Local Government and Rural Development Minister Md Tajul Islam has said that the government is thinking of appointing one planner each in the concerned institutions including municipalities to form a planned country.
He made the statement while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of the International Conference on Urban and Regional Planning-2021 organized by Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) at Bangabandhu International Conference Center on Saturday.
The minister said that planned country is required for planned development.
“Therefore, the participation of planners is undeniable. Everything has to be done in a planned manner for sustainable development. Failure to follow the city-town-village plan will make it difficult to meet future challenges,” he said.
He added that along with the economic development of the country, the quality of life of the people has also improved.
“Naturally new challenges will emerge now. There is no substitute for planning to ensure more civic services using less land. For this purpose, the government will take steps to appoint planners where necessary including municipality,” he added.
Noting the role of urban planners to form a planned country, the local government minister said that it is the responsibility of the urban planners to decide where residential and commercial areas, school-college, clinic-hospital, playground and recreation center would be located.
He further said that unplanned infrastructure is being built everywhere in villages and towns.
The minister urged all concerned including urban planners and architects to take responsibility for this.
Tajul said that after reviewing the reports of the municipalities in which chief executive officers (CEOs) have been appointed, it has been observed that the revenue of the municipality has increased and unprecedented success has been achieved in various sectors.
He also said that transparency and accountability have increased in these institutions.
Local Government Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed was present as the special guest at the function presided over by BIP President Prof Dr Akter Mahmud.
Md Atiqul Islam, Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, and Johannes Schneider, Head of German Development Corporation were present as guests of honor.
