Separate city into zones and enforce zoning principle
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Irfan Ahmed
Zoning is the main principle followed in well-developed modern cities of the world that divides city areas for different purposes. For example, residential areas are kept strictly preserved in nature essentially for living peacefully in their homes by people. Similarly, commercial areas are segregated from the rest to carry out commercial activities. Industrial areas are confined to zones near or outside city limits. Schools, colleges, hospitals, etc., are also set up in accordance with the zoning principle. The benefit of such zoning should be obvious. Residential areas can be enjoyed for peaceful living by their inhabitants as these should be. Industrial zoning helps citizens to avoid congestion, noise and some degrees of pollution unavoidable from clustering of industries. The separation of educational institutions and hospitals from dingy and crowded areas of the city help in the maintenance of a serene environment for the pursuit of education and the physical and mental comfort of patients respectively. But so far, Dhaka city has developed in a hybrid manner where the zoning principle has been violated, and flagrantly, in many cases than being followed. For example, the Dhanmondi residential area used to be a coveted residential area since the sixties. But the residents of the area now suffer from very undesirable intrusions by diagnostic clinics, schools, colleges, etc., that have contributed to the gradual loss of the residential characteristic of this part of the city. Some residents of the area recently filed cases in the country's court of law in a bid to build pressure for the eviction of such encroachers from it. It appeared from a media report sometime ago that the relevant court responded in favour of the litigants. But it would still be a long road to be travelled to implement the court order or the successful outcome to come from this. Wari is another residential area where encroachments signifying anything but residential purposes, are noted. This area has been the elite residential area from the British period. Today, it shows a far different self where warehouses, schools, shanties and even some small manufacturing activities, can be spotted. All these have contributed to undermining the pure and pristine living conditions of this area. Looking around, it should be possible to point to many other such examples where the zoning principle is getting flouted from the arrogance and sheer lack of responsibility on the part of the offenders. Hospitals have been set up on busy roads and the sounds of car honking and other noises are enough to accelerate palpitation of heart patients admitted there. Universities are found in dingy areas side by side with garments factories and other establishments hardly consistent with the need of an academic environment. Court order in individual cases may be useful in addressing such grievances but would be hardly enough to curb and frustrate the malaise widely and effectively. Though belated, any tough policy stand taken by the government from now on against the offenders to push them to relocate elsewhere appropriately and maintenance of vigilance to guard against potential offences, would hold out any prospect for an improvement in the situation.
Zoning is the main principle followed in well-developed modern cities of the world that divides city areas for different purposes. For example, residential areas are kept strictly preserved in nature essentially for living peacefully in their homes by people. Similarly, commercial areas are segregated from the rest to carry out commercial activities. Industrial areas are confined to zones near or outside city limits. Schools, colleges, hospitals, etc., are also set up in accordance with the zoning principle. The benefit of such zoning should be obvious. Residential areas can be enjoyed for peaceful living by their inhabitants as these should be. Industrial zoning helps citizens to avoid congestion, noise and some degrees of pollution unavoidable from clustering of industries. The separation of educational institutions and hospitals from dingy and crowded areas of the city help in the maintenance of a serene environment for the pursuit of education and the physical and mental comfort of patients respectively. But so far, Dhaka city has developed in a hybrid manner where the zoning principle has been violated, and flagrantly, in many cases than being followed. For example, the Dhanmondi residential area used to be a coveted residential area since the sixties. But the residents of the area now suffer from very undesirable intrusions by diagnostic clinics, schools, colleges, etc., that have contributed to the gradual loss of the residential characteristic of this part of the city. Some residents of the area recently filed cases in the country's court of law in a bid to build pressure for the eviction of such encroachers from it. It appeared from a media report sometime ago that the relevant court responded in favour of the litigants. But it would still be a long road to be travelled to implement the court order or the successful outcome to come from this. Wari is another residential area where encroachments signifying anything but residential purposes, are noted. This area has been the elite residential area from the British period. Today, it shows a far different self where warehouses, schools, shanties and even some small manufacturing activities, can be spotted. All these have contributed to undermining the pure and pristine living conditions of this area. Looking around, it should be possible to point to many other such examples where the zoning principle is getting flouted from the arrogance and sheer lack of responsibility on the part of the offenders. Hospitals have been set up on busy roads and the sounds of car honking and other noises are enough to accelerate palpitation of heart patients admitted there. Universities are found in dingy areas side by side with garments factories and other establishments hardly consistent with the need of an academic environment. Court order in individual cases may be useful in addressing such grievances but would be hardly enough to curb and frustrate the malaise widely and effectively. Though belated, any tough policy stand taken by the government from now on against the offenders to push them to relocate elsewhere appropriately and maintenance of vigilance to guard against potential offences, would hold out any prospect for an improvement in the situation.