Architects Advocate Abolishing DAP for Digital, Inclusive Urban Planning
The Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) has demanded the immediate cancellation of the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) 2022–2035 for Dhaka and called for the formulation of a participatory, digital, and updated land management plan. They also urged the government to adopt a disaster-resilient, mouza-based DAP to be reviewed every five years, along with a three-tiered planning structure—Structure Plan, Urban Area Plan, and DAP—for Greater Dhaka and its surrounding regions that aligns with climate change commitments, the SDGs, the Sendai Framework, and zero-emission goals.
At a press conference held on Sunday, July 27, at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, the IAB leadership described the current DAP as “anti-people, discriminatory, and ineffective,” outlining four core demands.
They stated that the plan was formulated by ignoring public interest and professional insights, resulting in legal inconsistencies, informational weaknesses, and opportunities for corruption. As a consequence, the environment and livability of the capital are under severe threat.
Dr. Abu Sayeed M. Ahmed, President of the IAB, said, “The DAP has caused stagnation in the construction sector, leaving thousands of workers unemployed. Common people are being forced to pay exorbitant bribes just to get building plans approved. It is a harassing and flawed plan.”
He further noted, “The opening paragraph of the DAP itself claims it is the third tier of a strategic planning process. However, the first and second tiers—the Structure Plan and Urban Area Plan—have not yet been implemented. Instead, the inclusion of building regulations within the DAP has added unnecessary complications.”
Dr. Masud Ur Rashid, General Secretary of the IAB, pointed out, “This DAP is based on statistics from 2015, yet its timeframe stretches to 2035. With the filling of natural reservoirs, destruction of agricultural land, disregard for stakeholder opinions, and lack of disaster resilience, it is entirely unfit as a plan.”
Urban planner Tawfiq added, “In just four years, Dhaka’s livability ranking has plummeted from 138 to 171. That alone testifies to DAP’s failure. We have repeatedly approached RAJUK but received no response. Today we are raising our voices on behalf of the people. For the sake of public welfare and a livable Dhaka, repealing this DAP and initiating a new, effective, and people-friendly plan is the need of the hour.”
Also present at the press conference were IAB Vice Presidents Mohammad Mahfuzul Haque and Nawazish Ahmed, former IAB President Kazi Nasir, and environmentalist Mahmudur Rahman Mamun, among others.
