Halt the DAP amendment

We are deeply concerned by the government's move to amend Dhaka's Detailed Area Plan (DAP), which experts say will further undermine the capital's liveability. At a recent press conference, urban planners, environmentalists, and civic groups urged the authorities to suspend the amendment process, warning that it would intensify overcrowding and strain the city's already fragile infrastructure. The proposed amendments would reportedly increase the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) across many neighbourhoods, doubling building heights and density in several areas. While this may benefit developers, it would allow taller, denser buildings without corresponding upgrades in transport, drainage, and utility systems. In a city already ranked as the third least liveable in the world, such decisions could push Dhaka to the brink of collapse.

The current DAP, gazetted in August 2022, was formulated to ensure balanced population distribution, promote transit-oriented development, and implement sustainable block-based planning. However, within a year, it was revised to favour commercial interests, violating its five-year review cycle. Yet, real estate developers and many architects continued to demand further revision after last year's political changeover. Clearly, real estate developers support a higher FAR because it allows them to build larger structures and earn greater profits. In contrast, urban planners and other experts see FAR as a crucial tool to control population density, ensure that construction aligns with available utilities and public services, protect residents' quality of life, and preserve the environment. Therefore, the government's apparent disregard for expert advice and yielding to pressure from real estate developers and architects is quite disappointing.

Dhaka is already struggling with a shortage of open spaces, walkways, water bodies, and basic utilities due to overpopulation and unplanned urbanisation. If the amendments are approved, developers could raise building heights by two to four additional storeys, pushing population density in some areas to 50,000 people per square kilometre, which is far beyond global standards for liveable megacities. Experts also opined that these repeated revisions to the DAP are self-destructive and undermine sound urban planning practices.

We, therefore, urge the government to resist the influence of real estate developers and prioritise the long-term well-being of Dhaka's residents. It should thoroughly review and address the concerns raised by urban planners and experts before finally approving the DAP amendments. Moreover, any city planning must be guided by expert knowledge and coordinated under the National Spatial Plan to manage population density and infrastructure effectively. Without such a responsible and forward-looking plan, any amendment to the DAP will only deepen Dhaka's crisis, further diminishing its liveability and jeopardising its future as a sustainable city.