Integrated plan required for urbanisation
Says Hossain Zillur Rahman
An integrated plan involving economists, architects, town planners, geographers and environmentalists is a prerequisite for planned urbanisation, said Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, adviser to a former caretaker government, yesterday.
He was addressing a book launching programme and seminar on “Flourishing through Ages: Chittagong Shines to Become a Global City†held in the seminar room of BGMEA Bhaban in the port city.
Bangladesh Institute of Planners, Chittagong chapter, and PPRC Chittagong Research Initiative jointly organised the seminar.
Dr Zillur said Bangladesh is being urbanised at a rapid speed but plans and ideas required to build an urbanised country are absent.
Unplanned urbanisation would pose a big problem for Bangladesh, he said, adding, “If we do not start “integrated thinking†regarding the matter, then we will be in big trouble.â€
Architect Zarina Hossain said many building-owners and developers do not abide by the rules and the concerned authority do not look into these irregularities and are not performing their duties properly.
Regarding urbanisation of the port city, she said, “How can we expect to build tunnels and flyovers and many such public amenities, when there are no footpaths on many of the roads?â€
Engineer Ali Ashraf said many issues of the port city like drainage and waste management, a part of planned urbanisation, are still not addressed properly.
Chittagong Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) can only meet one-third of the demand of water in the city, he said, adding that research should be undertaken about different issues of urbanisation of Chittagong.
Vice-chancellor of East Delta University Prof Dr Sikander Khan, among others, was also present at the programme.
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