‘Incorporate country’s planning, dev issues in polls manifestoes’

Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) today demanded the political parties to incorporate planning and development issues of the country in their election manifestoes ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election.

BIP leaders came up with the demand at a press conference held at BIP Conference Hall in Dhaka.

They also demanded preparing a masterplan for land use for the entire country to stop unplanned urbanisation and protect agricultural lands.

“Currently 30 percent people live in urban area but by 2040 some 50 percent people will start living in urban areas, for which proper and planned utilisation of every inch of land is very important,” said Dr AKM Abul Kalam, president of BIP.

He also said that considering the reality a separate ministry for “City Development and Planning” is very important to give proper attention to planning and development of both rural and urban areas.

General Secretary of BIP Dr Adil Mohammed Khan said Bangladesh is committed to achieve Sustainable Development Goal by 2030 and to achieve some of its particular goals, land use planning in national, regional and local level is very important.

Underscoring the need for city governance, Adil said “City Governance” is very important in all divisional cities in order to ensure coordinated and effective planning, development and development management.

They also urged the authorities to ensure Bus Rapid Transit system and to place more importance on waterways and railways to reduce traffic congestion in different cities.