Public-Private Partnership Can Build a Safer and More Livable Dhaka: REHAB Director

Bangladesh can transform its old and crowded urban areas into modern, people-friendly neighborhoods through planned redevelopment, says Engineer Manjurul Farhad Philip, Director of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB).

He said many countries have successfully rebuilt old cities through planned urban development. According to him, several urban areas in the US state of Pennsylvania and the city of Buffalo have been reconstructed with modern planning. At the same time, many countries are developing new cities based on the principles of the 15-Minute City and human-centered urban planning.

Philip believes Bangladesh can follow a similar path. However, he said such a transformation cannot be achieved by the private sector alone. It requires clear government initiatives, supportive policies and an effective legal framework.

He stressed that new laws are needed to support land consolidation, rehabilitation and condominium-based redevelopment. These measures, he said, are essential for rebuilding old and densely populated urban areas in a planned and sustainable way.

According to Philip, Bangladesh's real estate sector is ready to play a much bigger role than simply constructing apartment buildings.

Developers are interested in participating in large-scale urban redevelopment projects that can reshape entire neighborhoods.

He said REHAB has already submitted a proposal to the government seeking a policy that would allow private developers to work in partnership with the government on large-scale urban reconstruction and modern housing projects.

"If the necessary laws and policy support are introduced, developers will not only construct multi-storey buildings but also build planned communities," he said.

Such communities, he explained, would include schools, healthcare facilities, open spaces, small businesses, community services and safe transport systems alongside residential buildings. This would allow people to meet most of their daily needs close to home, reflecting the principles of a 15-Minute City.

Philip said planned redevelopment would particularly benefit middle-income and lower-middle-income families. At present, rising land prices and construction costs have made quality housing unaffordable for many urban residents. He believes condominium-based redevelopment can make better use of limited urban land by accommodating more families while ensuring modern safety standards and better public facilities. With proper planning, the same land could provide safe, modern and relatively affordable housing for a much larger number of people.

According to Philip, with strong government support and public-private cooperation, Bangladesh has the opportunity to modernize its older urban areas and create safer, more sustainable and people-centered cities for future generations.