Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh and one of the most densely populated cities globally, faces a growing crisis attributed to a combination of limited national vision, flawed planning, and ineffective city management. These challenges are not unique to Dhaka but are replicated in towns and cities across the country, many of which aspire to become smaller versions of the capital. Urban development in Bangladesh is at a crossroads, requiring a shift from purely technical and economic planning toward a broader, more human-centered approach to city-building.
Kazi Khaleed Ashraf, an architect and urbanist leading the Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements, argues that Bangladesh’s urban future must be reimagined through the concept of “urbanism”—an approach that views the city as a cultural and social innovation rather than a mere process of urbanization. Central to this vision is an emphasis on the country’s deltaic environment, where water plays an essential role. Ashraf criticizes conventional urban planning’s "dry planning" mindset, which prioritizes dry land and marginalizes wetlands, rivers, and floodplains, often leading to environmental degradation and social inequity.
Ashraf advocates for water intelligence to become the foundation of urban design in Bangladesh, integrating hydrology, agriculture, infrastructure, and flood management. This philosophy would respect natural waterways as vital ecosystems, ensuring rivers, canals, wetlands, and floodplains are preserved and incorporated into cityscapes. He proposes that riverbanks should be developed as public spaces, offering recreational and ecological benefits.
Recognizing that individual cities do not exist in isolation, Ashraf calls for comprehensive regional planning. His 2012 “Dhaka Nexus” proposal outlined a polycentric metropolitan model linking Dhaka to satellite towns such as Kaliakoir and Mawa, enabling population decentralization and integrating multimodal transport systems to mitigate urban density pressures.
To manage Bangladesh’s growing population, Ashraf suggests a “distributed urbanism” strategy. This entails the planned development of five metro-cities, each accommodating five million residents, alongside ten medium-sized cities and forty smaller towns. These settlements would focus on intensifying existing urban areas with high population densities while protecting agricultural land, wetlands, and floodplains.
Public spaces and pedestrian-friendly environments are identified as vital components for enhancing city life. Ashraf stresses that walkability, safety, and accessible communal areas—such as parks, plazas, and neighborhood hubs—are essential to fostering social interaction and a sense of community. Echoing concepts like the “15-minute city,” he envisions neighborhoods where daily needs can be met within a short walk, reducing reliance on motorized transport.
Regarding housing, Ashraf notes that Dhaka and other cities have yet to adequately address affordable and socially inclusive housing. He encourages diversified housing types and larger “block housing” developments that prioritize community-building over isolated, plot-based construction.
Transport infrastructure should focus on mass rapid transit systems—such as MRT, LRT, and BRT—that support multimodal connectivity and promote sustainable urban growth. Investments in car-centric infrastructure, like road widening and flyovers, are deemed insufficient to resolve traffic congestion and urban sprawl.
Ashraf also highlights the distinct identity and potential of small towns, which should not be treated as scaled-down versions of cities. Understanding their unique cultural, ecological, and architectural characteristics is essential for sustainable development.
His comprehensive approach offers a reinterpretation of Bangladesh’s urban landscape, emphasizing ecological preservation, social equity, and integrated planning to foster sustainable and humane cities.