[urban management program city paper : rajshahi city, bangladesh]

Welcome

Ahmmad Zaman TariqUrban Development Specialist

Bangladesh Municipal Development FundDhaka, Bangladesh

aztariqmt@yahoo.com, www.bmdf-bd.org

Rajshahi is the fourth largest metropolitan city located in northern region of Bangladesh.

Became administrative headquarters in 1825

Gained municipal status in 1876 during British reign and finally achieved the status of City Corporation in 1987.

Secondary Town in urban Hierarchy

Introduction

Rajshahi town has an area of 96.69 sq. km. But the City Corporation has 48.06 sq. km.

No of wards (smallest administrative units) : 30

Population : In RCC area 383,655 (2001),449,786 (2011), 475,465 (2014).

Growth rate

1.6%

Introduction

Population Density : 9,893/sq.km in RCC

Primary Urban FunctionDivisional Headquarter

Administrative

Educational

Health

Trade of agro products

Urban Land Use

Residential (33%)

Agricultural (19%)

Vacant land (11%)

Education (11%)

Water body (12%)

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Introduction

Urban ManagementNo. of autonomous development agencies

RDARCC

DPHE

LGED

BWDBUDD

WASA

Urban Management

Having functional overlapping

Lack of coordination among these agencies

Wastage of resources

Lack of legal documents and charter of duties

Avoiding of responsibility

Planning Initiatives

UDD took first initiative for developing Rajshahi city in 1968

Other agencies also take short term infrastructure development plan

UDD took another initiative in 1984

RDA has prepared Rajshahi Metropolitan Development Plan (RMDP) in 2004

Salient Features of RMDP

First GIS based planning initiatives having different tiers

Strategic Plan

Structure Plan (SP) or General Development Plan

Functional Master Plan

Detailed Area Development Plans (DAP)

The plan focused on some key issues

Optimum use of land and land use zoning

Low rate of investment & urbanization

Adequate revenue generation to local government

Lack of coordination among implementing government agencies

Salient Features of RMDP

Planning Instrument followed in the plan

Regulatory Instrument e.g. permission of construction, guided land development, land use zoning, conservation of agri-land etc.

Financial/Investment Instruments such as site and services plan (SSP), specialized detailed area plans (SDAP)

Awareness/Behavioral Change Instruments such as detailed area plan (DAP)

Growth direction

WEST EAST

NORTH

OpportunitiesEducational city. 40% of the population are student, may further accommodate more educational institutes, research centers etc.

Scope of development of service industries.

Plenty of suitable land for development, low land value, rich agricultural hinterland

Low cost of labour

Pollution free environment

Quick and easy intercity communication

Low cost of living

Challenges

Low rate of investment, low rate of urbanization

Lack of quality water supply, drainage facilities, SWM

Lack of uninterrupted power supply and low voltage, absence of adequate gas supply

Challenges

Functional overlapping, lack of coordination among development agencies, absence of Coordinating Body

Improper financial management, limited financial and administrative powers of both RCC and RDA

Weak local government, outdated legal framework

Lack of adequate revenue generation to local government

Large areas of unused and unserved vacant land

Threat of flood and erosion

Conclusion

Integrated development of city and its peripheral areas

Coordination among all city-level development & service providing agencies

Promotion of effective partnership with civil society and private sectors

Increase of skilled manpower in plan implementation agencies

Increase public awareness

Ensure the good urban governance

Stop political interfere and influence of power full groups

Thanks for listening!