Green activists, urban planners, and professionals have come together to voice their concerns over the government’s proposed changes to the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) for Dhaka. They argue that the amendments are flawed and could have detrimental effects on the city’s livability.
During a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity, it was highlighted that the government is moving forward with the amendment without considering the input of planners, environmentalists, professionals, and civic organizations. President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), Adil Mohammed Khan, expressed worries that the increase in high-rise buildings as a result of the amendments would strain Dhaka’s already burdened transportation and utility systems, potentially leading to the city’s livability deteriorating.
Adil pointed out that while the DAP was officially gazetted by Rajuk on August 24, 2022, with objectives like area-based population distribution and transit-oriented development, it was amended just a year later in September 2023 to favor business interests. These changes were made without consulting experts, violating the plan’s intended five-year update cycle and undermining sound urban planning principles.
The proposed amendments seek to raise building heights and development intensity in various areas, potentially doubling the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in some instances. Concerns were raised about real estate developers influencing policy decisions and encroaching on natural drainage channels under the guise of development, with the potential consequence of exacerbating congestion and straining civic services.
Adil warned against reckless increases in population density and emphasized that exceeding a density of 200 per acre could lead central Dhaka to become plagued by vertical slums. The plan’s emphasis on block-based development was questioned, as it was argued that raising FAR and unit numbers could exacerbate traffic congestion and overburden civic services.
Multiple organizations, including WBB Trust, the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies, and Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, have submitted recommendations urging the government not to escalate FAR and population density. Despite suggestions from entities like DTCA, UDD, and IEB aligning with these concerns, the government has allegedly favored the demands of real estate developers over the recommendations of experts.
Amidst these discussions, Amirul Rajiv of the Bangladesh Tree Protection Movement emphasized the existing challenges faced by Dhaka in terms of open spaces, walkways, water bodies, and utilities, cautioning that increasing FAR could worsen the city’s situation. Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua highlighted the importance of preserving water bodies and criticized developers for occupying natural drainage channels at the city’s expense.
Environmental activist Ibnul Said Rana stressed the significance of responsible urban planning for sustainable city development, while citizen rights activist Mizanur Rahman underscored the necessity of addressing the basic needs of residents to prevent a deepening crisis. The speakers collectively demanded measures such as halting development in agricultural and wetland areas, taking legal action against encroachments, reducing FAR in affluent neighborhoods, ensuring proper setback distances for air and light, and imposing height restrictions on residential buildings.
Contributions were also made by Firoz Ahmed, a writer and member of the Constitution Reform Commission; Gaus Piari, director of WBB Trust; and Syed Shahriar Amin, vice president of BIP, during the discussion.