Urban experts on Saturday said that an effective decentralisation policy must be taken to make Dhaka a livable city.
Besides, implementation of exiting law and coordination among the authorities concerned and stakeholders is a must to provide all sorts of services to the city dwellers, they said.
The said these at a seminar on ‘How Much livable Our Dhaka Is?’ at the National Press Club in the capital on Saturday. Nagar Unnayan Sangbadik Forum (Urban Development Journalists’ Association) arranged the event.
“The plans which are being taken for develop the city, is not coordinated and integrated. Based on a certain group, the plans are being framed. And even the experts engaged in urban development project, are not accountable and transparent. And thus is making the overall development project quandary,” said Salahuddin Ahmed, a professor of BUET.
He also said true experts are not being installed in the projects taken for urban development.
In his speech, RAJUK Chief Engineer Abdul Latif Helali said, “Dhaka is the 20th most earthquake vulnerable city in the world. If a medium earthquake occurs, it will turn a serious disaster.”
“Rajuk is working to identify risky buildings,” Abdul Latif said, adding that their manpower and expertise are not enough for this.
Secretary General of Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) Dr Adil Mohammad Khan presented the keynote paper.
In his presentation, Adil said that decentralisation policy, implementation of existing law, coordination among the utility provider organisations, taking right urban planning, implementing projects in due time and approval of ‘National Urban Policy’ are the key to make Dhaka city livable.
Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Atiqul Islam said that safe city and safe food are big challenge whereas City Corporation is working relentlessly to overcome those challenge.
He said, “City Corporation is working on disciplined public transport system and waste management system.We will set up central dumping system at every new wards in DNCC.”
Apart from authorities concerned, the Mayor urged the city dwellers to become responsible for making Dhaka livable.
He announced May 24 as ‘Safe City Day’. It is mentionable that four years ago, City Development Journalists Association was established in the day and this is the first time May 24 announced as Safe City Day.
Earlier, members of the platform and urban experts took part in a procession demanding safe city for healthy living.
