Chattogram:The port city of Chattogram has undergone significant changes in its housing landscape over the past two decades, with a dramatic reduction in greenery and a rise in both high-rise buildings and informal settlements.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the city's greenery has decreased from 68.34 percent in 1990 to 36.51 percent by 2020, as analyzed by researchers Sumaiya Siddiqui and Md. Mahin Uddin from the University of Dhaka. This transformation is partly due to an influx of rural migrants seeking livelihoods in the city, resulting in increased pressure on available land and the development of risky settlements on hill slopes.
The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) reports that there are 382,111 buildings in the metropolitan area, with the number of high-rises increasing. However, there are also approximately 7,000 risky and illegal settlements on the city's hills, according to the district administration. Despite eviction efforts, these settlements continue to grow, posing significant risks during the monsoon season.
Environmental concerns are heightened due to landslides caused by this unplanned development, with over 300 fatalities reported in the past two decades. The most severe landslide occurred on June 11, 2007, resulting in 128 deaths in one day.
In response to these challenges, the CDA is planning to launch a housing project aimed at providing affordable flats for low-income residents. Additionally, the development of satellite towns around Chattogram is being considered to alleviate pressure on the city's infrastructure.
Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain emphasizes the need for a coordinated effort among utility services and administrative bodies to turn Chattogram into a sustainable and smart city. He suggests the establishment of a city government to ensure a more unified approach to urban development.