Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Wednesday called for a change of the laws governing the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) and its board structure to make the capital development authority more people-friendly and relevant to the times.
“To make Rajuk citizen-centric and modern, the Town Improvement Act and the Building Construction Act must be redrafted. Minor amendments won’t suffice. These laws must be re-enacted, preserving what is necessary while accommodating current realities,” she said during an exchange of views with Rajuk officials.
Rizwana emphasised that the Rajuk board must not consist solely of bureaucrats. “The board should include skilled urban planning experts and work through designated working groups,” she added.
She also questioned the authority of the Rajuk chairman to convert residential buildings into commercial ones. “This power should be revoked. The board can decide on such matters without violating the masterplan,” she said.
Highlighting the need for a fresh vision for Dhaka, she said it should reflect the voices of civil society, Rajuk, and the general public.
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She added that services must be decentralised to reduce the pressure on Dhaka.
The adviser further said that Rajuk must clearly define its role—whether it is a developer or a regulator. “Rajuk should no longer be allowed to engage in housing development.”
The adviser noted that housing can be provided for the homeless, not for the rich.
She called for comprehensive area-based masterplans and stronger regulation of private housing projects, noting that there was no such initiative in the past.
She also mentioned that Rajuk must be kept free from political influence.
Criticising the destruction of land in Purbachal, Rizwana said, “There is no justification for providing housing for ministers and lawmakers.”
Rajuk must also work to preserve the nation's built and cultural heritage, she mentioned.
Improving the quality of urban life should be Rajuk’s top responsibility, she noted, adding that Rajuk's own office building should be modern and environmentally sustainable.
“Every project must have an exit plan. Rajuk and the Estate Department need to become citizen-focused. Services should be digitalised, complaint resolution mechanisms must be effective, supervision should be outsourced, and external experts must be employed for audits,” she added.