Unplanned urbanisation and industrialisation are destroying vital agricultural land across Bangladesh, Adviser to Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Adilur Rahman Khan warned.
On Saturday, he said this during inauguration of three-day 4th International Conference on Urban and Regional Planning, organized by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building of Dhaka University.
"Various public and private institutions are currently developing individual plans independently. We must implement National Spatial Plan to protect agricultural land and environment," Adilur Rahman Khan told attendees at Bangladesh Institute of Planners' (BIP) 4th International Conference.
He highlighted worrying population density statistics, noting Bangladesh has 11.8 people per hectare compared to significantly lower ratios in neighbouring countries: China (1.48), Japan (3.26), Malaysia (1.05), Saudi Arabia (0.16), Thailand (1.40) and Sri Lanka (3.32).
"Formulation and implementation of National Spatial Plan is urgently required for Bangladesh. Spatial planning is essential to effectively utilise economic infrastructure," he emphasised.
Environmental Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, who inaugurated the conference stressed that the legal frameworks alone cannot protect environment, fundamental change in mindset and values is needed.
"Every ministry must operate in environmentally friendly manner. Input from Ministry of Agriculture must be considered when approving housing projects, and cross-sectoral impacts must be incorporated in urban planning," she insisted.
She added biodiversity faces serious threats due to poor management, criticising tendency to blame labourers without holding actual hill encroachers accountable.
Conference, themed "Spatial Planning for Inclusive Development of Urban, Regional, and Rural Areas," features participation from 35 international delegates representing 15 countries including United States, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
At least 60 papers will be presented during three-day event, which aims to facilitate knowledge exchange between planners, professionals, academics, researchers and policymakers focused on urban, regional and rural development.
