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6 October, 2015 00:00 00 AM
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On 25 September, the Eid ul Adha was observed with great enthusiasm throughout Dhaka. Despite the numerous animal sacrifices on the occasion, the city was clean in a few hours- thanks to a proactive engagement between the citizens and the two city corporation workers. They demonstrated that the city can be kept clean if we so want it

Being more positive about Dhaka

Muhammad Zamir
Being more positive about Dhaka
Cleaning Dhaka after animal sacrifice of Qurbani Eid

The London-based Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) revealed on 18 August in its ‘Global Liveability Ranking’that Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, had continued its miserable position within the worst livable cities in the world. Dhaka this year, according to this evaluation, had moved from being the worst city to being the second worst city, just ahead of Syria’s capital- war ravaged Damascus. To the surprise of many Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Lagos, Nigeria and violence prone Tripoli, Libya were ahead of Dhaka. One presumes that perception of Dhaka being less livable was greatly influenced by the systematic political violence and arson carried out by certain political parties in the last quarter of 2013 and in the first quarter of 2015.
The five best livable cities were- Melbourne, Australia, Vienna, Austria, Vancouver, Canada, Toronto, Canada and Adelaide, Australia. The rankings were based on 12 indicators and out of an index benchmark of 100 points. Melbourne scored 97.5 points, whereas Dhaka scored 38.7 points. The rankings provided scores for lifestyle challenges in 140 cities worldwide. Analysts also interpreted the data to conclude that since 2010, average livability across the world had fallen by 1%, prompted by a 2.2% fall in the score for stability and safety. The Report also indicated that 10 cities had perceptibly improved their living conditions over the last five years. Kathmandu was the only city from South Asia in this grouping.
The indicators were carefully chosen and tried to cover all the parameters associated with urban living. They included- prevalence of both petty and violent crime, threat of terror, threat of military conflict, threat of civil unrest, quality of private and public healthcare, discomfort of climate for travelers, level of corruption, quality of public transport, quality of energy provision and quality of water provision.
One needs to analyze the decision of Dhaka being the second worst city to live in against this background and with an open mind. Making a holistic analysis of Dhaka, as a livable city would be difficult to say the least. With a population nearing 17 million, it is not only one of the fastest growing cities of the world but faced with serious limitations related to urban governance.
The city also continues to deteriorate because of lack of coordination among 56 government agencies responsible for providing services to its citizens- including the RAJUK, the two City Corporations and Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA). It has also been noted that the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) meant for Dhaka was not prepared after practical field visits. This has now moved the relevant authorities to prepare another master plan- the Dhaka Structure Plan (DSP)-2016-2035. Analysts have indicated that the new Plan will aim to protect the flood-flow zones, canals, rivers, ponds and flood water retention areas through land acquisition and proper demarcation to save surface water from contamination and help storm drainage and ground water percolation. This emphasis on quick drainage of rainwater to avoid water-logging has come to the fore after the recent problems faced by the Dhaka population several times in September. One can only hope that necessary measures and steps will be taken in this regard by the relevant urban planning experts- the sooner the better.
Syed Emdadul Haque, Atsuro Tsutsumi and Anthony Capon in their op-ed published in ‘The Independent’ on 17 September have made certain interesting observations about what stands for an ‘ideal healthy and sustainable urban environment’. They have pointed out the following requirements- (a) Transport- less than 500 metres to a bus stop, with regular bus services every 30 minutes; (b) Food and goods- less than 500 metres to shops; (c) Green space- less than 500 metres to Parks; (d) Access- less than 30 minutes by mass transit to a range of employment, education, social and cultural opportunities- including safe walking and cycling paths; (e) Housing- to be built in a planned manner on the basis of environmental principles, good indoor and outdoor air quality and (f) Social cohesion- a sense of community in the neighborhood with a tolerant and safe environment.
These are good aspirations; however we are discussing here a city spread over about 1620 square kilometers with a population set to cross 20 million in five years. That would be nearly double the total population of several West European countries. This dynamics entails that we try to approach the above desirable points with care.            
Nevertheless, urban planners of Dhaka have quite correctly touched on some very important factors- availability of healthcare facilities. We need to remember in this context that one of the reasons for the silent internal migration from rural to urban areas in developing countries take place due to availability of not only economic opportunities but also the possibility of better healthcare. This however does not stand the litmus test in the case of Dhaka. Living conditions and health provisions are drastically insufficient in the marginal slum areas inhabited by millions who have migrated to Dhaka for existing economic opportunities or, due to erosion of land or river banks or loss of agricultural land due to growing salinity caused by climate variability in coastal areas.
Those living in slums and improvised make-shift shelters in Dhaka are faced with inadequate access to basic infrastructure related to health requirement, poor sanitation systems, worsening environmental pollution and unhealthy water availability. Consequently, viral and communicable diseases are prevalent in these areas and the mortality rate of children less than five years old living in such slums is estimated to be almost double of the rest of Dhaka.
Air pollution is also worsening in Dhaka. The National Institute of Diseases of the Chest Hospital has suggested that this has led to a geometrical increase in the number of Dhaka’s citizens suffering from allergy, pulmonary, respiratory and neurological illnesses. This is being caused by growing toxicity in the air and water due to downloading of toxic wastes in the water bodies (by leather and dyeing units) surrounding Dhaka, smoke arising from the many brick kilns surrounding Dhaka and also in the toxic emission of unfit transport carriers on roads. The Bangladesh Road Transport Autho­rity, the Urban Management Unit of Local Government Engineering Depart­ment and the relevant Directorate of the Ministry of Environment need to be more efficient in their efforts and not succumb to misgover­nance or the temptation of corruption. Brick making and establishing of brickfields near residential areas must not also be allowed under any circumstance.
Another point that needs to be addressed by the City Corporation Authorities relates to the efficient and speedy clearance of garbage that is produced on a daily basis in Dhaka. It has been pointed out that the total household waste generated every day in the city is about 4000 tons of which only 40 to 45 percent are collected by the Municipal authorities. The rest is littered next to road sides or in canals creating health hazards. One needs to add to this figure industrial wastes which are also disposed off under the scanner.  
The next element that needs to be addressed carefully and in a more organized manner is the question of the deteriorating traffic situation. ‘The New Republic’, an important US magazine has dubbed Dhaka as the “traffic capital of the world”. This sarcastic observation means that the notoriety of our situation has gained world-wide attention. On any day of the week, or evening, except for the morning hours of weekly holiday- Friday, one requires at least one hour to travel to any destination between 6 to 10 kilometers. That would be considered as absurd in any other city. This effect of being taken ‘hostage’ while travelling in a bus, rickshaw, auto-rickshaw or in a car leaves every commuter frustrated. It also does not add to the image of the country. Tedious manual manipulation of 60 traffic lights spread over several street intersections in different parts of Dhaka adds to the complexity of traffic flow.
This unfortunate situation goes downhill even further because drivers of vehicles, particularly buses and auto-rickshaws do not observe road and lane regulations. The presence of motorized and non-motorized vehicles at the same time on the narrow streets and important cross-city roads also act as a detracting factor.
Another important element that adds to the chaos on Dhaka streets are its pavements. Within the two City Corporations of Dhaka there is about 165 km of pavements. The two authorities are supposed to maintain these pathways. However, nearly 90 km of these pathways are now under illegal occupation through the setting up of shops. This illegal occupation hinders movement of pedestrians and also contributes to creation of unwanted plastic garbage. This is especially true of the following city areas- Farmgate, Gulistan, Jatrabari, Saydabad, Mirpur, Mouchak, Shantinagar, Motijheel, New Market, Nilkhet, Nawabpur, Karwan Bazar, Gulshan 1 and 2, Badda, Natun Bazar, Baridhara J Block and Uttara. Attempts are sometimes made to free these intrusions and punish the illegal occupants according to existing Corporation regulations. However, very soon, within days of eviction, they are normally back again, thanks to corrupt officials.
One cannot conclude about the livable aspects of Dhaka without also referring to the presence of beggars in general in most cross roads and traffic light points- but particularly near up-market Hotels and  in residential areas like Dhanmondi, Banani, Baridhara, Uttara and Gulshan. It definitely affects the image of the country when people visiting Bangladesh are confronted with disabled people and mothers holding on to infants begging for food. That does not inspire confidence in the country and definitely affects the potential of tourism.
We have a lot of problems that need to be resolved if we are to move up the ladder. In addition to political will, we require resources (public-private partnership under CSR), civic consciousness and commitment towards good governance.
We have seen that if Dhaka citizens want to, they can keep the city clean. On 25 September, the Eid ul Adha was observed with great enthusiasm throughout Dhaka. Despite the numerous animal sacrifices, the city was clean in a few hours- thanks to a proactive engagement between the citizens and the two  city corporation workers. They demonstrated that the city can be kept clean if we so want it.  If we can continue like this, it will help us to break through the glass ceiling and save Dhaka from continuing as a patient in the ICU as described by North Dhaka City Mayor Annisul Huq.  
 
The writer , a former Ambassador, is an analyst specialized in foreign affairs, right to information and good governance. He  can be reached at <[email protected]

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Editor : M. Shamsur Rahman

Published by the Editor on behalf of Independent Publications Limited at Media Printers, 446/H, Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1215.
Editorial, News & Commercial Offices : Beximco Media Complex, 149-150 Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh. GPO Box No. 934, Dhaka-1000.

Editor : M. Shamsur Rahman
Published by the Editor on behalf of Independent Publications Limited at Media Printers, 446/H, Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1215.
Editorial, News & Commercial Offices : Beximco Media Complex, 149-150 Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh. GPO Box No. 934, Dhaka-1000.

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