‘Planned urbanization indispensable for safe habitation’

Stressing the need of ensuring safe habitat for all irrespective of advantaged and disadvantaged people, discussants at a multi-sectoral meeting here today unanimously viewed that planned urbanization can be the crucial means of safe habitation.

Besides, substantial and sustainable reduction of carbon emission has also become indispensable to ensure safe habitation.

The speakers made the observation while addressing a post-rally discussion meeting on the occasion of observing World Habitat Day-2024 today.

“Engaging youth to create a better urban future” is the theme of the day this year and it centres on the opportunities and challenges associated with rapid urban growth.

Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA) and Commissioner Office of Rajshahi Division jointly organized the meeting at the conference hall of Shilpakala Academy.

Divisional Commissioner Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir addressed the meeting as the chief guest, while RDA Chairman SM Tuhinur Alam was in the chair discussing and devising ways and means on how to attain the cherished goal.

Deputy Inspector General of Police of Rajshahi Range Alamgir Rahman, Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Abu Sufiyan, Additional Chief Engineer of department of Public Works Abdul Goffar and Deputy Commissioner-in-Charge of Rajshahi Sarker Asim Kumar also spoke on the occasion.

The discussants unequivocally called for promotion of renewable energies to lessen the gradually mounting pressure on using fossil fuel which is one of the main reasons behind the carbon emission.

They identically mentioned that cities are responsible for some 70 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions with transport, buildings, energy, and waste management accounting for the bulk of urban greenhouse gas emissions.

The future of the planet depends on national, regional and local governments and organizations, communities, academic institutions, the private sector and all relevant stakeholders working together to create sustainable, carbon-neutral, inclusive cities and towns.

In his remarks, Dr Humayun Kabir mentioned that the rural poor people with their recurrent disaster exposures are migrating into urban areas. These newcomers face a high employment crisis in the city and with very poor-quality housing and other well-being further tapping them into a deeper urban poverty cycle.

Climate change is becoming a threat to the urban environment and development and livelihood as well as uncertainty. Urban poverty is highly linked with rural disaster risks.

The urbanisation situation, particularly the housing in the city, is getting more acute with every passing year.
Earlier, participants of the meeting brought out a rally and that ended at the meeting venue after parading some of the surrounding city streets. (BSS)