The Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) has called on political parties and the upcoming government to prioritize planned urbanization, sustainable development, and professional planning in national policy. This call comes after a review of the election manifestos ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
Sheikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan, Vice President-1 of BIP, emphasized that sustainable development in Bangladesh cannot rely solely on isolated project-based efforts. He stressed the importance of integrating a national vision and implementing reforms in administrative structures, policymaking processes, and implementation mechanisms.
During a press conference at the BIP Conference Hall in Dhaka, Dr. Muhammad Ariful Islam, President of BIP, presented a keynote paper highlighting the opportunity for enhancing social, economic, and urban development following the July uprising. He noted that political parties have increasingly recognized planning-related issues such as urbanization, infrastructure, housing, and transport in their manifestos.
Dr. Ariful emphasized the necessity of involving professional planners in translating manifesto commitments into tangible actions. He also underscored decentralization as a crucial strategy for advancing Bangladesh towards becoming a developed nation and expressed BIP’s willingness to assist the next government in the national interest.
Former BIP President Prof Adil Muhammad Khan pointed out that while planning issues have gained more attention in manifestos, there is still ambiguity regarding sustainable development, decentralization, and the absence of clear roadmaps for district-based budget allocation and development in underdeveloped regions. He urged the need for concrete implementation plans for achieving public transport goals, managing private vehicles, and enforcing effluent treatment plants (ETPs) to mitigate industrial pollution.
BIP adviser Salma A Shafi highlighted that although most parties addressed urban planning concerns in their manifestos, the specific issues varied. Dr. Farhana Ahmed, Vice President-2 of BIP, suggested that manifestos should have placed more emphasis on spatial and region-based planning, as well as aligning economic strategies with development plans.
BIP put forward 10 key recommendations, including drafting national and regional spatial plans, preserving agricultural land, promoting affordable housing, enhancing public transport systems, revitalizing rivers and water bodies, strengthening local government institutions, and ensuring social justice and inclusion. The organization also advocated for evidence-based, data-driven planning led by professional planners rather than relying on political promises.
