Dhaka: Speakers at a workshop in the capital today: stressed that adopting circular economy principles in the construction sector is essential for ensuring sustainable development, reducing carbon emissions, and improving resource efficiency in Bangladesh. They said integrating circularity in the built environment-through reuse of materials, recycling of construction waste, and efficient design-can play a key role in building climate-resilient infrastructure.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the observations came at a training workshop on "Circularity in the Built Environment," organised by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Office for Project Services, and UN-Habitat. The initiative is part of a project titled "Transforming the Built Environment through Sustainable Materials in Bangladesh," funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Speakers said Bangladesh's rapid urbanisation and infrastructure expansion are putting increasing pressure on natural resources, making circular approaches both timely and necessary. They emphasised that adopting circular practices would not only reduce environmental impact but also support long-term economic sustainability in the construction sector.
Addressing the session, Additional Secretary of the ministry Md Sarwar Alam and other speakers highlighted the need for coordinated efforts among government agencies, development partners, and the private sector to implement circular solutions. They also stressed the importance of strengthening technical capacity, policy support, and awareness to scale up circular practices across the sector.
The workshop included keynote presentations, technical sessions, and group discussions focusing on construction and demolition waste management, circular design strategies, resource optimisation, and sustainable business models. Speakers expressed hope that such initiatives would help Bangladesh move towards low-carbon construction and align the sector with national climate commitments, including the upcoming Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).