The expansion of Dhaka city has not been matched by our urban vision, institutional capacity, or urban laws and regulations, she says

TDS Desk:

Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has criticised Dhaka’s urban planning, stating that the city’s growth has not been accompanied by adequate institutional capacity or policy frameworks.

“I don’t know if anyone has ever thought about Dhaka after independence. The expansion of Dhaka city has not been matched by our urban vision, institutional capacity, or urban laws and regulations,” the adviser said at a seminar today (28 September).

“We are still managing Dhaka city by ignoring all these aspects,” she added.

The seminar titled “Spatial and Temporal Changes in Dhaka City’s Urban Ecosystem, Landscape and Biodiversity over the Past 100 Years and Formulation of Strategic Action Plan” was held at Bon Bhaban in Dhaka’s Agargaon.

Rizwana, also the water resources adviser, further pointed out the shortcomings of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), saying, “RAJUK has taken over various areas from time to time, but we have never considered whether it has the capacity or manpower to control such a vast area.

“The RAJUK board needs to be changed, which currently lacks essential professionals such as urban planners.”

Highlighting the rapid expansion of Dhaka, she said, “In the last 100 years (1921-2025), Dhaka’s size has expanded from 24 square kilometres to 1,528 square kilometres.

“However, our institutional capacity has not grown in line with this expansion. If we ask whether our administrative strength has kept pace, the answer is simply ‘no.’ We have not evaluated whether institutions can maintain this growth.”

She also emphasised the need for interim government measures to address the city’s water bodies, proposing a “blue network” plan that could be designed in 3-4 months.

She stressed that the community must be responsible for its implementation.

Rizwana further criticised RAJUK’s inefficiency in protecting water bodies, asking why they do not conduct regular enforcement drives.

She noted that many reservoirs have been categorised incorrectly in the new Detailed Area Plan (DAP), which requires urgent correction.

She called for stronger community empowerment to maintain Dhaka as a livable city without constantly inviting more people.

Highlighting the destruction of forests in areas like Purbachal, she stressed the importance of increasing forest areas and reservoirs now before it’s too late.