President calls for adequate, affordable and safe housing for all

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday called for ensuring adequate, affordable and safe housing for all to achieve sustainable development goals.

“Ensuring quality and affordable housing for all is one of the key prerequisites for inclusive development. So, it is essential to ensure liveable, affordable, safe and environmentally sustainable housing for all to ensure the fundamental constitutional rights of citizens and achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.

The President made this remark in a message issued othe occasion of ‘World Habitat Day-2026’, scheduled to be held tomorrow. 

In the message, the President welcomed the government’s initiative to observe ‘World Habitat Day-2026’ in Bangladesh with due dignity, like other countries across the world.

The President said, “Cities are not merely places of residence equipped with civic amenities. Across the world, cities have become centres of employment, economy, culture, education and innovation. Consequently, planned and environment-friendly urbanisation is essential for sustainable development.”

“Urban areas in developing countries like Bangladesh are constantly facing new challenges, including growing population pressure, traffic congestion, severe pollution and inadequate and substandard housing,” he added.

In this context, he said the theme of this year’s day observance ‘Adequate Housing for All’, is highly significant.

He noted that safe, affordable, pollution-free, adequate and dignified housing remains one of the fundamental needs of human beings.

“The housing crisis in the country is becoming increasingly acute due to rapid urbanisation, population growth, high land prices and the impacts of climate change. This housing crisis is even more severe for low-income people,” he added.

The President reiterated the current government’s firm resolve to ensuring the housing for all and inclusive urban development.

“I hope the government's initiatives in areas such as housing initiatives for disadvantaged people, construction of climate-resilient infrastructure, proper enforcement of safe building codes, proper land use, smart and sustainable urban management, and inclusive governance will play a significant role in expanding civic services,” he said.

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In this regard, he urged the collective participation of government, semi-government and private stakeholders, civil society, professionals, researchers and the younger generation.

Wishing success to all programmes undertaken on the occasion of the day, the President said well-planned urbanisation and responsible management could help addressing the challenges the country facing and realising the dream of building a liveable and humane Bangladesh.