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The 4th seminar on “Project for Development of Policy and Guidelines for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) along Mass Transit Corridors,” implemented by the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK), was held on 23 November 2025 at the Bangladesh–China Friendship Conference Center. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Honorable Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (EFCC) & Water Resources (WR), graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Mr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Public Works, attended as the Special Guest, along with Mr. ICHIGUCHI Tomohide, Chief Representative, JICA Bangladesh Office, as a distinguished guest.
The seminar was chaired by Engr. Md. Reazul Islam, Chairman, RAJUK, who emphasized the need for coordinated development of TOD in Dhaka.
A. Overview of the Seminar:
This 4th seminar marked the final event under Phase 1 of the TOD Technical Cooperation Project. It highlighted the progress made so far and presented:
(i) Overall Activities and Output from the Project (ii) sharing information on the contents of Draft the Rights Conversion Scheme (iii) the TOD pilot case study of redevelopment in Gabtoli South.
In her opening remarks, Project Director Ms. Mahfuja Aktar stated that the TOD Guidelines have already been approved by the government and published in the official gazette in May 2025. Following presentations by the Japanese Project Team (JPT) on project outputs, draft Right Conversion Rules under the amended TIA, and the Gabtoli South integrated development proposal, senior officials—including Md. Abdul Baki Mia, Director (Planning and Development), DMTCL; Mr. Mohammad Bashirul Haque Bhuiyan, Member (Planning), RAJUK; and Brig. Gen. Md Moin Uddin, SUP, SPP, NDC, PSC, Chief Engineer, Dhaka North City Corporation—discussed the challenges of implementing TOD in Dhaka.
B. Keynotes
Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan called for bold reforms to address Dhaka’s long-standing urban issues, cautioning that unchecked, concrete-heavy expansion has made the city unsafe and poorly managed. She stressed that open spaces, ecological buffers, and environmental safeguards must not be compromised for the sake of metro stations or commercial development.
She expressed concern over the city’s fragile public transport system, stating:
“Buses emitting black smoke run on our streets every day. Without reforming vehicle and transport management systems, making Dhaka livable is impossible.” She also criticized the slow progress in relocating hazardous chemical warehouses from Old Dhaka, blaming vested interests for obstructing necessary reforms.
“Dhaka’s residents need spaces to breathe,” she added. Key Messages from the Adviser
She emphasized that:
While expressing optimism that TOD could increase the amount of open space, parks, and green areas, she cautioned against unnecessary commercial development, noting that Dhaka has a surplus of markets but a shortage of safe, open, and accessible public spaces.
