DENSITY, CHAOS AND SUSTAINABILITY IN DHAKA
Waziuddin Saud Chowdhury,
Architect, California, USA
Abstract:
The population growth and urbanization in Dhaka is typical for big cities like Caracas, Rio de Janeiro, Mumbai or Istanbul. However, the countries where these cities are located boast a ``GDP at purchasing Power Parity" that is between six to ten times that of Bangladesh, with far less density of population and access to much larger amount of natural resources. With the resource constraints at hand, managing the urbanization crisis in Bangladesh is indeed a daunting task. The impending climate refugee crisis due to global warming compounds the problem even further.
We argue that grand schemes involving major capital and infra-structure projects are not viable or sustainable in a poor country like Bangladesh. Instead, we suggest focus on the following four areas:
1. A very important aspect of the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) is the proposed zoning plans that segregate the functions within each identified Groups and/ or Locations that make up Metropolitan Dhaka. We argue that, while this is helpful, it is far from sufficient if imposed in a generalized sense. What is needed is the creation of self-sufficient pedestrian friendly domains that will limit movement of material and people across the various City parts in a sustainable manner.
2. The city infra-structure is either woefully inadequate or non-existent. Planning policies should not increase the burden on existing facilities. Grand plans do not confront the problems of the two-thirds of the city inhabitants who live in the slums or city fringes. Many commute large distances to make a living. Industrial and employment zones need to be located in closer proximity to where these people live.
3. A premium cost needs to be imposed on private low-occupancy vehicles entering the congested city roads, a policy followed today in most of the major world cities. The badly needed revenue raised could be used in infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. Electronic pre-paid “Toll Tags” could be disbursed to private car owners and fees deducted automatically on entering the City core and congested zones.
4. A proposed arterial system through Dhaka City in the DAP will require ‘Eminent domain’ authority in acquiring valuable swath of land to broaden the arteries, which is likely to meet resistance. Instead, a likely better approach is to use the existing major street-medians as ‘footprints’ for light-weight elevated mass-transit system. In lieu of elevated highways or underground mass transit system, these inexpensive systems could circulate ‘in loops’ at various parts of the Metropolis with transfer centers at critical points. Double-decker public buses could be re-introduced and the already existing train lines could be utilized as possible supplemental commuter trails during rush hour- that will lessen the street congestion.