Rapid urbanisation and rural-urban migration is affecting nature, human lives, and resources. Major cities in Bangladesh, including Dhaka and Chattogram, face management challenges such as traffic, waterlogging, pollution, and earthquake risks.
As building sustainable cities has become a priority in many regions worldwide, planned and sustainable urbanisation is essential for economic development in Bangladesh, aligning with SDG-11.
Experts recommended using modern technologies and learning from the best practices of other megacities to resolve the pressing urban challenges and promote sustainable development across Bangladesh.
Experts said these at a seminar titled “Making Cities Sustainable: Challenges and Imperatives for Bangladesh” organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) at its auditorium on Thursday.
Housing and Public Works RAM Obaidul Muqtadir Chowdhury graced the programme as chief guest while BIISS Director General Md Abu Bakar Siddique Khan delivered the welcome address.
BIISS Research Director Segufta Hossain presented the keynote paper and BIISS Chairman AFM Gousal Azam Sarker moderated the session.
RAM Obaidul Muqtadir Chowdhury said, “The government under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s prudent leadership, has taken up a range of initiatives aligned with the targets of SDG 11 and is working tirelessly to achieve that.
“The Ministry of Housing and Public Works (MoHPW) remains at the forefront of the government’s efforts.”
Dhaka University Emeritus Professor and Centre for Urban Studies (CUS) Chairman Nazrul Islam said, “Planned and sustainable urbanisation is one of the crucial preconditions for economic development.
“Major cities of Bangladesh suffer from various management challenges including traffic, waterlogging, air-water-soil pollution, and earthquake risks.”
The keynote discussion was followed by a panel discussion. The panelists Ishita Alam Abonee, Urban Development Specialist, the World Bank and Prof Dr Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed, Department of Architecture, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
An open discussion followed their presentations, with senior officials from various ministries, diplomatic missions, media, researchers, academics, businesspeople, think tank representatives, international organisations, and university students participating.
