Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies
The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a seminar titled “Making Cities Sustainable: Challenges and Imperatives for Bangladesh” on 27 June 2024 at the BIISS auditorium. R A M Obaidul Muqtadir Chowdhury, MP, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Housing and Public Works, graced the event as Chief Guest. Major General Md Abu Bakar Siddique Khan, ndc, afwc, psc, G+, Director General of BIISS, delivered the welcome remarks, while Dr. Segufta Hossain, Research Director, BIISS, presented the keynote paper. The session featured an engaging panel discussion with urban experts including Professor Nazrul Islam, Ishita Alam Abonee, and Professor Dr. Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed.
Speakers emphasised that sustainable urbanisation is essential for Bangladesh’s development, given rapid urban growth and related challenges such as traffic congestion, pollution, and poor city management. They highlighted the government’s proactive steps under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, aligned with the targets of SDG 11. Participants recommended adopting modern technologies and global best practices to ensure sustainable and livable cities across Bangladesh. The seminar drew active participation from policymakers, diplomats, academics, researchers, and students who contributed valuable insights during the open discussion.
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a seminar titled “Making Cities Sustainable: Challenges and Imperatives for Bangladesh” on Thursday, 27 June 2024 at the BIISS auditorium. R A M Obaidul Muqtadir Chowdhury, MP, honourable Minister, Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Bangladesh, graced the programme as chief guest. Major General Md Abu Bakar Siddique Khan, ndc, afwe, psc, G+, Director General, BIISS, delivered the welcome address. Dr. Segufta Hossain, Research Director, BIISS, presented the keynote paper. The keynote discussion was followed by a panel discussion. The panelists: Professor Nazrul Islam, Professor Emeritus, Dhaka University and chairman, Centre for Urban Studies (CUS); Ishita Alam Abonee, Urban Development Specialist, the World Bank; and Professor Dr Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed, Professor, Department of Architecture, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). An open discussion took place after their deliberation. Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker, Chairman, BIISS, moderated the session and wrapped up with his remarks.
The speakers noted that building sustainable cities has become a priority in many regions worldwide. Rapid urbanisation and infrastructural progress coupled with rural-urban migration have created many problems impacting nature, human lives and resources in cities. As a developing nation, Bangladesh also faces such problems. Major cities of Bangladesh suffer from various management challenges including traffic, waterlogging, air-water-soil pollution, and earthquake risks. Planned and sustainable urbanisation is one of the crucial preconditions for economic development and Bangladesh recognises this need as illustrated in the SDG-11. The government under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s prudent leadership, has taken up a range of initiatives aligned with the targets of SDG 11 and is working tirelessly to achieve that. The Ministry of Housing and Public Works (MoHPW) remains at the forefront of the government’s efforts. Speakers and panelists suggested using modern technologies and learning from the best practices of other megacities to resolve the pressing urban challenges and promote sustainable development across Bangladesh. Senior officials from different ministries, diplomatic missions, media, researchers, academics, businesspeople, representatives from different think tanks and international organisations, and students from various universities participated in the seminar and enriched it by presenting their valuable opinions, comments, suggestions, and observations during the open discussion session.
