The Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) has called for planned urbanisation and sustainable development to be established as a national priority, urging political parties and the next elected government to adopt an integrated, evidence-based approach to development.
The call came at a press conference titled Review of the National Parliamentary Election 2026 Manifestos: Planning, Urbanisation and Sustainable Development, held on Sunday at the BIP Conference Hall. The event was chaired by Muhammad Ariful Islam BIP President Planner Dr Muhammad Ariful Islam and moderated by Sheikh Muhammad Mehdi Ahsan BIP Vice President-1 Planner Sheikh Muhammad Mehdi Ahsan.
In his opening remarks, Mehdi Ahsan said Bangladesh could achieve long-term and sustainable development if the election manifestos of political parties were considered and implemented in a coordinated manner. He said development should move beyond project-based interventions and be guided by a comprehensive state vision. He added that the next elected government must reform administrative structures, policy-making processes and implementation systems before launching new development initiatives, noting that planned urbanisation would remain ineffective without such reforms. He also called for an inclusive development plan involving both winning and losing political parties.
Presenting the keynote paper, Ariful Islam described the July Revolution as a milestone in Bangladesh’s democratic history, marking a new beginning for strengthening social, economic and urban development foundations. He said political parties had outlined their development visions and priorities in their manifestos ahead of the 13th national election, with increased attention to urbanisation, infrastructure, housing and transport. BIP welcomed this planning-focused approach, he said, adding that the involvement of professional planners was essential for effective implementation. He noted that successful decentralisation could accelerate Bangladesh’s transition to a developed country and said BIP was ready to support the next government in the national interest.
Salma A Shafi BIP Adviser Planner Salma A Shafi said almost all parties had addressed urban planning in their manifestos, with gaps in one often covered by another. She urged the next government to adopt an integrated action plan in consultation with professional bodies such as BIP, adding that better coordination would make manifesto commitments more realistic.
Farhana Ahmed BIP Vice President-2 Planner Dr Farhana Ahmed warned that unplanned development was degrading the environment and making cities increasingly unliveable. She said all parties acknowledged the need for integrated, environmentally friendly and sustainable urban development, stressing spatial and regional planning and the linkage between economic strategies and planning.
Former BIP President Adil Muhammad Khan Planner Professor Dr Adil Muhammad Khan said planning issues had gained prominence in manifestos but lacked clear action plans on sustainable development and decentralisation. He highlighted the absence of district-based budget roadmaps, uncertainty over whether affordable housing would be Dhaka-centric or nationwide, and excessive bureaucratic dominance in planning. He called for enforceable public transport targets, controls on private vehicles, mandatory effluent treatment plants, direct budget allocations to local governments and equitable funding for marginalised communities.
The event was attended by Shubho Kanti Poddar BIP Board Member Planner Shubho Kanti Poddar Academic Affairs, Talha Tasnim Planner Talha Tasnim National and International Liaison, and other planners.
BIP also outlined 10 recommendations covering national spatial planning, protection of climate-vulnerable regions, tiered land-use planning, affordable housing, civic services, environmental protection, integrated public transport, empowered local government, social justice and the institutionalisation of evidence-based professional planning.
