Dhaka, Oct 4 (V7N) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said that his government is committed to ensuring safe, affordable, environmentally friendly and dignified housing for all, and planned, inclusive and sustainable urbanization.
"Ensuring safe, affordable, environmentally friendly and dignified housing for all, and planned, inclusive and sustainable urbanisation are among the key commitments of the current government," he said in a message on the eve of World Habitat Day.
To this end, the premier said, long-term policies are being implemented by integrating housing, urban planning, civic services, environmental protection and climate resilience. "It is now imperative to ensure a beautiful urban life for future generations through integrated initiatives for urban development," he said, adding that the government is particularly giving priority to ensuring housing for low-income people and balanced urban development.
"This commitment has a deep connection with the core spirit of World Habitat Day. World Habitat Day reminds us of our responsibility to ensure adequate, safe and affordable housing for all citizens and to ensure cities and settlements where people have access to essential civic services, a healthy environment and the opportunity to live a dignified life," said Tarique Rahman. "Ensuring universal housing and building liveable cities for all through sustainable urbanisation is now one of our foremost commitments," he said.
Since 1986, World Habitat Day has been observed in Bangladesh and different countries around the world on the first Monday of October, he said, adding, "Like previous years, World Habitat Day is being observed in Bangladesh this year as well with the commitment of 'Universal Housing, Sustainable Urbanisation' in mind."
About this year's theme, he said, "Against the backdrop of rapid urbanisation, population growth and increasing housing demand in Bangladesh, the United Nations-declared theme of this year, 'Adequate Housing for All' , is highly timely and significant."
About rapid urbanisation in the country, the premier said although Dhaka and other cities and urban areas across the country are rapidly expanding, unplanned urbanisation, traffic congestion, pollution, inadequate civic services, housing shortages and climate-induced migration are creating various challenges for urban life.
To address these challenges, he said, the current government's election manifesto contains clear commitments to balanced regional development, planned urbanisation and ensuring affordable housing for low-income families and slum dwellers. "It also includes commitments to create opportunities for slum dwellers to acquire ownership of housing and establish integrated water and waste management systems," Tarique Rahman said.
He said the current government considers 'housing for all' not merely as a guarantee of a house, but as an integrated guarantee of safe water, sanitation, a clean environment and essential civic services. "Therefore, with the aim of planned urbanisation, the government is preparing master plans for every city corporation and district in the country," the Prime Minister said, adding that the establishment of development authorities in Sylhet, Mymensingh, Barishal, Cumilla, Rangpur and Narayanganj is further strengthening the institutional foundation for planned and balanced urban development. "These initiatives will play an important role in building safe, inclusive, climate-resilient and sustainable cities and in achieving SDG-11," he said.
Noting that ensuring sustainable housing and urbanisation is not the sole responsibility of the government, the premier said the coordinated participation of private investors, local communities, NGOs, social voluntary organisations, research institutions and international partners is required in this regard. Public-private partnerships can play an effective role, particularly in housing for low-income people, slum development, water and waste management, and environmental protection, he added.
"The current government wants to build a Bangladesh where every person, irrespective of whether they live in urban or rural areas, has the opportunity to live in safe and affordable housing, with essential civic services and in a healthy, clean and dignified environment. Our goal is to build a humane, liveable and sustainable Bangladesh through planned and balanced development," said the Prime Minister. He wished the overall success of World Habitat Day 2026.
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