Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) president Adil Muhammad Khan blamed the commercial mindset of some unscrupulous architects and civil engineers for disrupting the overall planning of the country.

He made these remarks at a seminar titled “Let’s Plan the Whole Country, Build an Equal and Balanced Bangladesh” organized by BIP yesterday at the Planners Tower Conference Hall in Dhaka during the Golden Jubilee and World Town Planning Day celebrations.

While BIP Secretary General Sheikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan moderated the seminar, BIP Vice President Syed Shahriar Amin and Board Member Uswatun Mahera Khushi presented the basic features.

Adil Muhammad Khan said that planning is vital for the progress of Bangladesh, not only for urban planners but also for the overall development of the country.

Likening the role of an urban planner to that of a parent, he said that just as parents ensure that their children have appropriate playgrounds and study spaces, every city dweller deserves a humane environment that fosters personal development.

He also criticized the Bangladesh Real Estate and Housing Association for not addressing the issue of affordable housing.

He urged everyone that there should be demand from ordinary citizens to ensure safe and healthy villages and cities. He added that if people want safe cities, the country will be planned accordingly.

BIP Secretary General Sheikh Mohammed Mehedi Ahsan said 11 commissions are currently working to shape Bangladesh’s future governance structure to address inequality.

Given the current situation, urban areas should be prioritized to steer development in a more equitable direction, he said.

Sheikh Mohammed Mehedi also touched upon the challenges faced by urban planners, describing their profession as one of the most discriminated against due to its multidisciplinary nature, which is often overlooked in job placements.

He emphasized the importance of collaborating with the government to implement BIP’s spatial planning framework.

BIP Vice President Syed Shahriar Amin said that despite the progress made by Bangladesh, fair, transparent and accountable social structures that will ensure economic freedom and balanced development are still lacking.

Structural reform in governance and planning practices is essential to ensure a just society, he said.

He also said that effective spatial planning can optimize resource use, address inequality and ensure balanced development for all regions by incorporating the humanitarian principles of the planning profession.