At the same time, steps are being taken to strengthen the approval process by integrating architectural, structural and electrical plans, while ensuring that buildings are constructed in accordance with approved designs before occupancy certificates are issued.
Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher disclosed the initiatives, saying several measures have already been undertaken to develop urban areas and the housing sector in a more planned manner.
“We are now trying to bring architectural, structural and electrical planning together under a comprehensive planning framework,” he said.
The minister said approval of a building design alone was not enough; authorities also needed to ensure that the approved design was actually followed during construction.
Under the proposed system, he said, designers involved in a project would be required to certify that the completed building had been constructed according to the approved plan before an occupancy certificate was issued.
According to the minister, a number of initiatives concerning urban development and housing management have been underway over the past seven months under the prime minister’s guidance. Proposals from different stakeholders are also being considered for implementation, he said.
The Urban Development Directorate (UDD) has, for the first time, adopted a 10-year plan for urban development, Zakaria said. The plan will gradually cover planned urban development across the country, initially focusing on metropolitan cities and subsequently extending from major cities to upazilas.
He said area-specific master plans would determine zoning based on local needs and potential, including the locations of residential, commercial and other types of development.
“Without a master plan, development is like shooting four arrows at a target and hoping one of them will hit,” the minister said, stressing that planned development required a clear and coordinated framework.
He said the government was therefore prioritising the strengthening of the UDD and expanding its role in urban planning.
The minister also stressed the importance of reliable data for effective planning. Since the country’s latest population census was conducted several years ago, he said, a new and appropriate census was needed to determine the current situation regarding population, settlements, housing and urbanisation.
Such updated data, he added, would provide a stronger basis for future development planning.
Unauthorised Buildings Under Scrutiny
Speaking about building approvals, Zakaria said the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) has approved building plans in Dhanmondi and other areas under its jurisdiction and the Housing and Public Works Ministry.
However, buildings have also been constructed in many areas without approved plans, he said, adding that authorities are working to identify such structures.
The minister said long-term measures had also been taken to protect the environment in Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and Hatirjheel. Prime Minister has held six meetings with relevant stakeholders on the issue, he added.
According to Zakaria, there are around 4,300 houses in Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara. An estimated 70–80 percent of those properties do not have the septic tanks and soak wells that were supposed to be installed during construction.
He also alleged that many prominent private developers had constructed buildings without installing sewage treatment plants, or STPs, for waste management.
Several meetings have been held with the Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara societies to raise awareness and address the issue, he said. Officials including the Rajuk chairman, the housing and public works state minister, the state minister for local government and the managing director of Dhaka WASA attended those meetings.
“Gulshan and Baridhara are important and specialised areas of the country. If we cannot protect the water bodies and environment of these areas, improving environmental management across the country will become even more difficult,” Zakaria said.
Six New Development Authorities
The government has also formed six new development authorities in Mymensingh, Sylhet, Cumilla, Narayanganj, Rangpur and Barishal over the past seven months, following the model of Rajuk, the minister said.
Four development authorities had already existed, he added, while similar initiatives are being considered for Bogura and other areas.
Zakaria said that where no development authority exists, city corporations often have to approve and implement building plans themselves, potentially creating a lack of effective checks and balances.
He cited parts of Dhaka as examples, saying that in some areas, including Basila, building plans had been approved at the union-level.
The government is working to bring such practices under a comprehensive legal framework, he said.
New Rules for Building Violations
The minister said new regulations were also being drafted to address buildings constructed without approval or structures that deviate from approved designs.
The draft could be placed before the Cabinet within a month, he said, expressing hope that once approved, the regulations would allow building construction and monitoring laws to be enforced more effectively.
Zakaria also highlighted the need for long-term financing to expand housing opportunities for middle- and lower-middle-income families.
Financial institutions have an important role to play in this regard, he said, noting that many developed countries offer mortgage facilities with repayment periods of up to 30 years.
“Without a long-term financing mechanism of this kind, it will be difficult to ensure housing on a large scale in Bangladesh,” he said.
The government would support the private sector if it comes forward with initiatives in this area, he added.
Changes in Private Housing Policy
The minister also said the government had revised policies governing private housing projects following consultations with relevant stakeholders.
Under the new policy, private housing projects will have to be implemented within prescribed plans and conditions. Approval of subsequent projects will also depend partly on whether previous projects were implemented properly, he said.
The government is also working to bring the private housing sector more firmly within a legal framework to curb unplanned urbanisation, Zakaria said.
Dhaka Ranks 171st Among 173 Cities
Referring to Dhaka’s liveability, the minister said the capital ranked 171st among 173 cities globally, underscoring the scale of the challenges facing the city.
Making Dhaka more liveable would require simultaneous action across multiple sectors, he said. However, the task is difficult because of the city’s high population density.
Success would depend on proper planning and coordinated participation from different sectors, he added.
Referring to World Habitat Day observed on October 5, Zakaria said the prime minister had also highlighted Bangladesh’s housing realities and challenges.
Ensuring safe and sustainable housing for all citizens is more challenging in a densely populated country like Bangladesh than in many developed nations, he said.
“Yet, to survive with dignity in a competitive world, we must confront these challenges and move forward,” the minister said.
He stressed that the government would make every effort to protect the environment, promote planned urbanisation and implement people-friendly housing policies.
At the same time, he said, public awareness and responsible participation were equally important.
“If people change their way of thinking and play their respective roles, it will be possible to build planned, safe and liveable cities,” Zakaria said.
