Experts Urge Practical Preparedness at Earthquake Awareness Roundtable
A roundtable discussion titled “Earthquake: Reality, Perception, and Strategies for Awareness” was held on Thursday, 4 December at the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB). The session took place at the IAB seminar hall in Agargaon and was presided over by IAB President, Architect Professor Dr. Abu Sayeed M Ahmed.
The event brought together senior engineers, architects, planners, academics, and disaster management officials. Among the speakers were BUET’s former civil engineering professor and seismic expert Dr. Shamim Z. Bosunia; former BUET architecture professor and former vice-chancellor of Leading University, Architect Professor Dr. Kazi Azizul Mowla; former IAB president and former Chief Architect of the Department of Architecture, Kazi Golam Nasir; current Chief Architect Asifur Rahman Bhuiyan; Director General of the Housing and Building Research Institute, Dr. Mohammad Giasuddin Haider; architect and urban planner Iqbal Habib; Chairman of the DU Geology Department, Professor Dr. Badruddoza Mia; BUET civil engineering professor Dr. Rakib Ahsan; Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Golam Mostafa; Director (Operations) of Fire Service and Civil Defence, Lt. Col. Md. Tajul Islam Chowdhury; supervising engineer of the Public Works Department, Shakhawat Hossain; RAJUK’s acting Chief Urban Planner, Md. Ashraful Islam; and Convenor of the Bangladesh Association of Structural Engineers, Abdullah Al Hossain Chowdhury.
Also present were BUET assistant professor Architect Patrick D. Rozario and IAB Vice Presidents Architect Khan Md. Mahfuzul Haq Jaglul (International Affairs) and Architect Nowazish Mahbub (National Affairs), who conducted the session. IAB General Secretary Architect Dr. Masud Ur Rashid delivered the welcome speech.
Speaking at the discussion, Dr. Shamim Z. Bosunia said there is no reason to panic if experienced structural engineers perform their duties responsibly and construction is properly supervised. He advised taking calm, planned shelter during earthquakes.
Urban planner and architect Iqbal Habib noted that while earthquakes cannot be prevented, damage can be significantly reduced. He highlighted concerns over poor monitoring in building approval processes, along with issues such as fire risk, gas leaks, faulty construction, the need for a regulatory authority, block development, and implementing TDR (Transfer of Development Rights).
Professor Dr. Rakib Ahsan stated that not all civil engineers are skilled in earthquake-resistant design. He emphasized CPD, structured training, and coordinated work between architects and engineers.
Former IAB president Kazi Golam Nasir warned against spreading unscientific earthquake predictions that create panic. “We need action, not fear,” he said, stressing the need to identify risky buildings, widen narrow roads to ensure emergency access, reinforce hospitals and key government structures, secure free-standing furniture, conduct proper soil testing before construction, and ensure clear emergency exit routes.
In his closing remarks, Professor Dr. Abu Sayeed M Ahmed said that working on post-disaster preparedness would allow experts to recommend meaningful policy actions to the government. Participants emphasized delivering the recommendations to policymakers and urged awareness-building to eliminate misconceptions and promote realistic preparedness strategies.
DBTech/AC/EK/OR
