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Unplanned initiatives, lack of autonomy, transparency and accountability are major obstacles in the transition from the least developed countries (LDCs). To ensure sustainable urbanization, initiatives such as a master plan should be taken.
The master plan will be inclusive and safe for the city and its people. The demand was made at a parallel session of the 8th Urban Dialogue 2024 held at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University on Tuesday, reads a press release.
The parallel session was jointly organized by ActionAid Bangladesh and United Purpose with the theme “Private Sector in Resilience Urban Development Towards LDC Graduation.”
The session discussed the private sector's contribution to the post-LDC urban development, challenges, and actions.
ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir moderated the panel discussion. Former MP Selima Ahmad, FBCCI Safety Council Advisor Brig Gen (retd) Abu Nayeem Md Shahidullah and ZM International CEO Zakir Uddin Ahmed. Disaster risk management and climate change expert A M Nasir Uddin presented the keynote report at the session.
Selima Ahmad, a former member of parliament, said the government administration should plan for the development of the city. “Urban development is the development of the people. We must give the next generation a healthy, sustainable, and safe city. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has done a lot for the development of the city.
“This improvement needs to be sustained. We must build an inclusive city for all, including women, men, the third gender, children and the especially abled. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a timely master plan and investment framework.”
Zakir Uddin Ahmed, chief executive officer of ZM International, said there is no alternative to smart technology in building smart cities.
“To build a sustainable smart city, we need smart management. There will be a proper surveillance system, smart parking management, proper traffic management system, smart street light management system and proper waste management system. Technology should help people. So that people can continue to receive services safely.”
Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, called for acting and formulating plans for urban development by addressing the impact of climate change.
"There are laws in the country, but they are not implemented effectively. To develop a safe city or city, we need the coordination and political will of all, including government and non-government organizations, and development agencies. At present, the way the climate is affected, we must move on the path of planned development.”
A total of six recommendations were made at the session. These are — ensuring digital and smart monitoring of inclusive basic urban services, proper implementation of laws for planned and sustainable urbanization, preparing master plan for “Our village, Our city”, planning housing projects at the marginal level because of decentralized industrialization, planned and safe rehabilitation and stopping unplanned evictions, and providing job or service-based training to urban people.
The “8th Urban Dialogue-2024” dialogue was jointly organized by the Department of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience of DU and the Urban INGO Forum, a consortium of 20 international non-governmental development organizations. ActionAid Bangladesh co-hosted the program.
