Dhanmondi will turn densely populated within five years with 395 dwelling units per acre, if the current building trend continues, an urban expert said. Dhanmondi’s density will then be higher than Jhigatola, Sabujbagh and even Kamrangir char areas, he predicted. The gross density of Dhanmondi is 240 dwelling units per acre against the global standard of 120 according to the livability index now.
It is predicted that the net density will reach 395 per acre at the matured stage of Dhanmondi, mentioned Ashraful Islam, Project Director of Revised Detailed Area Plan. He said all the development activities are Dhaka-centric as there is no inclusive planning for achieving growth in all areas of the country. Citing an example, he said there are proposals for five metro, two BRT, six elevated expressway and two ring road projects in Dhaka.
Mr Islam made the views at a training programme on ‘Urban Planning, Development and Management’ for journalists covering urban issues. Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) organised the training for members of Nagar Unnayan Sangbadik Forum. He warned that no government project will be beneficial for citizens if the population is not controlled immediately by stopping migration to the city.
Decentralising essential services is the key to reducing Dhaka’s urbanisation. The administration can increase occupancy in Gazipur as an estimated 13,900 acres are still vacant with the approved housing projects. In the Rajuk area 97-per cent buildings have one to five storeys, total road area is 5.15 per cent against the standard 25 per cent with a length of 13,898 km. Only 10 per cent roads have 20 feet width. The gross density of Dhaka North City Corporation is 284 (70,184 people per sqkm) and net density 393 (97,071 people per sqkm). On the other hand, Dhaka South City Corporation has a gross residential density of 351 per acre (86,697 people per sqkm) and net density 500 per acre (0.12 million per sqkm).
If the figures are true then Dhaka is currently the most densely populated city in the world — beating even Manila which is less than half of Dhaka’s population. This is very serious issue with ecological ramifications because if there is a major natural catastrophe than it will be very difficult for the city to get back on its feet due to the high density and the low ratio of roads to its total surface area. There were many options with regard to planning but after independence we have failed to implement them all leading to gross mismatches between planned and unplanned areas in Dhaka. It’s no too late to wake up and ensure that all citizens have access to proper services.
