How Can We Fix Nation If We Fail to Restore Gulshan-Baridhara Lakes?
Housing and Public Works Minister Jakaria Taher has stressed the imperative of structured urban management across Bangladesh, asserting that national development depends on addressing environmental and structural challenges in elite areas like Gulshan and Baridhara. Speaking as the chief guest at the ‘Smart City Conclave 2026’ in Banani, the Minister framed urban planning as a core national priority. ‘If we cannot properly manage the lakefronts of elite areas like Gulshan and Baridhara, how can we expect to fix the rest of the country?’ Minister Taher questioned, reassuring attendees that systematic remediation efforts are underway under the PM’s direction.
To curb unplanned growth, the government has established six new development authorities over the last seven months, modeled after RAJUK, covering Mymensingh, Sylhet, Comilla, Narayanganj, Rangpur, and Barisal, with plans to add Bogra soon. Furthermore, the Urban Development Directorate (UDD) has launched its inaugural 10-year master plan. ‘This plan will initially target metropolitan cities, before expanding to major regional hubs and eventually down to the upazila level,’ Mr. Taher explained. ‘Executing urban development without a master plan is like closing one’s eyes to shoot four arrows at a single target.’
Addressing ongoing urban enforcement hurdles, Minister Taher noted that non-compliant structures remain widespread even in RAJUK-administered areas like Dhanmondi. The government is currently identifying unapproved buildings, with the PM directly chairing six meetings dedicated to restoring the ecosystems surrounding Gulshan, Banani, and Hatirjheel lakes. Highlighting structural division of labor, the Minister cautioned that relying solely on city corporations without dedicated development authorities creates a risky lack of checks and balances.
Expanding on systemic challenges, RAJUK Chairman Engr. Md. Riazul Islam highlighted that managing Dhaka’s housing, public health, transport, and sanitation needs demands integrated governance across administrative bodies. Pointing to demographic pressure, Islam noted that thousands migrate to Dhaka daily, accelerating informal settlement expansion. ‘We must critically evaluate whether legal enforcement alone can curb slum growth if we cannot first mitigate the rural-to-urban migration flow into the capital,’ Mr. Islam stated.
National Housing Authority Chairman Ferdousi Begum advocated for localized planning tailored to regional geography rather than uniform construction models. ‘Smart housing extends far beyond constructing modern buildings,’ Ms. Begum emphasized, adding that urbanization must account for workplace commute distances, children’s play spaces, safe school access, and senior-friendly walking infrastructure. Supporting this long-term vision, East Coast Group Chairman Azam J. Chowdhury argued that energy supply planning must precede residential development, proposing centralized LPG networks with piped household delivery to eliminate manual cylinder transit.
Real estate and industrial leaders presented practical innovations for sustainable construction at the conclave. ABC Real Estate Managing Director Srabanti Datta urged stakeholders to treat green housing as a necessity rather than a marketing tactic, while Space Zero Limited Managing Director Fayez Ullah noted smart housing relies on optimizing natural light and ventilation over gadgets. Crown Cement Chairman Mohammad Jahangir Alam highlighted that modern high-strength rebar cuts steel usage by 15% to 20%, and Nasir Syntax Group Managing Director Nasim Biswas detailed how specialized architectural glass optimizes lighting and indoor temperatures.
Closing the conclave, academic experts warned against execution failures that have historically derailed past urban plans. Jahangirnagar University Professor Dr. Adil Muhammad Khan stressed that plans require enforcement alongside aligned economic policies, stating, ‘Paper plans mean nothing unless strict standards are enforced.’ BUET Civil Engineering Department Head Professor Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed reinforced this focus on structural integrity, concluding, ‘While qualified professionals generally adhere to building codes during the design phase, the country still severely lacks an effective supervision mechanism during the actual construction process.’
