Real estate developers, architects want repeal of controversial revised Detailed Area Plan
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Loading... - Nithya Ben
- 12 Sep 2024
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The controversy surrounding the recently revised Detailed Area Plan (DAP) for Dhaka has intensified, with real estate developers and architects demanding its repeal, citing provisions they deem discriminatory. On the other hand, urban planners caution that cancelling or suspending the DAP under pressure from vested interests would be disastrous for Dhaka, exacerbating the city’s existing challenges.
Real estate developers, represented by the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), along with architects, have strongly opposed the revised DAP. They argue that the plan is detrimental to the housing sector, claiming it has already brought the industry to a standstill. During a press conference on August 21, REHAB warned that if the DAP is not repealed, the housing crisis will worsen, leading to significant job losses—potentially affecting nearly 4 million people employed in the sector. They called for a return to the Dhaka Metropolitan Building Construction Rules of 2008 and the 2010 Master Plan to maintain the approval of building designs.
In addition to REHAB, the Bangladesh Institute of Architects (BIA) has also voiced opposition, demanding the DAP’s cancellation. They claim the plan was drafted in violation of existing urban planning laws and lacked transparency, as their requests for data and working papers used in drafting the DAP were ignored.
However, urban planners have expressed serious concerns over these demands. Prof. Dr. Adil Mohammed Khan, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), highlighted the pressures faced by authorities from developers and architects. He emphasized that while any master plan might have flaws, these should be addressed through proper technical channels, not by yielding to external pressures. Prof. Adil stressed that abolishing the DAP would only lead to unregulated construction and chaos in Dhaka, further deteriorating the city’s livability, which is already among the lowest in the world.
The Institute for Planning and Development (IPD) also raised alarms over the developers' push to cancel the DAP. In a virtual press conference, IPD representatives underscored the importance of proper urban planning to create a livable city. They warned that repealing the DAP would further threaten Dhaka's livability and urged the interim government and relevant urban bodies to prevent business interests from obstructing sustainable urban development.
In summary, while developers and architects argue that the revised DAP is flawed and harmful to the housing sector, urban planners insist that cancelling the plan would lead to greater chaos and unregulated development, endangering the future of Dhaka as a livable city.
