Officials and experts at a discussion today
stressed on planned urbanisation to build eco-friendly cities as drivers of
growth and recovery to attain resilient urban economies.
They expressed the view at the post-rally discussion arranged in observance
of the World Habitat Day-2023 with the theme of “Resilient Urban Economies:
Cities as Drivers of Growth and Recovery” at the Town Hall auditorium in the
city.
The Public Works Department (PWD) in association with the district
administration, Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC) and Brac Urban Development
Programme (UDP) organised the rally and discussion and distributed saplings
marking the day.
Deputy Director (Local Government) for Rangpur Most Zilufa Sultana
inaugurated observance of the day by leading the rally and also addressed the
discussion as the chief guest.
Sub-divisional Engineer of the PWD Md Khairul Basher, City Councilor Md
Shamsul Haque, Assistant Engineer of RpCC Md Abu Jafar and Brac Rangpur
District Coordinator KM Zahedul Islam spoke as special guests.
President of Rangpur City Development Workers’ Cooperative Society Limited
Bikash Kanti Barman presided over the discussion.
The speakers said the World Habitat Day is being observed every year to
reflect the state of the world’s towns and cities and emphasize the basic
rights of all citizens, including communities, to receive adequate, climate-
resilient and eco-friendly shelters.
They said the planet’s future depends on national, regional and local
governments and organizations, communities, private sector and other
stakeholders who should work collectively to create sustainable, inclusive
and resilient cities and towns.
Engineer Abu Jafar said the quantity of waste produced by the individuals is
growing every day and often costs local authorities a large proportion of
their budget for removal of those making the solid waste management a burning
issue.
The chief guest stressed on facilitating policy dialogue to promote
innovative solutions for building resilient cities and urban economies to
sustainably address the challenges to make the cities better habitable and as
drivers of growth and recovery.
“The authorities concerned should adopt rational steps to ensure adoption of
the national building codes for building planned, safer and resilient cities
and save the citizens from the hazards of earthquakes, carbon dioxide
emission and poor waste management,” she added.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha