Morphological Change of Dhaka City Over a Period of 55 Years: A Case Study of Two Wards

Dhaka City has undergone radical changes in its physical form, not only by territorial expansion, but also through internal physical transformations over the last decades. These have created entirely new kinds of fabric. With these changes, the elements of urban form have changed. Plots and open spaces have been transformed into building areas, open squares into car parks, low land and water bodies into reclaimed built-up lands etc. This research has its general interest in the morphologic change of Dhaka City. It focuses on the spatial dynamics of urban growth of Dhaka over the last 55 years from 1952-2007. In the research, the transformation of urban form has been examined through space syntax. The aim behind using this technique is to describe aspects of relationships between the morphological structure of man-made environments and social structures and events. To conduct this research, Wards 49 and 72 of Dhaka City Corporation were selected as the study areas, of which Ward 72 is an indigenous and Ward 49 is a planned type of settlement. Being a planned residential area, the syntactic measures from this morphological analysis are showing quite unchanged and high values in all phases for Ward 49 and the physical characteristics of Ward 72 (Old Dhaka) still represent the past. The syntactic values are found to be higher for Ward 72 and than Ward 49. Higher values indicate that the street network is highly connective among each other. Time affects differently the layout of cities and the architecture of buildings. Of the many human creations, street systems are among the most resistant to change. This has been emphasized in this study, thereby facilitating the comparison of urban layouts across space and time. The interpretation of history in the light of quantitative accounts, as demonstrated in this study, will be of value to urban planners and urban designers for the future planning of modern Dhaka City.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbip.v2i0.9554 Journal of Bangladesh Institute of Planners Vol. 2, December 2009, pp. 30-38

Japanese Concept of Urban Promotion Control Area (UCA) to Save Agricultural Land in Bangladesh

Urban sprawling and unplanned infrastructure development are devouring productive land. Bangladesh is basically an agro based economy. In our country, about 1% of agricultural land in each year is transferred to another use. If this process continues all of our agricultural land would diminish within 100 years. This terrible situation is very crucial for an agro-based economy. In this paper, an attempt has been made to illustrate the necessity of introducing the Urban Promotion Control Area (UCA) in preparing physical development plan in Bangladesh to save agricultural land. This idea is well practiced in Japanese city planning. Unplanned development of physical infrastructure, especially development of unplanned road is the main cause of urban sprawling into the valuable agricultural land. The awful encroachment into the agricultural land also may cause haphazard urbanization. This type of land use regulation may protect the unpleasant encroachment into the UCA land. Public investment in UCA for urban infrastructure development could be strictly prohibited, so that unplanned development would be restricted.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbip.v2i0.9570Journal of Bangladesh Institute of Planners Vol. 2, December 2009, pp. 98-106

Setting Planning Standards for Public Facilities in a City: A Case Study of Ward 50 of Dhaka City Corporation

Availability of different types of public facilities within an urban area is required to achieve specific objectives in urban planning. Planning standards are necessary in such cases to help achieve the adequacy and quality in services and facilities. To improve the situation in rapid and unplanned growth of Dhaka city both in terms of population and size, it demands a large amount of public facilities such as open spaces, playgrounds, schools, hospitals etc. School is an important public facility that requires setting standards and choosing appropriate locations. Standard of school facilities in an area depends upon factors such as, density of population, number of per family school going children, road network etc. This paper explores the existing facilities of primary and secondary schools for school going children in Ward 50 of Dhaka City Corporation. A series of field survey were conducted in order to collect information from primary sources, and standards on school facilities were collected from secondary sources. Based on the findings, suggestions on future planning of school facilities have been made in this paper. Finally, to justify the standards for schools facilities, DMDP planning standards are followed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbip.v2i0.9577Journal of Bangladesh Institute of Planners Vol. 2, December 2009, pp. 169-178

Local Adaptation Strategies of a Coastal Community during Cyclone Sidr and their Vulnerability Analysis for Sustainable Disaster Mitigation Planning in Bangladesh

Social vulnerability to disasters refers to the inability of a society and it’s people to withstand adverse impacts from multiple stresses to which they are exposed. Using a combination of geographical and social research methods, this paper examines the people’s (re)action and responses during cyclone Sidr 2007 at Baniasanta union of Dacope Upazila in Bangladesh. Finding shows that their adopted strategies to cope with cyclone address their vulnerability and it is necessary to integrate their local wisdom of living with unnatural situation into the future planning and development process of the coastal belt. Accordingly, the plans and development should not only be necessity, but also be accepted by the local community.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbip.v2i0.9576 Journal of Bangladesh Institute of Planners Vol. 2, December 2009, pp. 158-168

Planning Dhaka as a Global City: A Critical Discourse

Cities and city regions are practically observed to be the engines of economic growth in the age of globalization. Cities and their regions thus diversely play important roles in national and international contexts. City provides opportunities for economic growth and development and quality life for its population and services to its outside areas, sometimes exceeding the national boundaries. Globalization has, however, created both opportunities and threats for the survival of cities. To become an active partner in the process of globalization, cities with their regional economic strengths require preparing them with their potentials and removing weaknesses. As a capital city, Dhaka has potentials for becoming a global city with its geopolitical location and economic prospects. It has political and administrative advantages in the national context and scope for utilizing the benefits of urban economics, especially agglomerations, concentration of labor and financial institutions, and business services. The physical growth of the city is, however, associated with many-faceted problems which has to be addressed in its planning and development processes in order to bring functional efficiency of a modern city. The city must be developed in a planned manner to benefit from global market and international investment. The research recommends that Dhaka and its city region should overcome the current weaknesses to utilize its full potential to attract businesses and investments in the future. Dhaka’s physical development and economic growth management must be considered together in order to becoming a global city playing dynamic role in the global market in future.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbip.v2i0.9552Journal of Bangladesh Institute of Planners Vol. 2, December 2009, pp. 1-12

Population Evacuation Need Assessment in Cyclone Affected Barguna District

Spatial difference in geophysical risk and social vulnerability presents challenges to emergency planners to develop an effective evacuation strategy for cyclone zones. This study examines spatial variability in evacuation assistance needs during cyclone hazard in Barguna district. For this, composite vulnerability map of unions in Barguna district is developed based on the community demographics, resources, structures and geophysical risk indicators. Four evacuation dimensions are analyzed based on population traits and building structures index, differential access to resources index, special evacuation needs index and a combination of three dimensions. Results indicate that relative majority of the unions are characterized by high evacuation assistance need and similar scenario exists in the spatial distribution of geophysical risk and socio-economic vulnerability. Nevertheless, spatial disparity of socioeconomic vulnerability is also observed among the unions within the geophysical risk zone. The coastal unions of Barguna districts are identified as the geophysical risk zone of which Raihanpur, Bardarkhali, Keorabunia, Burir Char, Amtali, Haldia, Arpagashia, Barguna, Dhalua, Kakchira, Nachnapara, Kantaltali, Char Duanti, Kalmegha, Patharghata, Barabagi, Karaibaria, Pancha Karalia, Naltona, and Baliatali unions are within the high geophysical risk zone. Furthermore, depending on the indices it is revealed that 72.26 percent people are living within the geophysical risk zone, while 17.72 percent and 47.42 percent people are living within the high and medium socio-economic vulnerable regions respectively. Thus this study finds out that about 65.14 percent people of Barguna district require evacuation assistance needs. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbip.v2i0.9575Journal of Bangladesh Institute of Planners Vol. 2, December 2009, pp. 145-157

Strengthening Financial Capability of a Municipality: A Case Study of Dhaka City Corporation

The universal complaint that the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) i.e. City Corporations and Municipalities (Pourashavas in Bangladesh) in developing countries are in dire need of resources not only for investment to meet the increasing demand of growing urban population but also for maintenance of the existing services. Municipal finance in Bangladesh has so far not been extensively studied. For this research, Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) has been chosen for a case study. The research has investigated on how the financial capability of City Corporation can be strengthened. Investigation was made on various sources of revenue, existing state of tax base, and various problems pertaining to income and expenditure of Dhaka City Corporation. The study has explored potential sources of financing and made some suggestions to enhance local initiatives in strengthening financial capability.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbip.v2i0.9574Journal of Bangladesh Institute of Planners Vol. 2, December 2009, pp. 136-144

Regional Connectivity: Opportunities for Bangladesh to be a Transport Hub

In a globalized economy, transport cost being a significant determinant of competitiveness, it makes integrated and efficient transport network an essential element of the enabling environment. The integrated transport infrastructure, which South Asia inherited from the British, got fractured initially by the partition of India, and subsequently by its political aftermath and now needs to be rebuilt within the context of greater political harmony in South Asia. Such integration is especially crucial to countries such as Nepal and Bhutan and the regions such as North East India, as this could serve to end their landlocked or semi-isolated status and provide shorter transport and transit access to sea ports. To establish a case for regional transport connectivity in South Asia, an analysis was made of the impact of noncooperation in transport. An assessment was also made of the unique geographical location of Bangladesh having two landlocked countries, such as Nepal and Bhutan and one semilandlocked territory, North East India at the hinterland, and the opportunities this situation provides to Bangladesh. Based on SAARC Regional Multimodal Transport Study (SRMTS) findings, an attempt was made to identify a few strategic routes which could be pursued to provide transport connectivities among the countries of North East Sub-region of South Asia. An indication is made in this paper on the possible benefits that Bangladesh and the other neighboring countries could derive from the regional transport connectivities when established, to show that it would be a win-win situation for all. Finally, the study concludes that the cost of non-cooperation being very high, it would be beneficial for all the concerned countries to go for regional transport connectivity at the earliest. It was, however pointed out that issues related to regional connectivity and transit cannot be resolved in isolation. It needs to be considered together with other unresolved issues, in the areas of water sharing, environment, marine boundary, etc. What is needed for a long lasting solution is the political will and commitment of the leaders of South Asia, who should sit together with an open mind to resolve various issues once for all.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbip.v2i0.9553 Journal of Bangladesh Institute of Planners Vol. 2, December 2009, pp. 13-29

Problems and Prospects of Municipal Holding Taxation System: A Study on Bhairab Pourashava

Local governments in Bangladesh have several options at hand to finance their activities and pursue their fiscal policy. These options include the imposition of taxes and the generation of non-tax revenues through fees, levies, cost recovery and user charges, property and investment income, domestic and foreign borrowing, the sale of assets and domestic and foreign grants. Urban Local Governments (ULGs) in developing countries are in dire need of resources not only for investment to meet the increasing demand of growing urban population but also for maintenance of the existing services. But the resources of the municipal bodies are inadequate; infrastructures are in poor condition and services maintenance is neither enough nor would cover the new expansions. Inefficient governance of the municipal bodies is partly responsible for this. Holding tax plays an important role in own revenue of Pourashavas. About 35-45% revenue comes from holding tax. But in Bhairab Pourashava it contributes only 18-20%. Every year, its demands and collection are decreasing. Many factors are responsible for this. This study tries to find out the problems of holding tax collection and assessment. Pourashava requires to pay more attention to solve these problems. If the amount of holding tax is increased, this will help Pourashava gradually become self-financed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbip.v2i0.9573 Journal of Bangladesh Institute of Planners Vol. 2, December 2009, pp. 126-135

Application of Spatial Auto-Regressive Model for Determining Urban Land Market

Rapid conversion of agricultural, flood flow and sub-flood flow lands into urban uses at the periphery of Dhaka city increases the demand for developing useful supply, demand, and pricing models. Nevertheless, pricing land offers a challenging task. During high economic growth time, the conventional belief was that land values should soar with increasing demand and decreasing vacancies. Conversely, accurate anticipation of these values is problematic since spatial factors are often influential ones along with other characteristics of land. Moreover, land represents not only a bundle of physical characteristics but also sets of location-specific, transport, urban amenity, socio-economic and environmental characteristics. The extent of such characteristics on land market can be estimated by applying Spatial Autoregression model. The objective of this paper is to carry out an empirical analysis to examine the effects of different land characteristics on land prices in Savar municipality by using Spatial Auto-Regression (SAR) model. In particular, spatial econometric procedures (spatial autocorrelation) and spatial auto-regression analysis are applied to determine spatial dependence among the land value of plots and to evaluate the impact of land characteristics on land prices in the land market of Savar municipality respectively. The findings of this paper reveal that transport attributes have most significiant relationship with the land value and other explanatory variables like municipal amenities, physical characteristics of the plot, employment attraction, and commercial services are also influential factors of land price.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbip.v2i0.9571Journal of Bangladesh Institute of Planners Vol. 2, December 2009, pp. 107-115