Staff Reporter :
The Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), since its establishment in 1974, has been playing a significant role in the field of urban planning in the country.
As part of the observance of World Urban Planning Day 2025, the institute has launched a three-day celebration titled ‘Citizen Festival 2025’, being held from November 6 to 8 at the BIP premises in Agargaon, Dhaka.
Organised under the global theme “Together for Sustainable Cities and Communities,” the festival aims to highlight the active role and rights of citizens in building sustainable, participatory, and livable cities for the future.
Marking the occasion, a national seminar titled “Toward Sustainable Cities: Understanding SDG 11 and Assessing Bangladesh’s Trajectory Towards Achieving SDG 11 by 2030” was held on Friday, (November 7) at 10:30 a.m. at the BIP Conference Hall.
Mr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, attended the seminar as the chief guest. The special guests included Dr. Monzur Hossain, Member (Secretary) of the General Economics Division at the Planning Commission; Engineer Md. Riazul Islam, Chairman of RAJUK; Md. Mahmud Ali, Director (Additional Secretary) of the Department of Urban Development; and Mst. Ferdousi Begum, Chairman of the National Housing Authority.
The seminar was presided over by Professor Dr. Adil Mohammed Khan, President of the BIP, and conducted by Planner Sheikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan, General Secretary of the institute.
Speakers at the seminar emphasised that achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) — which focuses on sustainable cities and communities — requires clear national targets, strengthened institutional capacity, and balanced urbanisation across Bangladesh.
Dr. Monzur Hossain noted that Bangladesh has performed well in five to seven SDG indicators but still needs to make significant progress in sustainable urban development and institutional coordination.
In his remarks, Chief Guest Md. Nazrul Islam said, “Development cannot be achieved without accountability and transparency.
Sustainable progress will remain on paper unless there is honest leadership and active citizen participation.” Professor Dr. Adil Mohammed Khan, in his presidential address, stated, “Good governance and commitment are essential for sustainable development. Without these, achieving long-term urban goals will not be possible.”
Calling for more practical and realistic approaches to urban planning, Engineer Md. Riazul Islam said, “Housing should not be developed on wetlands in an unplanned manner. Effective waste management and structural reform are essential for sustainable urban growth.”
Participants in the seminar agreed that collective efforts and civic engagement are key to building an inclusive and sustainable urban future for Bangladesh.
