LAW OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN BANGLADESH: a critical study with special reference to Khulna Master Plan

Planned development is foremost important for a better living environment. Introduction of the planned development guides through a master plan prepare by the public authority within a regulatory framework.

Bangladesh also practices the method of planned development following master planning activities. Limited rules and regulations on the preparation and execution of the master plan exists in the country. Some of the regulations identify as outdated and inconsistent with the present development activities. Effectiveness of the regulations depends on the efficient and necessary regulations. Planned development confirms with the establishment of guided regulations of the preparation and execution of the master plan. But, in Bangladesh, regulations on the master plan (both preparation and execution) shows irrelevant and somewhere unpredictable. These are the major drawbacks of the planned development guided through the master plan. As a result, natural development enhances the living environment in most of the cities.

Four development authorities named RAJUK (Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha), CDA (Chittagong Development Authority), KDA (Khulna Development Authority) and RDA (Rajshahi Development Authority) authorizes to prepare master plan. They perform the activities  with the following of Town Improvement Act 1953, Chittagong Development Authority Ordinance 1959, Khulna Development Authority Ordinance 1961 and Rajshahi Development Authority Ordinance, 1976. Except these, all Pourashava and City Corporation prescribes to prepare master plan according to the Local Government (Pourashava) Act, 2009 and City Corporation Ordinances, but, actually they are not performing such activities.

The study follows major drawbacks such as incomplete regulations, communication gap among the authorities, restricted use of land, poor punishment, disputed approval procedure, irregular involvement of police power, etc. involves with the preparation and execution of master plan.