INGO Forum urges to develop smart city infrastructure with the help of technology
Experts urge to build smart city infrastructure for citizens through urban innovation and technology support. At the same time, they highlighted the provision of adequate public facilities such as education, health care, recreation, utilities and community services, along with affordable housing, appropriate land use planning, along with the quality of life of the city dwellers.
Urban INGO Forum presented the 'City Manifesto 2023' at a press conference organized at Sagar-Rooney Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday (October 21).
The Urban NGO Forum Manifesto, a platform of international NGOs, has outlined 30 agendas on livability, sustainability and urban livelihoods, including the basic needs of Bangladesh's urban population.
On behalf of the Urban INGO Forum, Disaster Risk Reduction Manager of ActionAid Bangladesh AM Nasir Uddin said that the alternative system of public transport must be ensured. Effective traffic control, road safety and social protection policies should be formulated. Cities should create and maintain adequate, inclusive, environmentally friendly walking paths, prioritize pedestrians, promote bicycle use, ensure dedicated lanes and establish a comprehensive non-motorized mobility network.
United Purpose Bangladesh Disaster Risk Management and Emergency Response Unit Manager Mahmud Miner said that a ward-based development plan should be formulated and implemented to provide improved services and facilities at the local level. Vulnerability and risk assessments must be conducted to develop a database of risk and vulnerability profiles of cities and urban settlements.
He said opportunities should be created through planned and responsive urban development. Creating opportunities through planned and responsive urban development should ensure systematic and planned investment in decentralized development taking into account local context, resources and disaster impact assessment.
Oxfam Bangladesh's Engineering and Regional Planning Specialist Debraj Dey said, modern urban planning should include recreational areas, areas for pets, green spaces, educational facilities, safe spaces for non-binary communities. The possibility of boating through Dhanmondi Lake like Hatirjheel can also be considered.
He urged increasing the number of affordable technical and vocational education opportunities to promote skill-based education and foster the development of a smart and capable generation.
According to the Urban INGO Forum, Bangladesh is going to achieve the status of a lower middle income country in 2026. This will lead to increased industrialization and urbanization. Several milestones have been achieved in the infrastructure development of Bangladesh in the last decade. As a result, the trend of decentralized development has gained momentum. If it is possible to maintain this continuity, the regional disparity due to development will be reduced in the future.
In this context, a set of development agendas were presented by the Urban INGO Forum for inclusion in the election manifestos of the political parties participating in the upcoming national elections.
The NGO Forum claims that the implementation of these agendas will be fruitful in providing a balanced foundation for urban-centric development in Bangladesh. Agendas are divided into three sections for ease of organization. These are the agenda related to the basic needs of the urban population, the agenda related to the sustainability and livability of the city and the agenda to create various means of income and employment for the citizens.
Global One Bangladesh Head of External Relations and Communications Mosammat Tanzina Akhtar was also present at the event.
