rules and regulations of RAJUK and we try to maintain the building code, which is a challenge to follow. Our buildings must be earthquake-resilient, safe and risk-free as directed in the Detailed Area Plan (DAP)," RAJUK chairman Anisur Rahman Miah said on Thursday.
He made the remarks while inaugurating a three-day 28th Build Bangladesh International Expo and Power Series of Exhibitions as the chief guest at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the city.
The series of exhibitions, organised by CEMS-Global USA, include the Power Series of Exhibitions on Power and Energy, Renewable Energy, Lighting and Intelligent Applications.
The expo will showcase building and construction materials, methods, equipment, real estate development, water treatment, technologies and solutions from December 7-9.
The RAJUK chairman said that about 1,528 square kilometres of areas under the DAP would be planned and no one would be allowed to violate any rule under the DAP.
Dhaka's old buildings aged over 20 years will be assessed by a third party as per the suggestions of an expert team and the buildings facing challenges will be retrofitted or demolished based on the experts' assessment, he added.
Based on complaints of Dhaka residents of not getting proper service, the RAJUK had been working to build the capital as a modern and planned city like it did in Purbachal, an eye-catching residential area of about 26,000 houses, the chairman said.
Abdur Rahim Khan, additional secretary of the Commerce Ministry, spoke at the event as a special guest and laid emphasis on private and public cooperation to further the country's economic growth.
He noted that the country was going to face a water crisis due to global climate change.
The series of expos also included the 25th Power Bangladesh International Expo 2023 in conjunction with the 20th Solar Bangladesh International Expo 2023 and the 5th Dhaka International Lighting Expo 2023.
Moreover, the 5th Water Bangladesh International Expo 2023 will showcase the water, wastewater technologies and solution-based products and services industries.
The expos provide forums for face-to-face meetings, discussions, networking, business development, fostering cross-border collaborations, investments and the exchange of ideas, said Meherun N. Islam, President and Group Managing Director of CEMS-Global USA & Asia-Pacific.