TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 2
OBJECTIVE AND METHODOLOGY .................................................................................... 4
SHORT PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA ............................................................................ 5
LOCATION MAP ..................................................................................................................... 6
EXISTING DEVELOPMENT STATUS .................................................................................. 7
CRITICAL ISSUES FOR PLANNING..................................................................................... 9
PREVIOUS POLICIES, LAWS AND REGULATION: ........................................................ 11
RECOMMENDATION AND PROPOSAL ............................................................................ 12
CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................ 14
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INTRODUCTION
The process of urbanization in Bangladesh is occurring at an accelerated rate. Since achieving
independence, the urban population of the Country has had a consistent annual growth rate of
6 percent, surpassing the national population growth rate of 2.2 percent over the same period.
Consequently, the urban population has seen a six-fold growth, in contrast to a 70 percent rise
in the rural population. According to statistics from the United Nations (UN), the present
urban population of Bangladesh stands at roughly 35 million individuals, which accounts for
approximately 25 percent of the country's total population. This figure is much higher
compared to the 8 percent recorded at the time of Bangladesh's independence. Projections
from the UN World Urbanization Prospects report of 2010 indicate that the urban population
is expected to surpass 80 million by the year 2030. The significance of urban development is
underscored in relation to its contribution to the whole national economy. The non-
agricultural industries, mostly concentrated in metropolitan regions, contribute to about 60%
of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Once again, it is observed that the industries
generating the most foreign currency, such as garment and knitwear firms, tend to
concentrate in metropolitan regions. These industries generate more than 70% of the foreign
currency. The remittance industry is a significant source of foreign currency earnings, with a
substantial portion of these funds being allocated towards the acquisition of urban land. The
excess funds transferred are allocated for investment in urban-based commercial and
manufacturing ventures. These trends suggest a growing significance of metropolitan regions
in the national economy. The proliferation of urban economic activities contributes to the
increase in urban population and the subsequent uncontrolled spread of urban spatial
development without proper planning. The phenomenon of fast urbanization is characterized
by the establishment of Paurashavas, which now amount to a total of 330. Paurashavas are
established with the dual purpose of delivering urban services to its residents and fostering
the creation of habitable surroundings by means of planned and ecologically sustainable
residential areas. The current level of infrastructural provisions in the Paurashavas is tenuous.
During periods of high rainfall, drains often get obstructed, impeding the proper drainage of
water. Additionally, natural drainage systems have been either filled or encroached upon by
individuals engaging in land grabbing activities, resulting in the occurrence of water logging
during the monsoon season. The traffic volume in Paurashavas is progressively escalating
due to the concurrent rise in population and demand. However, the inadequate road
infrastructure is unable to adequately accommodate the increasing need for transportation.
Consequently, congestion emerges as a prevalent issue. The development of road networks
lacks proper planning and methodical implementation, resulting in traffic congestion that
imposes economic costs on individuals via travel delays. The land use growth inside the
Paurashavas exhibits a lack of organization and planning, resulting in significant
environmental degradation. The enforcement of Building Construction Rules in Paurashavas
is lacking due to the absence of a well-developed Master Plan and a shortage of experienced
planning professionals. Given the aforementioned conditions, it is imperative to contemplate
the resolution of the issues pertaining to the Paurashavas, as they have the potential to
manifest in a serious manner in the foreseeable future. In order to proactively address any
challenges that may arise in the future, it is advisable for the Paurashavas to pursue strategic
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growth by formulating and executing a comprehensive Master Plan. The Master Plan may be
established by using the authority granted to them by the Paurashava Ordinance of 2009. The
objective of the Upazila Town Infrastructure Development Project (UTIDP) is to design a
comprehensive Master Plan for 223 Upazila level Paurashavas (municipalities) and the
Kuakata Tourism hub. This initiative will be implemented via 12 distinct packages over a
span of 20 years. The proposal includes provisions for distinct strategies pertaining to land
use regulation, drainage and environmental considerations, traffic management, and
transportation enhancement. The project furthermore seeks to build a Ward Action Plan
(WAP) in order to facilitate the organized implementation of forthcoming infrastructure
development initiatives. Additionally, there is a goal to formulate suggestions aimed at
improving the earnings of the Paurashava, therefore increasing its capacity to fulfill its own
capital requirements.
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OBJECTIVE AND METHODOLOGY
The objective of the study is to prepare a ward development plan for ward 14 (Kazipara and
Shewrapara) located in Dhaka North City Corporation. This includes finding out problems
and challenges and providing proposals regarding land use, demographics, population,
density, drainage, sewerage, footpath, road, health-education and social facilities, recreational
facilities economic and commercial and institutional, informal activities, demand supply
assessment of community facilities, inclusiveness, parity and sustainability of the planning,
future growth scenario analysis and other appropriate issues for planning and development.
The study follows the process of data collection-analysis and fixation of objectives for
planning. The approach is based on field survey for data collection and collection of
information from secondary sources. The data is presented through maps, tables and texts.
Figure 01: Flow chart of Planning Process
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SHORT PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA
Location Under the DNCC of Zone no-4 and ward no-14. Surrounded by
the Mirpur Main Road and Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah road in
the north, Ward no. 13 in the West, Ward no. 16 in the East
Total Area 551 acre or 2.225 sq. km. Where, 419 acre is in Kafrul thana
and 132 acres in under Mirpur thana
Total Population 1,13,292
Total Household 24,077
Total Mohalla 3; Paschim and Purbo Senpara Parabatha, Kazipara and Shewra
Para
Water Supply About 96% drinks tap water Supplied by DWASA and rest 4%
from other sources
Electricity Connection About 98.47 % area has electricity connection
Health Institution Two Medical (General Hospital, Al Helal hospital) and many
diagnostic centers.
Educational Institution 5 Primary schools, 10 Secondary schools, 4 colleges and 1
research Institutions
Religious Institution 20 mosques, 3 madrashas, 1 Baptist church, 1 Baptist sangha, 1
shibaloy and 1 Mazar.
Other Institution Two community centers, several co-operative societies, a few
women training institutions
**(Source: BBS,2001)
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LOCATION MAP
Figure: Map of ward 14
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EXISTING DEVELOPMENT STATUS
Existing development status is a short review of prevailing condition of development under
different criteria including
▪ Social Development
▪ Economic Development
▪ Population
▪ Physical Infrastructure Development
▪ Utility services
▪ Environmental issues
▪ Institutional Capacity
▪ Urban Growth Area
▪ Catchment Area
▪ Land Use and Urban Services
Social Development:
To measure social development time series data is required as the societal issues are dynamic.
Population report census of 1991 and 2001 presents the current situation using sample socio-
economic survey data which indicates positive social development in Mirpur Ward no.4.
Economic Development:
Economic Activity is the lifeblood of any urban center.
The main economic activity of this ward is service. However, there are many commercial
shops available. The presence of saw mills and furniture shops can be seen all over the ward.
Some garments factories also help boost the local economy.
So, the economic picture of the ward no 14 suggests that the economy is still much service
and commercial dependent.
Population
According to BBS 2001 population census the total population of Mirpur Paurashava was
1,13,292 and the density of population was 50,917 people/sq. km. At present, ward no. 14 is
mostly densely populated area. With the addition of Metrorail, the population is expected to
grow further.
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Utility Services
The following paragraphs present the existing condition of utility services in the Paurashava.
• Electricity
In ward [Link] Mirpur electricity is provided by Dhaka Electric Supply Company LTD. or
DESCO. This ward is under 100% electric coverage.
• Water Supply
Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority or Dhaka WASA provides tap water all over
the ward.
• Telecommunication
Digitalized networks have connected the whole area. Every major operator and broadband
internet service provider is available here.
• Solid Waste Management
Solid waste collection and disposal in Mirpur ward no. 14 is the responsibility of Dhaka
North City Corporation authority. The collected waste is dumped into the lowland. CBO or
NGO based collection system does not exist within the area.
• Gas supply
Pipe line gas supply system is applied to fulfill the demand of the people. There are some
LPG retail shops within the area servicing local people.
Environmental Issues
Ward no 14 is well infrastructure area although there is lack of green space. Problems like
water logging, flood has been mitigated now through recent development projects. In every
phase of planning processes, all these environmental issues shall be evaluated and proper
measure shall be taken to minimize the adverse environmental impacts on land pollution,
water and air quality, biodiversity resources and marine resources by energy usage, transport
network, waste management, slum improvement, disaster etc, due to its location in a
particular seismic zone. Geological explorations and extractions make the area more
vulnerable to any other town of the country.
Urban Growth Area
Accessibility is a major driving force behind the physical growth. Another important factor is
flood free high land. Physical growth usually follows major thoroughfare and higher grounds.
The general land level of the town is almost uniform everywhere.
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CRITICAL ISSUES FOR PLANNING
Transport
The transport issues in Mirpur stem from a mix of different traffic modes, an inadequate road
network, and disregard for traffic regulations. The addition of Metrorail has helped solving
many previous issues.
Traffic Conflict
In areas with a mix of slow and fast vehicles sharing the streets, traffic conflicts are common,
especially at busy intersections. An analysis of traffic patterns in the town identified problem
areas like market area road, bus stand, intersections etc. Here, clashes between slow-moving
vehicles (such as rickshaws) and motor vehicles cause congestion. Prolonged stops by buses
and CNGs as passengers board or disembark further
impede traffic flow, leading to brief but sudden
traffic jams. The prevalence of conflicts is attributed
to the higher number of slow-moving vehicles. Key
reasons behind these conflicts include poorly
designed intersections, street parking, operators
waiting for passengers on roads, lack of traffic
signals, and non-compliance with traffic rules.
Figure: Traffic in Kazipara
Unplanned and Narrow Roads
Even though the main highway of this area (Rokeya
Shoroni) is quite wide and capable of handling the
traffic, the small and narrow connecting roads
inside the area can not handle the traffic that well.
Some of the roads are not maintained properly.
Some areas need repairs.
Figure: Narrow Gully
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Drainage Issue
Though the drainage system of the area is comparatively better than
many areas, it still needs improvement. In many areas, the drain
cover is broken and exposed which can lead into many serious
accidents. Also exposed drains spreads very bad odor which can be
harmful and unpleasant to the passerby.
Figure: Exposed drain
Waste Management
Kazipara and Shewrapara faces waste management challenges with a very few number of
bins scattered around. Waste collection is mainly conducted from roadside points and bins,
with a door-to-door system. Negligence by staff contributes to ineffective operation and
maintenance of the drainage system. The lack of dustbins in the area leads to people throwing
the wastes here and there and even on the streets.
Water Supply
Water provided by Dhaka WASA is the primary water source for every resident.
Urbanization and increasing land prices threaten the existence of ponds and other water
bodies.
Land Use Control
Misuse of land and ineffective land use control are prevalent issues in Bangladesh. Master
plans have been ineffective due to ignorance of laws, lack of control mechanisms, absence of
land use plans, and rapid urban growth that outpaces the plans. Irregular updates of master
plans contribute to their ineffectiveness. A lack of open space and parks can be seen here. As
ward 14 is a residential area, it needs more fields and open space to work as a recreational
spot.
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PREVIOUS POLICIES, LAWS AND REGULATION:
The various existing policies, regulations and laws of the country have direct and indirect
effects on the preparation and implementation of the Master Plan of the Paurashavas in the
country. The urban planning and land use regulations are essential for municipal
development. They impact on land market favorably or unfavorably and result in social
benefits and costs depending on their nature and the specific contexts in which they are
applied. Policies, regulations and processes that facilitate availability of land and its uses for
planned development at affordable costs need to be continued and those lead to contrary
results need t0o be eliminated or modified. For this study various policies were studied and
use as reference. Some of the previous policies are mentioned below:
Paurashava Act, 2009
National Land use Policy, 2001
National Housing Policy, 1993
Population Policy, 2004
Transportation Policy, 2004
National Environment Policy, 1992
Industrial Policy, 2005
National Tourism Policy, 1992 and 2010
Agriculture Policy, 1999
Urban Forest Policy, 1994
National Plan for Disaster Management, 2008-15
Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) 1993
The Building Construction Act, 1952
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RECOMMENDATION AND PROPOSAL
After visiting the site and gathering data about the area, the following proposals are given for
the study area:
Transportation
Public transportation system needs to be monitored more carefully. Local busses stop
anywhere and anytime on the road which leads to traffic congestion and traffic jams. So,
specific bus stops are needed to solve the issue. Thanks to metro rail, number of cars on the
roads have decreased. However, the metro rail service can help the area more. Metro rail
needs to be utilized at its full potential.
Figure: Metrorail station , Shewrapara Figure: Traffic Congestion in Kazipara
Drainage System
The Kalyanpur canal can be used as drainage line. This could be very helpful for stormwater
disposal. Exposed drains can lead to dangerous accidents any time, also the odor is harmful.
The broken and exposed Drains needs to be fixed.
Figure: Kalyanpur Canal Figure: Broken an d Exposed Drain
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Foot-over and Zebra Crossing
Crossing roads is a risky task in Kazipara and Shewrapara. The Highway (Rokeya Avenue)
needs zebra crossing for the passerby. Also, more foot over bridges needs to be made,
especially in front of the busy areas like market, school and mosques.
Footpaths
The footpaths need to be free from the street vendors. The streets vendors needs to be settled
in other places.
Figure: Footpath in Kazipara Figure: Footpath in Shewrapara
Parks and Open Spaces
For a residential area, this lacks parks and open spaces. A lot of open space and playground is
needed. The fields of the schools can be used as public playground in leisure period. Existing
places also needs renovation.
Wider Gully Roads
The connecting Roads or gully roads needs to be wider in some places. This will help release
the traffic pressure. An ideal width for the roads should be at least 8 feet.
Figure: Gully road in Shewrapara
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CONCLUSION
For the first time in Bangladesh's history, the Paurashavas and wards are having their full
Master Plans produced scientifically utilizing contemporary tools and procedures. This marks
a significant milestone in the country's development. These Master Plans will prove to be
useful instruments for the purpose of planning the growth of the majority of the metropolitan
centers in Bangladesh. The projected expansion of the township would also assure the
provision of necessary services for the rural parts of the nation's geography. This, in turn, will
have a beneficial effect on the expansion of the economy, both social advancement and
environmental preservation are essential. The ward plan for Mirpur ward no 14 is required to
make use of this possibility for its development in the years to come via the execution of
the Master Plan.
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