Govt plans 10-year city-specific urban development drive: Housing minister

Highlights

• Six new development authorities already established
• Dhaka lacks reliable population data for planning
• Building regulations to target unapproved construction
• Energy planning urged before urban development

The government is preparing a 10-year urban development plan covering metropolitan cities, large cities and eventually upazilas, Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher said today (7 October).

Bangladesh needs city-specific master plans and stronger development authorities to manage rapid urbanisation and unplanned construction, he said at the Smart City Conclave 2026 organised by Bonik Barta at Sheraton Dhaka in Banani.

Taher said, "Through the Urban Development Directorate (UDD), we have taken a plan for the first time that spans nearly 10 years.

"Under this plan, we are initially working with metropolitan cities. Then, starting from large cities, we will work to prepare proper master plans even at the upazila level. We will undertake zoning where what should be located.

"We want to work precisely. That is why we are strengthening the UDD," he added.

Six new development authorities formed

The government has established six new development authorities over the past seven months, covering Mymensingh, Sylhet, Cumilla, Narayanganj, Rangpur and Barishal, the minister said.

Four development authorities already existed, while work is also underway to establish one for Bogura, he said.

"Without a development authority, we see city corporations themselves providing plans and carrying out the work. There is no check and balance there. We are trying to bring everyone under a comprehensive legal framework," he added.

The government is also preparing regulations for buildings constructed without approved plans or in violation of approved plans.

"A regulation is being prepared. Work is underway on it. It may go to the cabinet within a month," Taher said, adding that its approval would strengthen the law and increase supervision.

Dhaka population data remains unclear

Rajuk Chairman Md Riazul Islam said reliable population data remained a major challenge to planning Dhaka.

"We know the capital, the DAP area and the available facilities. But in reality, we do not know how many people live here. Some say two crore, some say three crore," he said.

He said planners also had to consider daily migration to Dhaka and the growth of new slums.

"We cannot prepare plans here based on the models of Europe, America or Australia. They have sufficient land, and they have all kinds of facilities. We have to prepare plans based on the reality of our country," he said. 

Energy planning needed alongside urban growth

East Coast Group Chairman Azam J Chowdhury called for energy infrastructure to be planned alongside urban development.

"Before developing each sector, there needs to be an energy plan for it," he said.

He proposed treating different sectors of a city as a single development cluster, with a central LPG storage facility supplying households through connections instead of cylinders.

Other sessions discussed domestic construction capacity, smart and green housing, housing finance, sustainable urbanisation, and the potential of LPG and solar power.

The day-long conclave brought together policymakers, planners, engineers, experts, businesses and representatives of public and private organisations. Bonik Barta Editor and Publisher Dewan Hanif Mahmud moderated the event.