Govt unveils plan for 101 new urban parks

The government has planned to construct 101 parks across Bangladesh to tackle the shortage of parks, playgrounds and open spaces as part of its broader strategy for planned urbanisation and environmentally sustainable development.

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher disclosed the plan in Parliament on Tuesday while replying to a scripted question from opposition lawmaker Nurul Islam (Chapainawabganj-3).

“The Housing and Public Works Ministry has planned to build 101 parks across the country to address the acute shortage of parks, playgrounds and open spaces,” the minister told the House.

He said the ministry was currently collecting data to facilitate implementation of the nationwide project.
Zakaria Taher also informed Parliament that Development Project Proposals (DPPs) for several initiatives were awaiting approval.

These include the construction of a park at Anwara Udyan in Farmgate, Dhaka, the development of playgrounds at Rampura, Khilgaon High School and the Khilgaon Rehabilitation Area, and the construction of the Khilgaon Community Centre along with an Eidgah and a park.

Highlighting recent progress, the minister said two parks in Chattogram and two in Cox’s Bazar had already been completed, while the modernisation of Ramna Park in the capital had also been finished and the facilities handed over for public use.

He added that work on another park was currently under way in Tarakanda upazila of Mymensingh district.

The minister said environmental protection remained a key consideration in all government development activities aimed at promoting planned urbanisation.

He said priority was being given to constructing multistorey buildings to ensure efficient land use through proper planning and research.

The government was also encouraging the adoption of advanced construction technologies, environmentally friendly building materials, energy-efficient systems, rainwater harvesting, dedicated sewage treatment plants and adequate green spaces in urban development projects, he added.

The parliamentary sitting resumed at around 3:00pm on Tuesday with Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal presiding over the session.