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Focus Group Discussion on “Decentralisation & Environmental Welfare of the Capital: Towards a Sustainable Dhaka”
Due to climate change, unplanned urbanization, river encroachment and pollution, environmental degradation, excessive use of polythene, and unbearable traffic congestion, living in the capital Dhaka is becoming increasingly intolerable and speakers urged for nationwide sustainable development for decentralising Dhaka in an effective manner. Stakeholders told these at a focus group discussion titled “Decentralisation & Environmental Welfare of the Capital: Towards a Sustainable Dhaka” organized by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) held at DCCI auditorium on August 23, 2025. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Honourable Adviser, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GoB and Engineer Md. Reazul Islam, Chairman of RAJUK were present as the chief guest and special guest respectively.
DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed, in his welcome remarks, said that Dhaka alone contributes 45% to the national GDP, but according to a BUET study conducted in 2022, traffic congestion in Dhaka alone causes a daily loss of working-hour equivalent to Taka 140 Crore. In order to reduce Dhaka’s pressure and ensure decentralisation, he stressed the need to transform the adjacent areas of Dhaka into secondary cities for administrative and commercial purposes. He opined that there is no alternative but to have coordinated initiatives from both public and private sector to make Dhaka a livable and sustainable megacity.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Honourable Adviser, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GoB said that it is extremely difficult to control the increasing trend of Dhaka’s population but we need to take initiative to stop this flow. She also suggested that decntralisation is needed but it is also very important to ensure the development of livability of adjacent cities of Dhaka like Savar, Narayangong, Gazipur as a priority. This move will reduce pressure in Dhaka. There are a lot of housing projects in Dhaka but still there are thousands of homeless people. We know that for river erosion and other effects of climate change, people are heading towards the capital for their survival. She said that the changes should come from the society first. She later requested the mass people to avoid polythene and use alternative environment friendly bags. She also called upon the industrialists to be more conscious about the environment. Government is also working to make the CETP of Savar tannery functioning. For the sake of environmental safety of Dhaka government has taken initiative of dismantling old buses. Without concerted efforts we cannot improve the air quality of Dhaka, she said.
Engr. Md. Reazul Islam, Chairman of RAJUK said that to build a sustainable Dhaka, at first, we need to make the entire country sustainable. Unfortunately, we failed to achieve that goal as there is still no real alternative to the capital as a primary source of employment. As a result, the pressure on Dhaka is constantly rising and is unlikely to decrease in the future. He stressed that there is no alternative to an integrated development plan for Dhaka and proposed that all types of development activities should be brought under one authority to ensure accountability.
Presenting the keynote paper, Architect Iqbal Habib, Founder Partner, Vitti Sthapati Brindo Ltd., Vice President, Safety Awareness Foundation (SAF) said that although 32% of the country’s urban population lives in Dhaka, the city faces an alarming shortage of greenery and increasing heat stress, making life here increasingly difficult. He also said that over-centralization has caused growing problems such as flooding, waterlogging, poor waste mismanagement, urban pollution, and public health crises. To ensure river protection, he recommended enhancing the institutional and legal capacity of the River Commission. He stressed on balanced urbanization and improvement of rural livelihoods for Dhaka’s decentralization. He also suggested to implement the proposed ring roads surrounding Dhaka considering them as major communication corridors.
Dr. Adil Mohammed Khan, President of Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) said that Dhaka’s development must be extended beyond the metropolitan area, and to harness the economic potential of marginal areas we need to take effective development initiatives and implement them accordingly.
Liakat Ali Bhuiyan, Senior Vice President, Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) noted that unbearable traffic congestion is caused by both mechanized and non-mechanized vehicles on Dhaka’s roads, requiring urgent solutions. He stressed the need to establish satellite cities outside the capital with all civil amenities, where the private sector could be engaged.
M. Abu Horaira, former Vice President of DCCI said that Dhaka is heading towards destruction due to the influx of people every day in search of livelihoods and basic needs, hence decentralization is the only way forward.
Prof. Dr. Md. Shamsul Hoque, Professor, Dept of Civil Engineering, BUET said that instead of improving the public transport system, the focus has been too much on mega projects, leading to rising costs without delivering tangible benefits to people. He called for structural reforms in the planning framework for integrated national development.
Dilbahar Ahmed, Geographer & Urban Planner, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) stated that DNCC has already reclaimed 125 km of canals and planted trees, while working to implement the Regional Development Plan and create employment opportunities outside Dhaka.
Md. Ashraful Islam, Chief Town Planner of RAJUK mentioned that although proposals for three ring roads to decentralize Dhaka exist, they have not been implemented yet. He urged effective planning and execution to transform Savar and Gazipur into satellite cities to ease Dhaka’s pressure.
Kazi Golam Nasir, former Chief Architect of Department of Architecture, Ministry of Housing and Public Affairs stressed that Dhaka’s 1,528 sq. km requires national-level integrated planning rather than fragmented approaches.
Md. Zahirul Islam, Director, Department of Environment (DoE) said that the causes of waterlogging in Dhaka are well identified, but long-term planning is needed for real solutions. He pointed out that excessive polythene use is a major reason for Dhaka’s waterlogging, urging citizens to step forward with civic responsibility to reduce polythene consumption.
DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, members of the board of Directors stakeholders from relevant sectors were also present during the discussion.
Published on: 2025-08-23