The term master plan varies with its meaning in place to place among the users. Sometimes town plan, layout plan, structure plan and detailed area plan includes in the meaning of master plan. Development plan, renewal plan, local plan, zonal plan, regional plan, etc. generally defines as master plan. Some sharp differences about the concept of master plan presents among the authors. According to the section 2(ccc) of the Building Construction Act, 1952, the term ‘Master Plan’ means “the master plan prepare and approves under any law for the time being in force for the utilization of any land anywhere in Bangladesh” (Act No. II of 1953 amended in 25^th March 1987).

“A master plan or a development plan or a town plan defines as a general plan for the future layout of a city. It shows both the existing and proposed streets or roads, open spaces, public buildings, etc.” Again, development plan, calls it, “the organizing of building and landuse in pursuance of an express scheme of urban or rural evolution.”

In Bangladesh, preparation of master plan starts from the year 1917. In a study it mentions that, “preparation of Master Plan starts in 1917 when Sir Patrick Geddes visits Dhaka. He prepare a Master Plan for the City, which, however, remain on paper only. It 1948, a planning department forms in the then East Pakistan and a skeleton of re-planning scheme for Dhaka City was prepared.”