Adviser to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works Adilur Rahman Khan stated that the government is working to halt urbanisation using agricultural land.
He said, “Our agricultural land is decreasing. Therefore, initiatives have been taken to prevent urbanisation using farmland outside the capital and to curb unplanned acquisition of agricultural land. For this purpose, a law to preserve agricultural land is being formulated.”
He made these remarks on Saturday at a discussion event organised at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
The workshop, titled “Affordable and Inclusive Housing for Low-Income Groups in Dhaka: Design Research Presentation and Discussion,” was organised by the faculty members of BUET’s Architecture Department’s Design Studio-8 and the 2019 batch.
During the event, Adilur Rahman Khan said, “There is no more space for plots in Dhaka. The government is working to improve connectivity with surrounding districts so that people can return after work in Dhaka.”
He further added, “Our urbanisation is Dhaka-centric. But it must be extended to rural areas. Implementing this through proper planning will ensure that the benefits of development reach people at all levels across the country.”
He also emphasised the importance of urban planning to create a well-structured housing system for low-income groups.
Adilur Rahman Khan mentioned that the previous “discriminatory” rules regarding the allocation of government plots have been abolished following the uprising. He said, “Earlier, after assuming office, ministers, advisors, and high-ranking government officials were allotted plots. But now, apart from lottery draws, RAJUK or the housing authorities cannot allocate any plots.”
Other speakers at the seminar included BUET Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Badruzzaman, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Abdul Hasib Chowdhury, and Architecture Department’s Prof Dr Shayer Ghafur, among others.