Land use in Dhaka

[Andriejj]

Hey, I'm a student from Poland. I'm writing a work about Dhaka's development and I have a problem, considering the land use. More specifically, what percentage of the city area is this and that (water, "open space", etc.). A document published by a supposedely reliable institution (UNEP) contradicts itself by first, saying that in 2005 there were only 60 hectares of "open space" and later saying that a certain park in Dhaka has over 80 hectares. Oh, and it had no definition what do they understand as "open space". Meaning it's badly written and yet it's the best thing I've found :/

So, my request is: could you give me some aproximation for land use in Dhaka, as percentage or in values, doesn't matter, or direct me to a proper place to look for such info? Another question, is there any chance that RAJUK would provide me with some info, if I emailed them? (btw, their website is down atm, lol)

Thanks in advance.

[manbil777]

Hey, I'm a student from Poland. I'm writing a work about Dhaka's development and I have a problem, considering the land use. More specifically, what percentage of the city area is this and that (water, "open space", etc.). A document published by a supposedely reliable institution (UNEP) contradicts itself by first, saying that in 2005 there were only 60 hectares of "open space" and later saying that a certain park in Dhaka has over 80 hectares. Oh, and it had no definition what do they understand as "open space". Meaning it's badly written and yet it's the best thing I've found :/

So, my request is: could you give me some aproximation for land use in Dhaka, as percentage or in values, doesn't matter, or direct me to a proper place to look for such info? Another question, is there any chance that RAJUK would provide me with some info, if I emailed them? (btw, their website is down atm, lol)

Thanks in advance.

The site is newly designed and has to incorporate a lot of updates GIS-wise, hence maybe 'down' quite a bit. You have to realize that the more they try to keep current -- the more 'down' they'll be -- which is a good sign IMHO :). I'd suggest you e-mail them. E-mailing the UN's Dhaka office (UNESCAP) may also help and they may be more efficient.

The Rajuk site is now up and I can see that the new town of Uttara- Phase III has the following stats which may help indicate a general trend:

Residential Plots - 24%

High-rise apartments - 11%

Road Network - 30.92%

Physical & Social infrastructure - 3.04%

Lake, Open space & Park - 13.00%

Commercial Plots - 5.89%

CBD - 0.92%

Utility Services - 2.00%

Education & Institution - 1.67%

Neighborhood/Play field -3.00%

RAJUK site:

http://www.rajukdhaka.gov.bd/index.htm

BTW -- you can Google 'Dhaka Land-use' and you'll get a lot of hits. I got 93000. And if you wanted to gather information -- the best way to do so is to call or e-mail one of the local private universities who have Environmental, architectural or GIS departments. Happy Hunting!

North-South University Dept. of Environmental Science:

http://www.northsouth.edu/php/faculty/list.php?type=Department&id=3&s_id=2

[Andriejj]

I've read about Uttara, but that's a new thing, a 'modern' project. I'm more interested how it looks in the city as a whole.

I've emailed the whole three, we'll see how responsive they are :)

Btw, could You, personally, tell me, what do You think about my impression. Which is: RAJUK kinda ignores the problem of slums, leaves them as they are and just builds new, better-standard settlements, hoping for squatters and slums to collapse by themselves. How much wrong/right is that? Does RAJUK have any big slums improvement projects?

[amar11372]

I've read about Uttara, but that's a new thing, a 'modern' project. I'm more interested how it looks in the city as a whole.

I've emailed the whole three, we'll see how responsive they are :)

Btw, could You, personally, tell me, what do You think about my impression. Which is: RAJUK kinda ignores the problem of slums, leaves them as they are and just builds new, better-standard settlements, hoping for squatters and slums to collapse by themselves. How much wrong/right is that? Does RAJUK have any big slums improvement projects?

-Its best you contact universities and students. Also there was a Fulbright scholar from the USA, researching about the transportation in Dhaka. His name is Donald Katz; donald.katz@gmail.com and he may be able to at least point you to the right direction.

-The point about slums, They don't exist in the eyes of the law and Govt. They are illegally occupying/encroaching on public land. Eventually they will be removed or resettled elsewhere because its not there property. The Govt can't just give away land for free to squatters, then everyone will demand somethings. I am not sure about RAJUK, but some NGO's seem to have some development works in the slums. I also read a while back, the Govt may construct ultra cheap "commieblocks" for the slum dwellers on the outskirts of Dhaka. & Good luck on your research.