DHAKA: The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has called for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to address the challenges of urban environmental management, emphasizing that the issue is too extensive for any single entity to tackle independently. This appeal was made during a national dialogue organized by the Livable and Inclusive Cities for All (LICA) project. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, LGED Chief Engineer Gopal Krishna Debnath highlighted the necessity of uniting government agencies, the private sector, civil society, and local communities to achieve sustainable urban development. He asserted that the National Guidelines would provide a dynamic framework to meet the evolving needs of urban environmental management. The dialogue, described as the first of its kind by LICA, brought together pivotal stakeholders from various sectors, including government, academia, development partners, youth groups, and civil society. The LICA project, which involves collaboration between LGED under the local government ministry and GIZ Bangladesh, aims to foster healthier and climate-resilient cities. Anisur Rahman from the Hamburg-based GFA Consulting Group delivered the keynote address, suggesting that adopting national guidelines on urban environmental management could enhance citizens' living standards. The dialogue organizers expressed hope that such national discussions would inform future policies and initiatives, thereby promoting sustainable and inclusive urban environments in Bangladesh. The event also featured two thematic sessions that showcased innovative city-level initiatives through case studies and actionable insights. Representatives from Rajshahi and Narayanganj city corporations, Kushtia Municipality, and various organizations such as BRAC, Water Aid, and BUET emphasized collaborative efforts to improve urban livability and sustainability. Speakers included Environment Ministry Joint Secretary Lubna Yasmine, GIZ's Cluster Coordinator for Climate Change and Sustainable U rban Development Dr. Dana de la Fontaine, and Head of Project LICA, GIZ Bangladesh M Mahmudur Rahman. The LICA project, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), was initiated in November 2022.
