The first-ever development master plan for Gaibandha municipality was unveiled on Wednesday at a programme in Dhaka. 

Kazi Wasi Uddin, secretary of the housing and public works ministry, unveiled the master plan jointly developed by the Urban Development Directorate, BRAC’s Urban Development Programme, and Gaibandha municipality in a discussion on “Financing Inclusive Urban Planning and Development” at the BRAC Centre in the capital, marking World Cities Day. 

Speaking as the chief guest, Wasi Uddin said, “The government is actively engaged in constructing planned cities throughout the country, with rural areas striving to offer urban amenities. 

“We have taken initiatives to facilitate the development of planned cities across the country, encouraging planning even when someone in a village wishes to construct a house.”

He added that the Gaibandha plan stands as an exemplary model. “Let us take BRAC as a trailblazer. We will also involve other stakeholders in this endeavour. Through our collective efforts, the country will make substantial progress.”

Urban Development Directorate Director Khurshid Zabin Hossain Taufique said, “This year's World Cities Day celebration holds significant meaning. We have experience in government-level planning, but in the case of Gaibandha, it was accomplished through a coordinated effort between the government and the non-governmental organisations (NGOs).” 

BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh said, “We all need to fundamentally reorient our development thinking on urbanisation as people are moving to the cities for climate adaptation and aspirational reasons.

“Gaibandha urban plan is one step towards that. But the real success will come when this plan gets executed, and seeing the success of this, other cities also adopt a more planned approach. When good urban planning and political will come together, we can see great things happen.”

Gaibandha municipality Mayor Md Matlubour Rahman said, “Gaibandha, a municipality with a history spanning over a century, is vulnerable to climate-induced disasters. It has become a sheltering place for displaced people, which is why there are many slums in the area. 

“For having a lack of structured planning in the areas, the municipality mayor could not construct lines for drainage, water and other basic utilities.”

He urged the government to publish a gazette on the master plan and take steps to implement it. 

Naila Ahmed, joint secretary at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, and Meer Ahemed Tariqul Omar, deputy chief at the Planning Commission, attended the event among others.

The discussion was moderated by Md Liakath Ali, director of the Climate Change Programme, Urban Development Programme, and Disaster Risk Management Programme at BRAC.