Documentation of the
Bangladesh Urban Research Forum May 26-27, 2011 Khulna University, Bangladesh
Deutsche Gesellschaft f端r Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH P.O. Box 6091 Road 90, House 10/A, Gulshan 2 Dhaka 1212 / Bangladesh T +880 9666701000 F +880 2 882 30 99 I www.giz.de/bangladesh
IMPRINT On 1 January 2011, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH was formed. It brings together the long-standing expertise of the Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst gGmbH (DED), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH and InWEnt – Internationale Weiterbildung und Entwicklung gGmbH. For further information, go to www.giz.de. Published by: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Good Urban Governance P.O. Box 6091 Road 90, House 10A, Gulshan 2 Dhaka 1212 / Bangladesh T +880 9666701000 ext-161 I www.giz.de/bangladesh
Responsible of information compiled in this publication:
Contributors:
Dr. Alexander Jachnow - alexander.jachnow@giz.de
Kazi Saiful Islam
Officer/Unit responsible for publication:
Photos:
Paola Ribadeneira – Advisor/Corporate Communication
Cover: © GIZ/Ananya Senjuti
and Public Relations Unit – GIZ Office Dhaka
Back Cover: © GIZ/Juan Carvajal
Executive editors:
p. 4, 15, 22: © GIZ/Juan Carvajal, Ananya Senjuti
Dr. Alexander Jachnow
p. 5: © GIZ/ Mona Mijthab
Anne Doose
p. 44, 51, 55, 58, 59: © GIZ/ Anne Doose
Ananya Senjuti
other BURF photos: © GIZ
Text editors:
Designed and printed by: Tradex bd
Ananya Senjuti
Place and date of publishing:
Anne Doose
Dhaka - Bangladesh
Ishtiuq Hossain
August 2011
Esha Chowdhury
The views expressed in this publication do not represent the official views of GIZ or any of the organizations, bodies or institutions named along the publication. We would like to thank Urban and Rural Planning Discipline of Khulna University for their contribution in the publication. The “Documentation of the Bangladesh Urban Research Forum” has been published with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Development Cooperation (BMZ), through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 01.
Bangladesh Urban Research Forum and GIZ
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02.
BURF-Behind the lens
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03.
BURF-Program
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04.
Inaugural Session of BURF
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05.
Panel discussion “Research Demands and Support for Governmental and Development Agencies – new links between research, academia and the government”
06.
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Thematic sessions of BURF 6.1 Bridging the Urban Divide: Inclusive Cities & Economies
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6.2 Resilient Cities: Adapting to Climate Change, protecting the environment
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6.3 The Right to the City: Equal Access to Shelter, Land and Services
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6.4 DiverCity: Urban & Cultural Identities
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6.5 Towards Good Urban Governance: Citizens’ Participation in transparent and accountable local governments
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07.
Urban Research Networks and Fora Worldwide
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08.
Summary of 2nd Day activities
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09.
Khulna Declaration
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10.
Ad-hoc Committee of BURF
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11.
Participants and Organizers of the event
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Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
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1. The Bangladesh Urban Research Forum and GIZ Bangladesh Urban Research Forum (BURF) is established to create a common platform and a network for sharing and disseminating knowledge among researchers, academics and experts dealing with urban issues. BURF meetings shall help identifying the pressing urban issues through panels, presentations and discussions and serve as a platform to get to know the different agenda and ideas of Bangladesh’s manifold research and teaching institutions. A number of nationally and internationally accredited researchers, academicians, and representatives (from national, local government and development partners) have joined our efforts and have discussed about the future research needs, challenges and impact of the identified research frontiers in the kick-off event of BURF in May 2011 at the University of Khulna, documented in this BURFlet. The prime aim of such a forum is to foster the discussion on urban research, link academia with decision makers / urban stakeholders for a consistent policy advice and document research done by the joint initiatives of public and private universities. Good Urban Governance, a project of the Local Government and Engineering Department, jointly funded by the Government of Bangladesh and pourashavas, Asian Development Bank and the German Government, supports the BURF as the national platform for discussion on urban policies and knowledge management. The BURF is expected to link government agencies and support the decision making process. GIZ supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and it is also engaged in international education work around the globe. Bangladesh is a partner country of German development cooperation. On behalf of the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ in Bangladesh provides technical cooperation in three priority areas: Health Care , Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, and Governance and Local Development; recently GIZ has also expanded its support to the area of Environment and Climate Change. The Good Urban Governance Program contributes substantially to Bangladesh’s reform efforts in the Priority Area of Governance and Local Development. With its participative approach at the local level, the project represents a coherent supplement to other existing initiatives. Through GIZ’s support to the Second Urban Governance and Infrastructure Improvement Project (UGIIP2), which is implemented by the LGED and co-financed by ADB and KfW, a range of innovations have already been developed and implemented in terms of communication, transparency and participation. Furthermore, Good Urban Governance responds to the need for national policy advice and innovations in the urban sector. It prepares national actors and decision makers for the immense urban challenges in the near future and continues with the difficult task of donor harmonization in the field of urban development.
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2. BURF: Behind the lens “The Urban and Rural Planning Discipline of Khulna University, with the support of Good Urban Governance, GIZ Bangladesh, convened the leading departments of different universities and research institutions in Bangladesh and hosted the first Bangladesh Urban Research Forum on May the 26-27, 2011 in Khulna. It is expected that the forum will prove valuable and time befitting for the spirit and purpose of sustainable urban planning of Bangladesh.� Kazi Saiful Islam, Dr. Eng. is an Urban Planner and also the convener of the ad-hoc committee of Bangladesh Urban Research Forum. He graduated in Urban and Rural Planning Discipline from Khulna University. He completed his Masters of Engineering (Urban Engineering) and Doctor of Engineering (Urban Engineering) from the University of Tokyo, Japan. His research interest includes pro-poor housing, urban poverty and spatial econometrics. Dear Reader, You are now holding the BURFlet in your hand, an informative report on the first meeting of the newly formed Bangladesh Urban Research Forum (BURF) that took place on May 26th and 27th, 2011 at the Urban and Rural Planning Discipline of Khulna University. Urban Bangladesh To jot-down the most significant changes in this era of human civilization, the ever-increasing urbanization and the growing urban centers would top the list without any doubt. Bangladesh is one of the fastest urbanizing countries in the Southeast Asia Region. The cities are growing at a rate of 4% per annum. This rapid growth of urbanization is expected to continue till the country transitions from low-income to middle-income country. Cities are the powerhouses for Bangladesh’s economic growth. Only 30% of the total population of Bangladesh living in urban areas contributes 50% to the national GDP. Therefore, urbanization has become synonymous to development. With the increase of urbanization, both: dimensions and depth of the problems has been escalating significantly too. In order to ensure inclusive and sustainable urban development, urban researchers and think-tanks need to set futuristic goals with inquisitive mind. The fast pace of unplanned and uncontrolled urban growth, combined with its unbalanced structure brings enormous challenges for urban planners, managers, practitioners, researchers and civil society. On one hand, our cities are the breeding ground for many problems; and on the other hand, our cities are the promises of a prosperous future; as a place where people can make a living, get good jobs and services, educate their children, find decent housing with running water, electricity, and sewers, and get high quality medical care. Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
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As the world – and with it Bangladesh – moves more towards urbanization facing continuous increasing urban challenges; countries need to learn to identify faster not only those challenges, but also, to make efforts to mobilize the necessary resources and bring in solutions. Why do we need research? The term “Research” is difficult to define in short. However, we can say that it is the systematic investigation and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions and solutions for development. Often development policies and projects in Bangladesh overlook the principle of knowledge-based development. Moreover there is a need for more research, as data and information is not yet available or updated. Whereas, Universities and research institutions are ready to give governments, donors and the private sector a hand to jointly work on the sustainable development of the country ensuring that policies and strategies are designed on the basis of needs. Urban planners and practitioners have been trying to solve the urban problems for the last couple of decades, but still the cities are not able to cope with the bulging population; many of the city plans have failed. Now more than ever we need original, insightful, revolutionary, efficient, factual and innovative solutions to maintain economic viability of the city, to create a sustainable environment, and to meet the challenges of social safety and cohesion. Why do we need a Forum? In ancient Rome, leaders and politicians gathered in the Forum Romanum, to debate on problems and find political decisions. The Forum Romanum is the ancestor of our parliamentary democracy. It served as a marketplace and open space for all citizens. To be able to face and solve the multiple urban challenges in Bangladesh, we need such an open and inclusive forum. The dimensions of the urban problems have increased so significantly that no researcher can deal with all these issues single handedly. Thus, there is a need of a platform that will promote multidisciplinary discussion to generate innovative and unique solutions ensuring sustainable urban development. The Bangladesh Urban Research Forum wants to offer this platform for debate in the urban sector for its urban researchers, practitioners and students and as an open marketplace for all urban stakeholders. Urban Fora worldwide Throughout the world, urban research fora have been established to foster the discussion about urban research, policies, and development. These are the platforms that tackle the 6
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ever-increasing challenges of an urban world. Several institutions generally form a body and involve in the research on the Urban Sector. They work through publications, joint research, media dissemination, policy advice or the improvement of urban related university curricula. The people involved are mainly researchers, teachers and trainers; professionals and experts who undertake necessary actions to ensure sustainable and inclusive urban development. One of the platforms is N-AERUS- Network- Association of Europeans Research on Urbanization in the South–Europe. It is a network, of researchers and experts working on urban issues in developing countries, created in March 1996 by a group of European researchers. Its objective is to mobilize and develop the European institutional and individual research and training capacities on urban issues in the South with the support of institutions and individual researchers with relevant experience in this field. Another relevant example could be the Urban and Regional Development Institute (URDI), Indonesia. They aim at promoting sustainable urban and regional development, by providing publications and other means for exchange of knowledge, to enhance communication and cooperation among different stakeholders in the field of urban and regional development, developing research and policy analysis to provide alternative solutions to current issues and organizing training and other local capacity building exercise to support local governments in dealing with the current and future challenges and experience. An Urban Research Forum for Bangladesh Till now, Bangladesh lacks an urban policy. Both national and local governments are not prepared satisfactorily to face the challenges of increasing multi-dimensional urban complexities. Nonetheless, Urban and Rural Planners of Khulna University believe that Bangladeshi Universities and Research Institutions are quite capable of providing innovative solutions. In a joint effort, research institutions and universities can support national and local governments, the non-governmental sectors and development partners in formulating policies, providing technical know-how in order to strengthen governance system. They could improve and adapt university education for the challenges of the future such as urbanization, climate change, and poverty reduction, among others; in order to provide Bangladesh with capable future urban planners, researchers, managers and professionals working in related fields. They could also share ideas, do action research, link academia with decision makers/urban stakeholders for a consistent policy advice; or work for a better documentation and public awareness on their research. They could form a network of excellence and set the agenda for urban policies in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Urban Research Forum can act as a national level platform for discussion on urban policies as well.
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First Meeting of BURF in Khulna The Urban and Rural Planning Discipline of Khulna University, together with the Good Urban Governance Program – supported by GIZ –, decided to convene those leading universities and research institutions in Bangladesh for the first time and to host the first Bangladesh Urban Research Forum on May the 26th and 27th in 2011 in Khulna. Around 180 people and more than 25 research and academic institutions from all over Bangladesh attended the forum. The vanguard of urban research frontier in Bangladesh presented their fields of research, their profiles and thoughts. The first day of the Forum identified the pressing urban issues through panel discussions, presentations and discussions; and served as a platform to get to know the different agendas and ideas of Bangladesh’s research and teaching institutions. A number of nationally and internationally acclaimed researchers and academicians joined this program to discuss about the future research needs, challenges and impact of the identified research frontiers that would set forth the guidelines for the future research related activities of the forum. The discussions were sparked by the presentations and expertise of Development Partners (like GIZ, UNDP, World Bank, World Food Program) and local government authorities (KCC & KDA). The second day was primarily dedicated to a workshop on the organization of a powerful Bangladesh Urban Research Forum. To continue with the constitution of such a Forum, an Ad-Hoc Committee was elected, who would take on the task of a joint plan for action and the development of proposals for the constitution of BURF. As a first step, the Committee submitted the “Khulna Declaration of the Bangladesh Urban Research Forum”, a self-commitment and appealed for better urban research and urban knowledge dissemination. I would personally like to express my gratitude to all participants, colleagues and contributors of the first meeting of BURF. Without your energy, ideas and support, this would not have been possible. I am looking forward to the formation of a bright BURF and I am very happy to be able to contribute to these efforts. I expect that the forum will prove valuable and time befitting for the spirit and purpose of sustainable urban research and planning of Bangladesh. Your sincerely, Kazi Saiful Islam, Dr. Eng. Convener, Ad-hoc committee, Bangladesh Urban Research Forum (BURF) And Assistant Professor, Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University Email- saiful_ku@yahoo.com 8
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3. BURF Program Time 8:30-9:30 9:30-11:15
Program Arrival of Guests and Registration Inaugural Session Welcome addresses by special guests and Vote of Thanks 11:00-11:30 Tea break 11:30-13:00 Panel Discussion: “Research Demands and Support for Governmental and Development Agencies – new links between research, academia and the government” The invited representatives from national and local government, development partners, research and academia: Moderator: Dr. Alexander Jachnow, Principal Advisor, Good Urban Governance, GIZ 13:45– 17:00 : Parallel Sessions on BURNing urban issues Resilient Cities: Adapting to Climate Bridging the Urban Divide: Inclusive Cities & Change, protecting the environment Economies Session Speaker: Dr. Binayak Sen, BIDS Session Speakers:: ATM Nurul Amin, NSU Ashraful Amin, BCAS The Right to the City: Equal Diver City: Urban & Towards Good Urban Access to Shelter, Land Cultural Identities Governance: and Services Citizens’ Participation in transparent and accountable local governments Session Speaker: Taimur Session Speakers: Prof. Session Speakers: Dr. Nurul Islam Nazem, CUS Islam, UGS Hossain Zillur Rahman, PPRC Sheikh Serajul Hakim, KU Dr. Md. Ghulam Murtaza, URPD, KU 17:00-17:30 Tea Break 17:30 – 18:30
5 Session Presentations in the Plenary Closing Remarks
May 27, 2011 Consultations with invited Research Institutions and Universities on the Formation of the Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
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4. Inaugural Session of the Bangladesh Urban Research Forum (BURF) took place in Khulna, Bangladesh. The event was organized by the Urban and the Rural Planning Discipline of Khulna University and supported by the Good Urban Governance Program. A number of nationally and internationally renowned researchers, academicians and representatives from national, local government and development partners graced the occasion. The welcome address was given by Professor Dr. Mohsin Uddin Ahmed, Head of URP Discipline, Khulna University. He highlighted the issues related to the rapid urbanization and the history of the urban planning in Bangladesh and also mentioned that BURF could support the government to achieve the Vision 2021 as well as support to develop effective urban policies for Bangladesh. Additionally, some other distinguished guests gave their speech in the opening ceremony, like Professor Dr. Md. Saifuddin Shah ( Vice Chancellor, Khulna University), Professor Golam Rahman (former Vice Chancellor, Khulna University), Dr Monir Ahmed (Save the Children- Chair of Extreme Poverty Group), Professor Mahbub Ullah (Chairman, Development studies, Dhaka University), Roxana Hafiz (Professor, BUET), Professor Dr. Nurul Islam Nazem (Secretary, Center for Urban Studies) and representative from Shiree project, United Nations Development Programme. All the speakers focused on the importance of the establishment of BURF and its role in urban development in Bangladesh. Key Messages of BURF 2011 A fresh range of interesting and innovative ideas came up from the speech of the special guests of the inaugural session. They are: ■ There is scope to explore the role of the development partners in supporting research initiatives in Bangladesh. ■ There is a gap between the research conducted by the universities and the practitioners in the country. Therefore, finding out the appropriate mechanism to bridge the gap and disseminating research findings is essential. ■ There is a lack of coordination among researchers and policy makers in Bangladesh. Hence, it is necessary to link them up. Policy recommendation in researches needs to be encouraged. ■ There is no funding to conduct researches. The universities could approach to the government as well as donor agencies for research funding. Furthermore, there is a possibility for the private sector to conduct market research and study other topics which meet their interests. In this way, the students could get more funding to conduct researches which will automatically bring up quality products from the academic level. ■ A research forum could connect different sectors in order to support the urban and rural scenario needed in Bangladesh. 10
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■ There is a lack of theoretical background on research. Empirical studies have been done but there is a deficit on urban theoretical research in Bangladesh. ■ Embedding the research activities among the projects is necessary. There is a need to identify the lessons learned from the projects and how to apply those lessons. As well as, to identify available knowledge, in order to push in the information while designing and planning the projects. ■ There is a need to solve the problem of lack of information in Bangladesh for doing good quality research. For instance, practitioners are not able to make decisions due to lack of information. ■ Research should be related to the real life experiences. Urban research is a multi disciplinary issue and need to engage different sectors. It is important to have a multi disciplinary approach where institutions from other organizations such as history, social sciences etc. should be also included. ■ There is a necessity to develop research cells in municipalities. ■ There are different researchers available in Bangladesh but they have no link among them and the research organizations. ■ In short, three issues are identified as challenges for doing research in Bangladesh, such as o Research is project based; o Lack of connection from academy to practice (there are students producing research for their PhDs which could be connected to policy makers), and o Dissemination of researchers and research findings regularly.
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5. Panel discussion Research Demands and Support for Governmental and Development Agencies – new links between research, academia and the government” However, in a developing country like Bangladesh, it is always difficult to do researches due to lack of adequate funding. Thus, BURF popped-up the opportunity to raise this issue infront of the renowned researchers, academics, national and local government representatives, and development partners, which resulted in a fruitful outcome to establish a linkage among them. The panel discussion on “Research Demands and Support for Governmental and Development Agencies – new links between research, academia and the government” was moderated by Dr. Alexander Jachnow, Principal Advisor, Good Urban Governance, GIZ. Representatives from different sides participated as panelists to give a broader view and perspectives. The participants were: Representative of practitioners’ associations in the Urban Sector/Academia & Research: 1) Prof. Dr. Golam Rahman, Founder President of Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) “All the urban planners in Bangladesh have been my pupils“ Representative of Academia: 1) Prof. Dr. Shamim Mahabubul Haque, Professor, Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University 2) Prof. Dr. Md. Saifuddin Shah, Vice Chancellor, Khulna University and Convener of the First Bangladesh Urban Research Forum 36 years in teaching, researcher (Chief Scientist), joined KU in 1995, has been offered the post VC Khulna University in 2008 Representatives of the Donor Community 1) Dr. Munir Ahmed, Save the Children UK, Chair of the Extreme Poverty Research Group (EPRG) 2) Md. Aktharuz zaman, Senior Advisor, Water and Sanitation Program (wsp), World Bank Representatives of Local Government Abir ul Jabbar, KCC Chief Urban Planner, has studied at URP Discipline of Khulna University
At the beginning of the session Dr Alexander Jachnow requested the panelists to introduce themselves to the public and then the first question he asked was: “What can you offer regarding new links between research, academia and the government? How can your organization engage in Urban Research or in which fields are you already engaged?” In response to the question the panelists’ views were:
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Professor A.K.M Abul Kalam Chairman, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka Prof. Kalam is currently acting as the General Secretary of Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP). He obtained Bachelor and Masters from Jahangirnagar University, Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from BUET and Ph.D. from Salford University, the United Kingdom in 1991. He did postdoctoral researches in U.K. and Germany.
“I believe that Bangladesh Urban Research Forum 2011 organized jointly by Khulna University and GIZ has created an opportunity to share experiences and ideas among different academic institutions, organizations and individuals. I wish that formation of a national platform in this regard, may help creation of an environment for national dialogue on policy issues for planned urban development in Bangladesh. All stakeholders in urban research and development including international development partners will benefit from sharing knowledge and experiences through such efforts. I hope that the efforts will continue in future.”
Saifuddin Shah: “For me, there is the need for research and the need for supporting research. Research is a two way forward- to do research, we need data. The government and development partners have their own needs and priorities. By developing networks, we can initiate dialogues, we can connect researchers around the country….This forum can generate funds by submitting proposals to development partners”. Shamim Haque reports on his current assignment: A cost estimation for road construction, where he noticed that “Numbers are so flexible! As a practitioner it is sometimes very hard, because you lack exact figures.” He identifies a gap between “the kind of research we do at the university and the kind of research that practitioners use” and states that “dissemination of research (at the university, editor’s note) is missing….There is a need to build coordination between researchers and the users of the research.” According to Shamim Haque, a multidisciplinary approach in research, like practiced at Khulna University and the URP Discipline, is needed. He also mentioned that good research is conducted by a lot of university teachers (based on their own initiative), but that funding shortage, especially at public universities, constitutes a major problem, resulting in a lack of quality research: “Teachers have no access to quality research (finance, editor’s note).” Regarding the education of future urban planners and practitioners, Shamim points out that the master programs are, in their majority, self-funded, which is difficult for both teachers and students. He wonders how to integrate research findings and research activities into curricula: “There is a problem to involve students in conducting research because they Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
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have other commitments. Theoretical research is missing in our universities; there is the need to engage the research and findings to design projects.” Abir-ul Jabbar: “What kind of research could KCC offer? What is the demand from others towards KCC?” He emphasizes that, rather than offering, local governments like KCC are in need of research - since they don’t have a research cell they call their own: “We need more planners and a research cell” He reports that local governments rely on the numbers, facts and figures provided by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, but LGED do not have sufficient data available to plan properly. Due to this insufficiency, Abir often seeks help with URP of Khulna University, his old faculty. He also mentions the need for studies in the field of urban transport, water and sanitation or drainage or products like geographical information systems. Furthermore, he states that “There is the need for technical approval research to support the projects.” Alexander Jachnow: “This question goes to the representatives of the donor community: How do you deal with the mentioned shortage of data in general and the lack of reliable data? Do you involve yourselves in research? Md. Aktharuz Zaman: “Indeed it is very difficult to get good data. But we too have limited capacities and budgets for conducting our own research, much to our regret. Often we do not have the right data. When a project is designed, there is a conflict due to the lack of reliable data or availability of good research. Planners (working with Development Partners, editor’s note) need research! Someone has to guarantee access to existing research….we work very closely with the government – there is scope to engage research in development cooperation and with development partners. We can’t lose time.” Alexander Jachnow: “How about the practitioners? How is their access to data? How is research implemented?” Golam Rahman starts his statement with an anecdotal review of a long and sometimes challenging professional life as a professor, researcher and practitioner in the urban sector: “I started my journey in BUET. We had very little research – there was no research at all! We started gradually with it…..” Although the Institute of Planners was founded in the late sixties and is well established, the government doesn’t provide any kind of research funds for organizations like BIP until today. “Professional organizations should contribute to urban research. We should emphasize this need, form a platform and pressure the government…..Research should support the government and their Research and Development Sections” that are, in the opinion of Golam Rahman, often dysfunctional, but as well practitioners like real estate managers or developers, in order to relieve the development pressure on cities and guarantee sustainable urban development.
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To be successful, Golam Rahman advises the Bangladesh Urban Research Forum to include different levels and regions. “There is no alternative to research. I don’t know why this hasn’t happened in this country up to now for the welfare and the sustainable development of the country.” Munir Ahmed: “The Extreme Poverty Research Group is similar to the Bangladesh Urban Research Forum: it is a platform created by Shiree for different NGOs and Donors to exchange on Extreme Poverty and advocate for the matter of the extreme poor…. We could make use of our meeting today to combine our efforts between the Extreme Poverty Research Group and this Forum….” From his experience, donors are not interested in research, since it takes time and project life cycles are short. He calls for acceptance of the necessity to integrate research into projects and the project design process: “You need to integrate knowledge management in the project design….we need best practices on knowledge management…..we have to engage with the policy makers….” But Munir emphasizes as well the importance of the private sector and calls for their involvement in the Forum. “The private sector conducts research and needs research.” He sees it as both the possibility to influence urban development in a positive way and as a possible source of funding for the Forum. After that discussion Alexander Jachnow invited other special guests for a statement on new links between researchers and the government. Mahbub Ullah, Head of Department for Development Studies, Dhaka University: “Research takes time. For empirical research you need a lot of time to gather information.” He names 3 important stages of research that should not be forgotten: “1. Information , 2. Knowledge, 3. Wisdom.” He directly replies to the argument of several panelists that the quality and amount of research is constrained by a lack of funding: “This is not the lack of financial opportunities, but the lack of enthusiasm and curiosity!”, referring to Karl Marx, who suffered from poverty, but was still capable of producing a world-changing philosophy. He claims that research should be driven by curiosity, not by donor requests or interests. Like others, he is worried about a multidisciplinary approach of the Forum: “Why is there no historian today? Bangladesh is a very poor country, a country that doesn’t allocate funds for Research & Development.” Mahbub Ullah sees, like Munir from Save the Children, the need to involve the private sector in research, because “networking is a good idea, but it is not enough.” Because of the grand urban matter, he appeals to everyone to “overcome those petty things that lead the political tribes in Bangladesh.” He names a forum that could serve as a reference: The Bangladesh Fisheries Research Forum (http://bfrf.org/, editor’s note). Roxana Hafiz, Head of Department, Urban and Rural Planning Department, BUET: emphasizes the importance of teaching students theory(s). From her point of view, a multidisciplinary approach in research in the urban sector is a must, but she wants to see the influence of the private sector in urban research limited, because “the independence of research is important”. Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
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Tusar Kanti Roy Assistant Professor Department of Urban and Regional Planning, KUET Tusar Kanti Roy is Assistant Professor in the department of Urban and Regional Planning (URP) of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET). He has MURP and BURP from Khulna University. His research areas of interest are land use and land management, environmental planning and solid waste management, health, water and sanitation, sustainable livelihood of the poor etc.
‘Commencement of BURF from Khulna University involving other institutions will bring together all the urban researchers in a common platform. I think BURF will address all the emerging urban problems and solutions for making the cities of Bangladesh planned, safe, environment friendly and pro people.’
Nurul Islam Nazem, Professor of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka and Honorary Secretary, Centre for Urban Studies from University of Dhaka: “A lot of decisions are taken without a proper knowledge basis. Knowledge-based decision making is needed. We need information to create such knowledge. All the national level institutions should have research cells. They should collect data themselves.” Dr. Nurul mentions the missing linkage between research institutions like the Center for Urban Studies (CUS), the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) or the Bangladesh Geographic Society and regrets it, because the isolated research of these institutions does not produce “enough impact. We must involve as many scholars as possible!” ATM Nurul Amin, Professor and Dean of Dept. of Environmental Science and Management, School of Engineering and Applied Science, North South University: “It’s the researchers that are not connected.” In his opinion, a lot of researchers should just base themselves on “history and statistics” to improve the quality of research. Decision-makers would also benefit from a look into the matter. ATM Nurul Amin mentions the fact that many university thesis contain policy advice sections. “Why not make use of the PhD Thesis? The donor agencies employ unnecessary consultancies. The thesis are not used for implementation. Why?” The Bangladesh Urban Research Forum should serve for the exchange of ideas, for example of the “vicious circle of poverty”, where “still a lot of research is needed.”
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Alexander Jachnow mentions BIP’s Urban Data Cell initiative – which would be meta-data catalogue for urban data and studies and requests concluding remarks form panelists, “regarding the general lack of information, which has been consensus among all speakers so far. What do you want to demand from BURF? What can you and your institution offer to BURF?” Abir-ul Jabbar: “KCC needs drainage, waste management, GIS, water & sanitation studies, such as data about climate refugees. We need funding. Technical projects are often not approved by the national government. We would like to invite universities to cooperate with us.” Munir Ahmed: “Let’s combine our efforts! I think it is very important to gather. We should involve the private sector to gain greater impact!” Golam Rahman: “We should encourage people to come forward. The Research & Development Sections of the Government do not work, governments need organized support. We should get involved locally, nationally, internationally with this program.” Aktharuzzaman calls for more interfaces between researchers and governments and for closing the “gap between individual initiatives and the planning of projects.” He wants to see the initiative starting as early as possible. Shamim Haque: “Our students very often gather data for projects. We should not abuse students for sending them to the field… time is needed for quality research - this is a long-term commitment! Trouble is: Teachers do not have enough time to do quality research. The product is rushed field research that constitutes development projects in no time with a lot of implementation difficulties. The whole procedure is wrong.” Saifuddin Shah proposes various objectives and activities for Bangladesh Urban Research Forum (BURF): • Networking: Link development/private sector researchers with university researchers. • Information sharing among urban professionals, by a database or dialogues: “We can initiate dialogues like fora or symposia” • BURF should produce a publication • BURF should deliver trophies to distinguished scientists • BURF could generate funds from donors or government This panel discussion has served to share views and opinions regarding the importance of conducting research. The panelists have indentified the main reasons for the current lack of research or isolation of research works in specific areas, as well as how development organizations can be linked to researches and how the data can be used. Additionally, the challenges faced by the practitioners and the scholars while doing research was discussed; as well as the measures that may help to improve the quality of research. Alexander Jachnow thanked the panelists and speakers for their contributions and gave the closing remarks with an optimistic outlook on future BURF activities. Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
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5.1 Summary of key messages of panelists and speakers divided into problems/ challenges and proposed objectives and activities of BURF Problem: Isolated Researchers in the Urban Sector - Proposed objective: A forum of urban researchers is needed How to achieve the objective of building a forum? • “by Developing a network, we can initiate dialogues” and connect researchers throughout the country • Combine efforts between the Extreme Poverty Research Group and the Bangladesh Urban Research Forum • As many scholars as possible should be involved in BURF to produce enough impact • Bangladesh Urban Research Forum should support the exchange of ideas • Local, national and international networking is needed • "Networking is good, but not enough.” • A multidisciplinary approach in research is needed • To be successful, the Bangladesh Urban Research Forum should include different levels and regions. • As many scholars as possible should be involved in BURF to produce enough impact Summary BURF should: • • • •
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have an inclusive (multidisciplinary, multilevel, multinational) approach link itself with existing networks initiate dialogues, support the exchange of ideas go beyond networking
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Bangladesh has been passing through a critical transitional rural phase to urbanism. Because of severe pressure and uneven distribution of urban population, the urban managers are facing tremendous challenges to ensure inclusive and sustainable urban development. To provide innovative solutions for multi-dimensional urban problems, involvement of researches from different streams of knowledge is a must. Bangladesh Urban Research forum is initiated with an expectation to disseminate knowledge and generate innovative solutions for sustainable urban development. Professor Shah has been the Vice-chancellor of Khulna University since 2008. He has a long outstanding teaching and research career of 37 years in Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institution and Khulna University; he also has the unique blend of experiences of academic and research management. He did his Ph.D in Fish genetics from the University of Wales, UK. Problem: The lack of data/research or the lack of availability of data affects the development of Bangladesh (Research – Implementation Gap) • When a project is designed, there is conflict due to the lack of reliable data or availability of good research. • Criticism on common project design processes (rushed field research, “abusing” university students for data collection, time for design too short, implementation difficulties as a consequence) • The Forum initiative is urgent (in the light of Bangladesh’s rapid urbanization, editor’s note) • local governments rely on the numbers, facts and figures provided by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, but they are often insufficient • local governments in general do not have sufficient data available to plan properly • Donors are not interested in research, since it takes time and project life cycles are short. - Proposed objective: BURF should tackle the research-implementation gap to support the sustainable development of Bangladesh What does BURF have to consider in order to overcome the research-implementation gap? ...…in general • “There is a need to build coordination between researchers and the users of the research” • Necessity to integrate research into projects and the project design process. • Necessity to take decisions on a knowledge basis. • For more knowledge, more information is needed Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
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…...cooperating with the national government • “Professional organizations should contribute to urban research. We should emphasize this need, form a platform and pressure the government.” • “Research should support the government (and their Research and Development Sections)” • Decision-makers should make use of the policy advice sections of PhD Theses for project implementation • claim for better knowledge management between academia/research and government/donors ...…cooperating with local governments • Local governments like KCC are in need of research, they “…need more planners and a research cell….and technical approval research to support the projects (of local governments, editor’s note)” • Local governments would like to rely on more diversified sources than LGED only ...…. cooperating with development partners • “There is scope to engage research in development cooperation and with development partners.” • Donors should make use of the policy advice sections of PhD theses for project implementation • Claim for better knowledge management between academia/research and government/donors ...…cooperating and including the private sector and practitioners • “Professional organizations should contribute to urban research. We should emphasize this need, form a platform and pressure the government.” • Research should support practitioners like real estate managers or developers, in order to relieve the development pressure on cities and guarantee sustainable urban development. • Private sector involvement in the Forum is needed • The private sector is both a research provider and a “research consumer” and a possible source of funding. Summary BURF should: - act fast in the light of Bangladesh’s rapid urbanization - involve and link with various stakeholders like local and national government, donors and the private sector (or the communities, editor’s note) - support governments (local, national), donor organizations and the private sector in the quest for sustainable urban development 20
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- create more information as a knowledge basis - complement the data of LGED - work for the integration of research in political decsion-making processes and project design phases - work for an improved knowledge management - make PhD theses available and attractive for governments and donors Problem: The quality of research in the urban sector suffers due to the shortage of funding, time, curiosity, enthusiasm and independence • A lot of academic teachers and researchers in Bangladesh seem to develop good research and research theses self-initiated, but due to the shortage of funding for academic and research institutions, there is a lack of quality research. - Proposed objective: BURF should contribute to improve the quality of research in the urban sector What can BURF do and how can BURF contribute to improve the quality of research? • Include the private sector as a possible source of funding: It is both a research provider and a “research consumer” Good research needs curiosity and enthusiasm as a basis • “Quality research takes time and can’t be rushed” “One cannot compromise with the independence of research.” Summary BURF should: - acquire funds (including e.g. the private sector) - create an enthusiastic environment with realistic time frames for research - ensure independence of research Problem: Research is not (enough) included into university education in the urban sector • It constitutes a big challenge to integrate students into research activities and to give them time for theoretical research in the course of their design projects. - Objective Proposal : BURF should work for a better integration of research in the university education in the urban sector How could BURF integrate research into university education? • • • •
“Teaching theories is important” integration of adequate time for research into theses development processes providing university theses to the “research market” and a wider public through exchange of ideas Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
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Summary BURF should: - strenghten the teaching of theories to university students - work on improved time frames for the integration of research into university theses - provide the “research market” and a wider public with university theses - enhance the exchange of ideas Challenge: Definition of urgent research needs in the urban sector • Objective proposal: BURF should define the most important topics and enhance research in these fields. Which research fields are considered as relevant by BURF right now? • A lot of information and knowledge is provided in the (research) fields of history and statistics, these fields are a kind of primary material for research on urban. • Most urgent research topic in Bangladesh: how to break the vicious circle of poverty How shall BURF define those research topics? - The Ad-Hoc Committee of BURF will propose a methodology
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In brief: BURF objectives proposals • To gain strength, a network of urban researchers is needed • BURF should have an inclusive (multidisciplinary, multilevel, multinational) approach, but ensure independence of research • BURF should tackle the research – implementation gap by involving and linking with various stakeholders like local and national government, donors and the
private sector (or the communities, editor’s note) • BURF should contribute to improve the quality of research in the urban sector by acquiring funds, creating an enthusiastic and independent environment ??? with realistic time frames for research. • BURF should work for a better integration of research into university education in the urban sector • BURF should define those most important topics and enhance research in these fields.
In brief: BURF activity proposals • • • • • • • • • • •
governments • integrate research into projects and the Networking: Link development/private project design process, e.g. through sector researchers with university technical approval research to support researchers projects Local, national and international • Donors and decision-makers should make networking is needed use of the policy advice sections of PhD Bangladesh Urban Research Forum Theses for project implementation should support the exchange of ideas • “Professional organizations should initiate dialogues contribute to urban research. We should involve as many scholars as possible emphasize this need, form a platform and combine efforts between the Extreme pressure the government.” Poverty Research Group and the • Research should support practitioners like Bangladesh Urban Research Forum real estate managers or developers Information sharing among urban • Integrate research into university professionals, by a database or dialogues education in the urban sector build coordination between researchers • BURF should produce a publication and the users of the research • BURF should deliver trophies to KCC invites universities for cooperation distinguished scientists Research should support the government • BURF could generate funds from donors support for LGED to support local or government
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6. Thematic sessions of BURF With the increasing complexities of a rapidly urbanizing world, it is unreasonable to research on a single topic. Nowadays, the issue of inclusive and sustainable cities has been getting much attention. To get to know the potential ideas of researchers from different fields of interest, the thematic area of BURF was divided into 5 sessions, which are:
Bridging the Urban Divide: Inclusive Cities & Economies
Resilient Cities : Adapting to Climate Change, protecting the environment
The Right to the City: Equal Access to Shelter, Land and Services
Driver City : Urban & Cultural Identities
Towards Good Urban Governance: Citizens’ Participation in transparent and accountable local governments
The five different thematic areas had eight presentations and were distributed in two parallel sessions so that more open discussions after each presentation could take place. Renowned researchers from the field of Urban Planning, Urban Governance, Economics, Geography/Housing, Environmental Science, and Architecture came up with new and challenging issues of utmost importance. The lively and informative presentation followed by vibrant discussions helped - to identify the areas on which research are required, to recognize the gaps and challenges that are faced while doing research, the future focus and measures that has already been taken and needs to be undertaken in future. 24
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Dr. Binayak Sen Research Director, BIDS
Dr. Binayak Sen is currently a Member of the Panel of Economists for the Sixth Five Year Plan of Bangladesh. He has obtained his Ph.D. in Economics from the Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow in 1985. He joined BIDS in 1986, and has been involved in a number of major research projects in the areas of poverty, income inequality and human development. He has extensive international development experience: he was the Senior Economist at the World Bank in Washington D.C. from 2004-2009, working on development problems of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He has been involved in policy-advising in Bangladesh, taking part in a number of national committees, including Public Expenditure Review Commission, Member of the Macroeconomic Consultative Committee to the Ministry of Finance, and Lead Consultant for the preparation of the Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy paper (I-PRSP).
6.1 Bridging the Urban Divide: Inclusive Cities & Economies “Urban Research Forum is a needed new initiative as the urban sector issues clearly fall within the rubric of under-researched area, while the role of urban sector in the development of Bangladesh is growing over the time. Hopefully, the proposed Urban Research Forum can help revitalize the state of urban research in Bangladesh and encourage better formulation of urban policies.” Urban Poverty: Bridging the Divides Revisiting Puzzles and Explanations Puzzles in Poverty Dynamics: Dhaka vs Khulna Dr. Sen has pointed out some issues to explain the poverty dynamics in Dhaka and Khulna regions. In his research, he found out that the two Southern divisions of Khulna and Barisal have made zero contribution to national poverty reduction. Stagnation of divisional poverty in Khulna is due to the marked deceleration in the non-farm enterprise growth. Khulna’s urban growth slow-down has resulted from: (a) shocks arising out of decline in the old industrial Jute Belt in Khalishpur, which have not been compensated by new investments; and (b) lack of infrastructure (gas, electricity, road) and connectivity with main domestic and export markets. Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
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DIVISION-WISE POVERTY RATE 60 52 50
51.2
45.7
40 32 30 30.5
39.4
34
33.8
35.7 28
32.1 26.2
20 10
Y2005
Y2010
0 Dhaka
Khulna
Barisal
Rajshahi
Chittagong
Sylhet
Dr. Sen mentioned that in Bangladesh, poverty dropped from 45.7% in 2005 to 32.1% in 2010 i.e. recording a drop of 13.6 % points as against 8.5 % points observed nationally. The average reduction rate per annum was 4.25% at the national level, whereas it was 8.68 % and 8.47% respectively in Rajshahi and Khulna, but only 0.98% in Dhaka. In terms of annual poverty reduction rate—Khulna division emerges as the second fastest reducer of poverty among all six divisions after Rajshahi. Because of the faster poverty reduction, the level of poverty in Khulna is only slightly lower than that observed in the Dhaka division. Four macro growth drivers - mainly RMG export growth, remittance from abroad, agriculture and microfinance- are the important driving factors for development. He mentioned that lagging regions are seriously deficient in four macro program export. Macro growth drivers, as Dr. Sen stated, could explain regional poverty dynamics. He lso raised the issue of how to vanish the East-West divide? However, Dr. Sen has convergence on 3Ds (density, distance and division) framework to explain the puzzle of poverty dynamics. Higher economic density encourages faster growth and lower incidence of poverty through agglomeration economies and closer proximity to markets which will lead to higher returns to economic (farm and non-farm) activities. He urged the issue of urban inequality and urban chronic poverty in his presentation. The divergent trends in consumption and income inequality indicate huge gaps in savings and asset accumulation, especially for the chronic poor. 26
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During his presentation, the following issues were indentified and discussed: Gaps/ Challenges
Target users and beneficiaries
Impact
Future Focus
• Migration and poverty (Rural-urban and urban-urban) • Urban livelihood (Rickshaw pullers, labours etc...) • Identification of puzzles in urban development
• Local government representatives • National policy makers • DPs • Civil society organizations
• How it contributes as driver for change i.e. issues for raising living stand and of the urban poor.
• How research outcomes will be utilized? • Who uses the research data and who hosts/updates? • How to support urban research institutes in Bangladesh? i.e. UGC has extended research funds to universities • How research works and outcomes can be linked with National policy making?
Special attention: Slum population, garment workers
Agenda for Future Research • Study the transition between “East-West Poverty Divide” to “East-West Poverty Convergence” • Study the chronicity of urban poverty in Dhaka and other large and medium towns • Study the sustainability of urban poor organizations beyond the “life of the project intervention”: What did we learn from Sohor, UPPR and ShireeProjects? • Is raising urban inequality hurting the urban poor? • What is the explanation for better performance of Khulna? What role urbanization played in this?
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Professor Nazrul Islam Founder, CUS Nazrul Islam 70, is a retired Professor of Geography and Environment at the University of Dhaka, and Founder-Chair of the Centre for Urban Studies (CUS), Dhaka. He also taught at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. He served as the Chairman of University Grants Commission of Bangladesh during 2007-2011.
“I wish all the best for the Bangladesh Urban Research Forum, with Bangladesh rapidly transforming itself towards an urban society. There is urgent need for organized efforts at planned urbanization which must be based on scientific research. I am hopeful that BURF will devote itself to Sade research and its dissemination. Congratulations to BURF.”
6.2 Resilient Cities: Adapting to Climate Change, protecting the environment “The Bangladesh Urban Research Forum (BURF) is a timely initiative to avert social, economic and environmental consequences associated with unplanned urbanization and urban development. Hopefully, BURF will succeed to bring together the urban researchers of the country for contributing to formulation and implementation of sound urban policy, a decentralized urban system, and urban planning & environmental management in each and every urban center of our country.” Urban Environmental Management Strategy for Bangladesh: An Agenda towards Resilient Cities Professor Nurul Amin started by observing that “a city without a plan is like a ship without rudder” (Marsh, 1910, p. 73). Why do we then still ignore urban planning? He explained that the classical field of urban planning and professional practice is in jeopardy from a two-prong challenge, i.e., democracy and free market system. Urban planning tasks are further complicated in Bangladesh by: • Demographic factors (huge population size, continued population growth, large flow of rural to urban migration) • Economic and market forces (shrinking of rural-agricultural economy, release of the rural labour force, concentration of wealth, assets, income and investment in large cities). Combined effects of factors as noted above have given rise to the emergence of Dhaka as a mega-city with huge pressure of the informal sector. The location of housing, commercial and industrial projects, based on price signals generated by market forces, have created urban sprawl/suburbanization in Bangladesh, particularly in and around Dhaka city. Huge infrastructure deficit in urban as well as rural areas is adversely affecting Bangladesh’s growth and development potential. 28
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ATM Nurul Amin Professor and Dean Department of Environmental Science & Management School of Engineering & Applied Sciences North South University (NSU) ATM Nurul Amin got his PhD in economics from University of Manitoba. His specializations include urbanization, urban informal sector and urban environmental management. He was a professor in Asian Institute of Technology during 1987-2008 and the founding head of the Urban Environmental Management Program of AIT.
Prof. Amin observed that urban environmental management can be considered as a compromise paradigm to cope with the urban realities. Landscape change of Dhanmodni, Gulshan and Banani in Dhaka city illustrate how planned residential areas can be transformed by the economic and market force/logic and also due to the failure of development control resulting from corruption and political patronization. Since economic and market forces alter all planning stipulations, one way to cope with this reality is to make use of the new paradigm of Urban Environmental Management (UEM), which is defined to include a set of concepts, tools, public policies, and actions that allow urban environmental problems to be addressed (Amin, 2005, p. 514). UEM policies’ multidisciplinary contents are essential for immediate problem-solving tasks. These tasks will be, however, overwhelming in a country like Bangladesh if this is not aided by a national urban development strategy (NUDS) for ensuring a decentralized system. He argues that for cities to function smoothly, Bangladesh needs to pursue a two-prong strategy: 1. Decentralized urban system, and 2. Individual city/urban center-based urban planning, urban management and environmental management (in short, UEM). Decentralized Urban System Sustainability of urbanization in Bangladesh is very much dependent on pursuing the above two strategies and making them effective. Dr. Amin noted that Bangladesh has a built-in advantage in promoting decentralized urban system arising from the existence of several long-prevailing distinct urban tiers. One-to-one correspondence between generic urban tiers (i.e., primate city, regional cities, secondary cities, growth centers and village urban centers) and Bangladesh’s existing urban hierarchy has placed it in an advantageous position to promote a decentralized urban system. One major counteracting force, however, is Bangladesh’s unitary state structure, which pulls everything toward its capital like a strong magnet. It is so powerful that no counter magnet urban strategy would perhaps work here unless Bangladesh will have a federal governance structure. If this will not be politically acceptable, the second best option is to strengthen the three regional metropolises, i.e., Chittagong, Khulna and Rajshahi. Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
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Center-Based UEM Strategies The norms and practice of democracy and free market system also pose problem, as the government agencies encounter difficulties, in implementing planning stipulations and development control measures. It is thus a challenge for urban planners’ intellect and ingenuity to come out with solutions based on sound theoretical considerations and ground realities. With this in view, Prof Amin proposed the following urban agenda: Area of Action
Urban Planning
Transportation Planning Shelter Urban Environmental Infrastructure and Services (solid waste, sanitation/public toilets) Informal Sector
Financing
What Need s to be Done Reducing travel distance from workplace to residence Strengthening development control mechanisms and regulatory authorities Undertaking urban renewal and revitalization project for old parts of cities Increasing green and open space (public goods) Integration and accommodation of the informal sector Stopping suburbanization/urban sprawl Incentive for compact city Reducing car use and increasing public transit Increasing walkways and widening walkways Workers’/employees’ housing close to workplace Slum upgrading Increasing rental accommodations Affordable rental accommodations for informal sector occupations Establishing wastewater treatment facility Expanding water supply, drainage & sewerage networks Establishing ETPs in each effluent generating factories Separation of waste at source Intensifying compost production and its marketing Urban poor’s labour utilization strategy for poverty reduction and provisioning environmental infrastructure (e.g., constructing walkways), services (e.g., cleaning), and for greening (e.g., planting and watering trees) Capturing a portion of incremental value of property by service authorities for financing infrastructure. Pricing of urban services to ensure cost recovery Attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) for provisioning urban environmental infrastructure and services Promoting culture of paying for urban services by citizens Charging for urban services by determining affordability to pay and willingness to pay Protecting poor and low-income groups’ access to service by applying cross-subsidy principle, not by giving free or through generalized subsidy for all
Greening Environment
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Planting trees along the walkways Preserving water bodies Beautifying waterfronts
Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
Behavioural Change for focusing on Quality of Life
Planning Education
Use of regulatory measures (e.g., against littering or dumping waste without separation or throwing into water bodies) Use of economic instruments (e.g., giving incentives to plant trees, promote public transport use or composting organic waste) Use of information instruments for emphasizing quality of life instead of prosperity defined by material goods possession Enriching planning education Enhancing the clout and public policy-influencing role of urban planners through serious academic work and activism
Dr. Amin proposed the following research agenda for implementing UEM strategies appropriately. • Identification of constraints in attracting FDI to the urban environmental infrastructure and service sectors (i.e., for water supply, drainage and sewerage, electricity, gas supply, wastewater treatment facility, road network, public transportation). • Determination of optimal size/scale for service-delivery, i.e., (i) Which service agencies need to be large? How large? Which service provisions can be at a neighborhood scale? (ii) How to overcome the oft-stated problem of coordination among service agencies? • Identification of urban environmental infrastructure and service sectors for which more labor can be utilized; as well as identification of ways and means to finance city-greening programs by utilizing labor. • Exploring ways and means to increase the public policy clout of urban professionals, academics and activists. • Finding ways and means to expand the job market for graduates with degrees in urban and environmental fields. References Amin, ATMN (2005). “The Informal Sector’s Role in Urban Environmental Management”, International Review for Environmental Strategies, Vol. 5, No.2, pp 511-529. Marsh, B. C. (1910). An Introduction to City Planning: Democracy’s Challenge to the American City, Proceedings Municipal Engineer of the City of New York, paper no. 57, pp. 73-87. White R.R. (1994). Urban Environmental Management: Environmental Change and Urban Design, London, John Wily and Sons.
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Resilient Cities: Adapting to Climate Change, Protecting the Environment Ashraful Amin Senior Research Officer Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) (representative of Dr. Atiq Rahman, Executive Director: Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS)) Half of the world’s current population of around 6.4 billion people lives in urban centers, compared to less than 15 % in 1900. Urban and semi‐urban areas consume 75% of commercial energy. Around 60% of greenhouse gas emission emanate from cities (UN‐HABITAT, 2009). In Bangladesh, the Bengal Delta is the product of complex hydrological and sedimentation processes of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) river systems. Nowadays, Bangladesh is considered as highly vulnerable country to climate change risks. The adverse impacts of climate change (CC) on cities have been presented as follows: Sectors
Current Stressors
Land use
No land use plan Agriculture land converted
Urban planning
Increase slum
Housing
Low quality building material, housing in low lying area
Urban Insufficient urban infrastructure infrastrucutre Inadequate numbers of public bus Unable to meet up demand of water Canals have either been filled up or are encroached by human interventions, absent of outlets Health care Inadequate health care services
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Pro jected Climate Change Impacts
Vulnerability of the Sector
Increase coastal flood Water logging Tidal surge Cyclone Land loss Salinity in soil and water Increase CC refugee Increase pressure on urban infrastructure Increased salinity Intense rain fall Water logging Cyclone Increase heavy rainfall and inundate more roads Increase of GHG emission Increased salinity Water logging hamper existing water supply system
Loss of city land Residential Commercial and Industrial process
Increase water – borne & vector-borne diseases
Human health care and related services
Implementation of the City master Loss of houses Water supply and facilities of sanitation Increase Migration City infrastructure Movement of the citizen Increase air pollutio n and Health hazard Decrease fresh water Threat to human health and hygiene
Institutional Arrangement for urban planning issues is very complex in Bangladesh. Involvement of multiple organizations under different Ministries, Divisions and Directorates and lack of coordination and overlapping activities are often seen. Regarding major problems of urban planning practice the following issues were mentioned. • • • • • • • •
Absence of a single apex body Violation of set‐back rules Violation of height zoning Lack of horizontal and vertical coordination among different agencies Juristic problem and lack of strategic policy leadership Functional overlap height, and density zoning regulations Violation of building construction rules Problems for special areas
Therefore, all has resulted in an unplanned, congested and polluted city. Challenges from CC Perspective in Bangladesh Socio-economic Dimension Increase urban poverty Food insecurity Loss of livelihood Loss of employment Decreased social security Increased in-migration due to climate induced extreme events Health stress
Physical Dimension Water stress/logging Increase demand of energy, water Infrastructures (Utilities, communications) Damage due to natural and manmade climatic catastrophes Manage city growth Urban landscape under threat
Way Forward • The need to mainstream CC in everyday planning of all stakeholders including planners in the city. • Need to construct climate proof infrastructure • Exploring livelihood options for the urban poor communities • Need to enforce building standards. • Introduce urban and peri‐urban agriculture to increase food security • A city level climate change-related database including impacts and vulnerability need to be developed • Need to develop individual models and projections for respective cities to foresee climate change situation • Enhance research & knowledge on city and climate change related problems • Building capacity of the city managers to address climate change issue • Building awareness among city dwellers START-BCAS Initiative • START International and BCAS has jointly started a project titled “Urban and Peri Urban Agriculture Knowledge Assessment” in 9 cities around the world. Among those, three are from South Asia, Namely: Dhaka, Kathmandu and Chennai. • This study will explore the current status of agricultural practices, as well as opportunities of food production, in urban and peri‐urban areas.
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Dr. Nurul Islam Nazem Honorary Secretary, CUS
Dr. Nazem is serving as a Professor in the department of Geography and Environment in the Dhaka University. He has many contributions in the research arena and is acting as the secretary for the Centre for Urban Studies.
6.3 The Right to the City: Equal Access to Shelter, Land and Services Right to the City: Access to Shelter, Land and Services Dr. Nazem began his presentation by pointing out that everybody deserves shelter as it is basic human right. The urbanization process shouldn’t be perceived as a burden as it contributes to GDP, especially if compared to the rural areas. The housing facilities, as a result of urbanization, are indeed providing efficiency, zeal and liveliness to people. He underlined the urgency of urban research by showing figures on global urbanization trends and the high position of Dhaka in a megacity ranking (in respect of population). He reminded the audience about the importance of urban poverty by presenting facts and figures on slum population in selected cities (up to 60 % in the city of Dhaka, according to UN-Habitat Global Urban Observatory 2005). Dr Nazem also highlighted the urban shelter conditions in South Asia, which are characterized by inadequacy of livable housing (particularly for middle and lower income people), pointing out facts such as informal sector providing housing facilities, backlog in the housing stock, lack of pro-poor and eco-friendly housing, and rapid increase in the number of slums compared to housing provision. Facts and figures on housing conditions of South Asian countries such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan were presented too. Looking into statistics of our neighboring country India, the housing stock rate (32%) exceeds the rate of household growth (31.8%) slightly and almost three fourths of the urban houses are pucca(brick building houses)(2001). The ratio of occupied and rented house is almost like 2:1 and almost 74% people have access to sanitary toilets and 88% have the electricity facility. But, most of these conditions vary from one city to another. Urbanization and Urban Housing in Bangladesh: Pattern and Growth • 27% of the total population are urban – growing at 3.5% annually • Urban population concentrates largely in four cities • Dhaka City alone has over 13 million people – growing faster – and it is expected that by 2020 it will rank the 3rd largest city in the world
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• Dhaka alone has: 2 million garment workers, 1 million construction workers, half a million rickshaw pullers, huge undocumented number of house maid, hawkers/vendors
Discussing about urban poverty and the poor, he classified low(less than Tk.5000), middle (5000-50,000) and high income (Tk >50,000) and which constitutes about 43%, 50% and 7% of Dhaka’s population respectively. Shelter Conditions in Bangladesh • Total Dwelling Unit 19 million: Rural 15.45 m - Urban 3.5 m • Per capita floor space: Sq. Feet 53.5 (Rural) - 62.3(Urban) – 55% (nationwide) • Occupancy Level: 6 persons/ Dwelling Unit • Permanent Structure: Rural 21%, Urban 46% • Tenure Condition: (Rental) Rural 5%, Urban 40%, Dhaka 70% In Dhaka the urban poor areas consist of 77% of slums and 23% of squatter areas. Whereas 51 % of the urban poor people are slum dwellers and 49% are squatters, thus indicating that the squatted areas are even denser than the slums. Among the six largest cities of Bangladesh (Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Barisal), Dhaka and Chittagong are at the top-end in terms of slum population with 37.2% and 35.4% respectively . The total slum population in the six cities is 5,438,000 out of 15,447,000. Even though the slum population constitutes one third of the total population yet they populate the city land on an average of 4 % only. This indicates the high densely population of slums. a) Slums are very densely populated b) the access to land is not equally granted In order to assess the housing condition, the structures in slums and squatted areas of these six selected cities have been categorized by CUS in shacks/ kutcha/ semi pucca/ old buildings and “better”. Usually, the major parts of houses are kutcha or semi pucca. Outstanding is Rajshahi with 31% of households in shacks. Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
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Professor Golam Rahman Advisor United International University Professor Golam Rahman is a highly experienced resource person in the field of Urban Planning and Architecture. He is the founder Vice Chancellor of Khulna University and UIU, Ex-dean of the faculty or Architecture and Planning in BUET and Ex-head, Department of Urban and Regional Planning (BUET). It is worth mentioning that he is the founder president of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP). He was the session moderator for ‘The Right to the City: Equal Access to Shelter, Land and Services’.
Major constraints to the solution of urban Shelter Problem • • • • • • •
Lack of political commitment and policy support Elite’s Apathy towards the poor Lack of appropriate institutional support Legal constraints Weak planning and non-recognition of the poor Poor governance Resource constraints
The way forward Political commitment and policy framework is vital for solving the problems associated with housing. Moreover, city level commitment, institutional arrangements for housing the poor, role of private sectors, civil society, donors, slum community organizers, and professionals can change the existing scenario. The presenter also emphasized on global cooperation, institutional capacity building and environment friendly housing for urban areas. Rural-urban continuum of livelihood vulnerabilities Does it affect migrants’ access to land and shelter? Studies on rural-urban links remained plenty irrespective of disciplinary boundaries; as the notion of “urban” became important, a general tendency to establish “urban”, either as a counterpart or as an evolved form of “rural”, dominated scholarly literatures. Recent views, however, instead of placing them against each other or looking at them as two binary existences, are more interested in finding ways to linking them as synergistic categories – constantly in relationship to each other. Particularly in the context of developing nations, terms such as “linkage”, “interaction”, “continuum”, “interdependence”, 36
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or “interlink” dominate contemporary literature, which aims to explain the numerous ways in which urban and rural might be correlated materially (e.g. built environment) and immaterially (e.g. socio-economic-political). Yet, what most of these literatures fail to identify is the continuum of a set of detrimental forces that affect(ed) poor migrants’ livelihoods in both rural and urban areas. When investigated, many forms of analogous vulnerability contexts, which used to be integral to rural livelihoods in the past, can now be re-identified in relation with the livelihoods of city-living migrants. Considering these migrants as an essential vehicle between rural and urban, this paper argues that similar to the manifold “man-made” and “nature-induced” livelihood-vulnerabilities during rural times still continue to affect the livelihoods of these ex-peasants even being in the cities. This article, depending on empirical research conducted in selected rural-coastal and urban locations in Bangladesh, attempts to highlight both the common and the unique elements of vulnerability in ordinary migrants’ livelihoods. Hakim’s research aims to investigate into the extent of change in permanent migrants’ urban livelihood strategy in comparison with the rural induced by overall urban situations in Khulna and to find out the nature of rural-urban continuum that influence migrants’ livelihoods in Khulna. The study was mainly conducted during 2007-2008 only a few changes were added later on in 2009. He selected the migrants from coastal villages living in Khulna permanently as the sample population of this in-depth, qualitative research. The phases investigated in this study are the rural life, decision to migrate and city situation analyzed under the criterions like livelihood strategies of the rural population, natural and man-made factors that influence the decision and livelihood strategies of migrants respectively. To analyze these phases, Sheikh Serajul Hakim applies the livelihood approach of DFID/SLF, which is based on three factors, 1. vulnerability (shocks, trends, seasonality), where he analyses both the rural (before migration) and the urban context (after migration) 2. livelihood assets (political, mental, information), where he monitors the implementation of assets before and after migration 3. transforming structures (governments & private sector) & transforming processes (laws, policies, culture), where he has a look into the influence on and the access of migrants to local governance Research questions • Phase 1: In what ways coastal dweller’s livelihoods were challenged by natural and man-made factors before migrating to Khulna? • Phase 3: Compared to rural times, what are the assumed differences (and similarities) in migrants’ livelihood strategies (hence vulnerabilities) now in Khulna? As study locations, he chose Khulna City as urban area and there three particular areas characterized by migrants. As rural area, he chose two coastal areas at the Bay of Bengal, outside the borders of Sundarbans. Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
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Sheikh Serajul Hakim Assistant Professor, Architecture Discipline Khulna University Sheikh Serajul Hakim obtained his bachelor in architecture from BUET, and MSc from IHS, Rotterdam. Presently he is pursuing a PhD in the National University of Singapore. His research interests include the production of urban form under the conditions of situated social processes, rural-urban continuum and climate change with a particular focus on mid-sized coastal cities from the global South.
Over-reliance on human capital (labor), quality education and health services becoming hard to afford, chronic illness and medication expenditure, having biased local government representative, no loan/initiative available from either public bodies or NGOs for availing house and/or land, bureaucratic urban public bodies, exclusion from decision making process etc. are making people much more vulnerable than they are. Conclusion “…nothing has really changed in our lives as we look back to our rural times and compare...” (Anonymous migrant subject during 2008 field visit) • Similar non-natural vulnerability elements in the city–forces similar strategies or vice versa • Migrants demonstrate the sturdiness and enthusiasm of an entrepreneur–owes perhaps to rural origin where they were brought up, and had to fight constantly against natural and man-made odds to make a living • Yet, migrants’ livelihoods outlines a model for survival economy–characterized by immediate, short-term and makeshift solutions • These owes a large extent to a very difficult access to reasonable credit and having no savings • Once landless peasant from the rural coast, hence still remains a land-/shelter-less migrant in Khulna • Poor migrants’ asset portfolio largely remained the same over the years; there were no real accumulation of financial and physical assets whatsoever with similar “rural-like” livelihood strategies still being pursued • Although the city situation offers better facilities and amenities, and also better job market and employment opportunities, most migrants could (and still cannot) really take advantage from those • In fact, for some, the situation even aggravated during the last decade or so, as they lost the last of their “material” savings to cope with various incidents 38
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Issues to be raised... • Equal access to land, shelter and services are affected by the vulnerable context in the city; characterized by shocks, seasonal periods and long-term trends similar to rural times • If livelihood vulnerabilities during rural times led to the loss of land and shelter for the then peasant, can it be the case that similar shocks, seasonal periods and trends are lading the present city living migrant to such a situation that still impedes their access to basic shelter/land, let alone “equal access”? • (Ownership of) land is a cultural requirement in a Bangladeshi society, which people would die for; so could we really understand the need for land and shelter in the lives of these rural-turned urban peasants? –in rural terms, land meant a place to live, partial/full food security, and an “asset-base” Proposition • Our development work needs to focus and intervene more into and during particular situations of shocks, seasonalities or trends concerning poor migrants’ lives and thus empower them both materially and metaphysically; identification of migrants’ “rural-like” livelihood strategies and the city’s vulnerability context should help devise a mechanism that enables the poor migrant accumulate enough social and material wealth to access land and shelter in the city Limitations to his research • In-depth, limited sampled, qualitative investigation–difficult to generalize findings • Generation of a working hypothesis which needs further testing
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Taimur Islam Team Leader Urban Study Group Dhaka, BANGLADESH
Taimur Islam, a practicing architect-turned-heritage activist, leads an intense campaign based on community participation and networking with NGOs for the protection of Dhaka city’s historic communities and neighbourhoods. While looking at the role of cultural identity in the overall urban development process and in heritage management, his focus was on experience and best practices in legislation, community participation, financing conservation, and developments in technology.
6.4 DiverCity: Urban & Cultural Identities
Roxana Hafiz Professor Department of Urban & Regional Planning, BUET Roxana Hafiz is serving as a Professor at the department of Urban and Regional Planning in Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). She did her B.Arch., MURP from BUET and Ph.D. from the University of New South Wales, Australia. She specializes in urban poverty and low-income housing, housing finance, landscape architecture and planning, urban design, conservation and disaster management.
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Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman Executive Chairman, PPRC
Hossain Zillur Rahman is renowned as a poverty and governance specialist of the country. He founded the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) in 1996 and prior to that was for over twenty years a leading researcher at the Bangladesh Institute of development Studies. He initiated and led the internationally renowned Analysis of Poverty Trends Project and is the author of 'Rethinking Rural Poverty’. He was appointed as an adviser to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh and was entrusted with the ministries of commerce and education. 6.5 Towards Good Urban Governance: Citizens’ Participation in transparent and accountable local governments Emerging Urban Future Issues and Challenges “Urbanization is the most important of emerging challenges for Bangladesh. I wish BURF continued success in projecting this emerging challenge.” Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman couldn’t attend the forum due to unavoidable circumstances, but his study was presented by Professor Md. Ghulam Murtaza, URP Discipline, Khulna University. Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman’s presentation consisted of the issues and challenges in the emerging urban future. He mentioned that there are 3 reasons for urban transition, which are: - Mega city and growth poles - Consumption driven expansion of pourashavas - Expansion of Rural Nonfarm activities Almost 12.8% of the total population is slum inhabitants according to data of 2007.Moreover, slums are being increasingly shifted to private lands. Almost 50% of the population increase in the large and small towns is because of the migration from rural to urban areas. The push factors for migration are employment, business, education, city amenities, disasters, security etc. Among these, employment is the dominating factor for which more than 70% of the migration to metropolitan areas occurs. In case of large and small towns, the percentage is about 65% which is leading too. He also discussed the livelihood costs in urban areas in a comparison table. It was found that the living cost in respect of housing, education, transport, food etc. in metro areas is double or more than that in respect to other towns. From the “demand” perspective of urban governance, the Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
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Mahbub Ullah Professor & Chairman Department of Development Studies, Dhaka University major points discussed are congestion pricing, shortage of infrastructure, urban poverty, environmental degradation, participatory governance etc. On the other hand, from the “supply” point of view, the highlighted topics are resource gap, lack of capacity, innovations etc. He raised multiple solution paths from the examples of Chile, Phillipines, Srilanka and Orange. He also discussed about six challenges of sustainable policy engagement, a holistic urban renewal agenda for big cities, secondary towns and growth centers, increasing investment in the urban sector, addressing the deficiency of urban management, strategy for addressing urban poverty, environment friendly land use. Urban Costs Category Housing Education Transport Energy Telecommunication/ post Water Outside eating
Metro Larger Towns Smaller towns Average Mont hly Costs (Taka/$) 5559 ($79) 2865 ($41) 1949 ($28) 3534 ($50) 2409 ($34) 1966 ($28) 1736 ($25) 1010 ($14) 826 ($12) 1015 ($15) 632 ($9) 446 ($6) 1005 ($15) 1041 ($15) 529 ($7) 183 ($3) 71 ($1) 73 (§1) 1312 ($19) 897 (§13) 737 ($10) PPRC Survey 2010
He emphasized on building consensus, addressing capacity deficits, investment plan, and focused advocacy for policy decision and suggested small solutions window as the initial approach. The Context of Urban Governance in Bangladesh "The initiatives taken to establish BURF are really a need of the hour so as to address the issues and problems concerning the urbanization trend of Bangladesh. The operational process of such forum is a matter of complex phenomenon in view of its institutional, administrative and financial commitment and ownership of the stakeholders. Nevertheless, let us work all together with a positive zeal and objectivity so that we can see there are some outcomes in this direction rather than leaving the issues unaddressed." Professor Dr. Md. Ghulam Murtaza started his presentation with urbanization in Bangladesh, its positive and negative impacts and the hierarchy of regions (City, Pourashavas). He identified that the nature of urban problems vary in different urban settlements. His main aim of presenting such ideas and thoughts is to do research on urban governance in Bangladesh. He talked about the theoretical aspects of urban governance and good governance, and from his talk, it was found that the beneficiaries and target users of this sort of research could be the urban actors and actors of governance. 42
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Prof. Dr. Md. Ghulam Murtaza Urban and Rural Planning Discipline Khulna University Md. Ghulam Murtaza is a Professor of Urban & Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh. He has overseas experiences of working with the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements and UNDP. He has more than forty research and fifty consultancy reports publications to his credit. He contributed in a number of donor agencies in the field of planning and development. He also discussed about some legal provisions mentioned in the Urban Local Government Acts like presence of citizens in standing committee meetings, citizens’ charter, receiving information etc. He also emphasized on the necessity of ensuring urban governance in Bangladesh and highlighted the measures already taken such as UGIIP I and UGIIP II. He also marked out the need for research on urban governance which will be to identify problems; identifying nature, extent of problems, addressing those issues, expanding the knowledge base and so on. Research conducted by students of urban planning and publications of various organizations work can be used as a potential source of information. According to him, the main obstacles in the field of research on urban governance are lack of dissemination, financial constraints, administrative approval, lack of initiatives, no networking, no common platform, irregular contribution from donors, and lack of follow ups, among others. Finally, the key message extracted from his presentation refers to the immense necessity of setting up a research network to promote the scope of researchers and academia and to benefit as much as possible from the research outcomes. From this thematic session, concepts like “RURBAN”, optimal organization of services, “Bangladeshi approach of Good Urban Governance” and “Good enough governance”came up.
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7. Urban Research Networks and Fora Worldwide The need for research to predict urban development in this rapidly urbanized world is significantly rising. Either, many of our researches remain unimplemented or the information of those that are conducted is not disseminated properly contributing to almost no change to the existing situation. There are various constraints while doing research as such: data availability, lack of funding, scarcity of resources, social behavior, corruption, and many other issues which limit the latent researches to flourish. Thus, to overcome these obstacles, research networks and fora are formed in different places of the world. Other existing urban research networks around the world can serve us a model, thus it is needed to identify those that are working best so that their practices can be adapted to our network here. Usually, these networks are established to promote urban research, policies and development acting as the common platform for its members to tackle the ever-increasing challenges of an urban world. Several institutions or individuals involved in the urban sector form a body and this becomes a place for them to meet virtually or being present in reality, and a platform to discuss, share ideas, raise difficult issues, derive solutions, conduct publications, media campaigns, and contribute in policy advice and decision making process of the government. Our GIZ colleague, Nadia Tavares Goodman as an urban researcher came up with several examples of an urban research network to facilitate the concept of research fora throughout the globe on the occasion of the BURF 2011. An Urban Research Network around the world aims at …. • • • • • • • • •
Cooperation with different urban stakeholders Dynamic urban research Innovative agenda-setting The creation of a multi disciplinary network Establish cooperations in the region and worldwide for mutual learning Accompany and support the development of national urban policies Adapt the education of future urban practitioners to today’s challenges Financial sustainability Provision and aquisition of resources, dissemination of information, training
Urban Research Networks – Synopsis Ms. Nadia Goodman extracted the urban research fora/networks that best fit with the concept of BURF and presented them to the audience. This presentation was aimed to give the participants punctual examples on how other networks work around the world and to help them to develop, adapt or merge their own ideas for the BURF. She highlighted networks like the Urban and Regional Development Institute (URDI) Indonesia, N-AERUS Europe, and Observatorio das Metropoles (Observatory of Metropolis) Brazil, which represented the nature of fora in three different continents. 44
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URDI The Urban and Regional Development Institute (URDI) aims at promoting sustainable urban and regional development in Indonesia by providing publications and other means for exchange of knowledge to enhance communication and cooperation among different stakeholders in the field of urban and regional development. They do so by developing research and policy analysis that provide alternative solutions to current issues, as well as by organizing training and other local capacity building exercises to support local governments in dealing with the current and future challenges and experience. Urban and regional development in Indonesia has been known by widening gaps between well-intentioned policies and poorly implemented actions, between widespread research and uninterrupted practice, between what is in fact needed and what is provided in reality. The substantial divergence of interests among the stakeholders in local development that constantly threatens to put the development on the brakes has been observed. The recent trends of rapidly increasing urbanization, economic as well as socio-cultural globalization, decentralization of authorities, democratization of governance, widespread privatization has been catalyzing this situation. The limited and randomly distributed natural, social, financial, physical, and human resources among localities in Indonesia made the task of improving the people’s welfare through urban and regional development even more challenging.
Forum
Training
URDI U DIPublication Research
URDI Foundation or Yayasan Pengembangan Perkotaan dan Daerah formed this autonomous institution in November 1995. It is continuously supported by people from various segments of the urban and regional development community representing the government, private, and community sectors. Since its establishment, the institute continuously works on various urban and regional development issues both at policy level and capacity building programs. Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
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The organization was maintained as a quality research and training institute, by continuously improving its own staff of researchers, scholars, and trainers while bringing also together all available external resources including highly-experienced or influential individuals. Besides, URDI makes every effort to provide quality services that fit the needs of the stakeholders in urban and regional development or that best serve the wider public interest. A unique center of excellence that has positioned itself as a broad forum that facilitates exchange of knowledge and experience-based information; an independent advocate as well as a quality research and training institute that is expected to have impacts on both policy and implementation levels. As such, URDI plays a complementary role to the already established institutions concerning urban and regional development in the government, community and private sectors. URDI having such features, therefore performs as facilitator (in promoting communication, interaction and cooperation among the stakeholders), moderator (in finding solutions between conflicting interests), catalyst (in stimulating innovative development ideas or concepts), monitor (of the theoretical, policy as well as practical development), advocate (in promoting sustainable urban and regional development), advisor (in providing particular advice, recommendation or consulting services), and assistant (in local capacity building). For further information: http://www.urdi.org OBSERVATORY OF METROPOLIS OBSERVATORY OF METROPOLIS has been working in identifying the most recent socio-economic, institutional and technological trends relevant to the urban environment in Brazil in the last twenty years. This network is formed by research institutions, universities, NGOs from different regions of Brazil. In addition to the academic objectives, the Observatory of Metropolis with its teaching and researching resourcesaims at supporting the design and implementation of activities developed by government and civil society.
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Abir Ul Jabbar Chief Planning Officer (in charge) Khulna City Corporation, Khulna, Bangladesh “Bangladesh Urban Research Forum can initiate to solve the urban problems like traffic congestion, parking, drainage system, waste management & recycle system, vegetation & parks, food security for poor people etc. through its research activities and initiate to linkage among the city to city cooperation, Government to NGO, Government to Donor agencies. I appreciate this kind of activities and all kinds of cooperation from professional fields to build Bangladesh Urban Research Forum for identify basic problems which could be solved and initiate development of urban areas for future generation.”
It was a project of Evaluation of the Social Conjuncture and Performance of Public Policies in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region. It was initiated in 1980’s and financed by the World Bank and the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro. The project enabled a partnership among the Urban Planning Department of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the NGO – Social Development and Education Federation. Today, it is a multi- disciplinary virtual institute, aggregating 159 researchers and 59 university institutions (post-graduation programs), both governmental (state and city hall foundations) and non-governmental. For further information: http://web.observatoriodasmetropoles.net N-AERUS- Network- Association of Europeans research on Urbanization in the South –Europe N-AERUS is a network of researchers and experts working on urban issues in developing countries created in March 1996 by a group of European researchers. Its objective is to mobilize and develop the European institutional and individual research and training capacities on urban issues in the South with the support of institutions and individual researchers with relevant experience in this field. N-AERUS works in association with researchers and institutions in developing countries. Creation of N-AERUS is based on three statements: • Cities are increasingly contributing to the general development process; • Any intervention has to take into account the social dimension of urban development, the cultural diversity of the cities and the complexity of urban areas; • European research capacities and experiences in the urban sector are presently under-utilized.
For further information: http://www.n-aerus.net Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
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Training Capacities mobilizing and consolidating institutional capacity
NAERUS
NETWORK Dissemination of Information
Research
Supporting Urban Development Projects
Brief description of some other similar networks ForUm ForUm is a Network for Urban Future in Southeast Asia which is linking Southeast Asian and German experts. The network is sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The objective of such a network is to develop a platform for a North-South-South Dialogue, Capacity Building by Knowledge and Expertise and Sustainable Research and Development Cooperation. For further information: http://www.forum-urban-futures.net/ Forum da Reforma Urbana (The National Urban Reform Forum) The National Urban Reform Forum is a group of Brazilian organizations that advocate for better cities. The group is formed by popular movements, associations, NGOs and research institutions who want to promote the Urban Reform. Their aim is to advocate for policies which ensure the basic rights to everyone, such as quality of housing, water and sanitation, affordable and efficient transportation. For further information: http://forumreformaurbana.org.br/ index.php/quem-somos/ historico.html Global Land Tool Network The Global Land Tool Network (GLTN)’s main objective is to contribute to poverty alleviation and the Millennium Development Goals through land reform, improved land management and security of tenure. The GLTN was initiated by the UN-HABITAT, who formed the network in cooperation with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the World Bank. For further information: http://www.gltn.net/ 48
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Fawzia Farzana Associate Professor Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University After completing the bachelor degree from Urban and Rural Planning Discipline of Khulna University, Fawzia Farzana joined as a lecturer in the same department where she is currently working as an Associate Professor. She did her MSc in the Department of Real Estate of National University of Singapore. Her research interests include Urban Housing, Residential Real Estate and Pro-Poor Tourism. “The countries with higher level of urbanization signify a positive relationship between urbanization and development. To optimize this positive impact of urbanization, the challenges of urban areas of Bangladesh should be tackled efficiently. We desperately need a sustained research environment where experts from different fields can contribute to solve multi-dimensional urban problems. Bangladesh Urban Research Forum could be such a platform where urban researchers will share knowledge and influence the direction of urban development.”
The Global Research Network on Human Settlements (HS-NET) The Global Research Network on Human Settlements (HS-Net) is a network of individuals engaged in human settlements research. The objective of HS-Net is to promote global sharing of information on urban conditions and trends, principally through the Global Report on Human Settlements. For further information: http://www.unhabitat.org/categories.asp?catid=496
URBANET URBANET is the network for the GIZ staff, associated professionals and researchers working in the fields of municipal and urban development, decentralization and regionalization. It promotes exchange of knowledge and information, interdisciplinary cooperation among actors in municipal and urban development, the debate on and conceptual refinement of key issues and technical and advisory support for its members. For further information: http://www.gtz.de/en/themen/politische-reformen/stadtentwicklung/6601.htm
Urban Research Network – A Network for Urban Research in Developing Countries The Urban Research Network is intended to be a place where researchers and practitioners from all over the world can meet “virtually”, discuss, share ideas and documents, and create networks that will address urban issues in developing countries. This network started on the World Bank’s 4th Urban Research Symposium on urban land use and land markets in 2007. For further information: http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTURBANDEVELOPMENT/0,, contentMDK:22521769~menuPK:6917203~pagePK:210058~piPK:210062~theSitePK:337178,00.html
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8. Summary of 2nd Day activities The second day of the event mainly dealt with objectives and activities of BURF. The aim of the Bangladesh Research Forum is to create a group/platform that operates as a network, gathering together individual and institutional researchers from both public and private universities, researcher’s centers among other stakeholders engaged in research in the urban development sector to support to set the agenda for urban policies in Bangladesh. The day-long group exercises resulted in the setting up of goals and activities of the research forum.
Objectives • Promote and facilitate research and education networking among Departments/ Disciplines of Bangladeshi Universities and Research Institutes/Organizations involved in education and research related to urban issues; • Creation and dissemination of knowledge on the situation and the future of urban areas; • Organize exchange of knowledge through e.g. annual conferences, publications and get better terms for participating organizations in dealing with: - Government and Regulators on issues related to urban policy and regulation vis-a-vis research and educational organizations; - Development partners on issues of common benefit; - Inter-connecting with other urban research and education networks dealing urban issues and research organizations worldwide. • Explore ways of information sharing through pooling resources and sharing, where feasible, costs for common software, and promoting collaboration in areas that may include but are not limited to: - E-learning systems to help deliver common online courses; - Library information systems that allow us to easily digitize and share our collections. - Maintain a digital library - Subscribe and distribute e-journals • Create online platforms for all urban researchers, maintain database for researchers and researches.
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Talukder Abdul Khaleque Mayor Khulna City Corporation, Khulna, Bangladesh I am highly glad to know that the inauguration of Bangladesh Urban Research Forum which is a mile stone of urban centers where researchers, academicians, professionals can perform their activities in a organized platform. Lots of urban related problems like communication, water logging, recreation, solid waste management etc. can be solved through research activities for the inhabitants of the city. I heartily appreciate the endeavor made by the organizers and participants of this session for exploring new thoughts and ideas concerning urban problem which will surely contribute to enhance our dream for City development.
Planned Activities 1. Maintain database of researches conducted by different researches and universities 2. Maintain an online forum to bring together all the researchers, donors and practitioners 3. Maintain a database of expert researchers 4. Update syllabus of different urban related curriculum 5. Coordinate exchange programs 6. Act as a depository of the spatial and attribute dataset (may be a long term activity) 7. Organize a yearly conference on thematic (or generic) urban research 8. Publish journal (possibly twice a year), working papers, research monographs etc. 9. Act as a coordinator of regional researches required by different donor organizations. This forum can become a research hub to satisfy the research need of all kinds of stakeholders This forum can act as a depository related to urban issues.
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9. Khulna Declaration We, the urban researchers, assembled on 26-27 May 2011 at Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh, recognize our critical role in providing solutions to urban complexities that would ensure sustainable urban development of Bangladesh. We accept our responsibility for conducting research and outreach activities that support national urban development initiatives. We realize the benefits and synergy that will be created when universities, research organizations and individual researchers work together through a formal research and education network. We have thus agreed to establish a non-political and non-profitable urban research platform, called the Bangladesh Urban Research Forum (BURF). We pledge to (a) create and disseminate knowledge on urban management and the future of urban areas and (b) contribute in urban policy formulation and implementation for sustainable urbanization and urban development in Bangladesh. We are also consenting to keep BURF open where membership is subject only to objective qualification as an urban researcher and practitioner.
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10. Ad-hoc Committee of BURF
Dr. Ing Alexander Jachnow - Architect/ Urban Planner Coordinator of the Priority Area “Governance� Responsible for the German Technical Support for Good Urban Governance in the Second Urban Governance and Infrastructure Improvement Project, UGIIP2 Dr. Jachnow is an urban development and planning expert who has been working for academic institutions and international development organizations the last 13 years. His experience includes working in the Secretary for Urban Development and Housing of Mexico City and leading a Slum Upgrading project in Brazil. He did research on urbanization worldwide, including China, South Africa and India. He was teaching at the habitat unit, University of Technology, Berlin from 2000 until 2007. His work focuses on governance and urban management in developing countries, linking governmental institutions and urban communities. He works in Bangladesh since 3.5 years.
Convener Kazi Saiful Islam, Dr. Eng., Assistant Professor, Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University Members 1. S.M. Humayun Kabir, Assistant Professor of the Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka 2. ATM Nurul Amin, PhD, Professor & Dean, Department of Environmental Science & Management, School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, North South University 3. A K M Abul Kalam, PhD, Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Jahangirnagar University 4. Mohammad Nurul Islam Nazem, PhD, Professor, Department of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka 5. Roxana Hafiz, PhD, Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology 6. Tusar Kanti Roy, Assistant Professor, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology 7. Md. Rashidul Hasan, Lecturer Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology Invited member Dr. Alexander Jachnow, Good Urban Governance, Principal Adviser, GIZ- Bangladesh Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
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11. Participants and Organizers of the event Urban and Rural Planning Discipline of Khulna University hosted the first Bangladesh Urban Research Forum in Khulna, Bangladesh with the support of Good Urban Governance, GIZ Bangladesh. The session speakers in the event were Dr. Binayak Sen, Dr. ATM Nurul Amin, Dr. Md. Ghulam Murtaza, Dr. Nurul Islam Nazem, Taimur Islam, Sheikh Serajul Hakim, and Ashraful Amin. The special guests who moderated the thematic sessions were Professor Golam Rahman, Professor Nazrul Islam, Professor Roxana Hafiz, Professor A.K.M Abul Kalam, and Professor Mahbub Ullah. The participants from Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University were Dr. Mohsin Uddin Ahmed, Professor Dr. Md. Ghulam Murtaza, Dr. Ashraful Alam, Dr. Shamim Mahabubul Haque, Associate Professor Sheikh Md. Mursalin Mamun, Associate Professor Fawzia Farzana, Associate Professor Kazi Saiful Islam, Lecturer Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Lecturer Mahmuduzzaman, Lecturer Maitry Biswas and 100 students from the discipline. From other departments of Khulna University, the Vice Chancellor along with the departmental heads and deans of several schools graced the occasion. UPF Al-Amin-Noor, Consultants Md. Ishtiuq Hossain, Ananya Senjuti and Nadia Tavares Goodman. Besides, international staff of GIZ who attended the working group meeting two days prior to the event also joined the research forum. They are Horst Matthaeus from GIZ Nepal, Hajo Junge from CDIA/GIZ Philippines, Mats Jarnhammar from CDIA Philippines, Christina Leisegang from GIZ/BMZ, and Alexander Proehl from GIZ Afghanistan. From the development partners, renowned personalities from WFP, UPPR (UNDP), WSP, and Save the Children, UK (Extreme Poverty Research Group) were present.
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Dr. Mohsin Uddin Ahmed Professor Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna Dr. Mohsin Uddin Ahmed is a Professor and Head of the Urban and Rural Planning Discipline in Khulna University. He is a specialist on the legal aspects related to the planning and development activities. In his long career, he published a large number of articles and books.
“Bangladesh Urban Research Forum (BURF) is an inclusive platform for all researchers and practitioners involved in urban sector. It is expected that BURF will play a significant role in improving the quality of research thus contribute in the human development process resulting in the form of sustained urban development. BURF is being incepted by the Urban and Rural Planning Discipline (URPD) of Khulna University with generous support from the German Development partner, GIZ and it is very much committed and capable to act as the Secretariat of the BURF. “ From other academia, several representatives and students from CUET, KUET, JU, BUET, BRAC University (IGS) were present. Besides, from several local journalists of print and electronic media attended the occasion. The representatives from local NGOs also took part in the event. A side event mid-term meeting of the Urban Challenges working group of Sector Network Governance Asia was organized by Good Urban Governance, GIZ Bangladesh on 24th and 25th May, 2011. Focusing on the topic of “Urban Environment and the Poor”, current climate change and poverty reduction policies were discussed. The group underlined the necessity of harmonizing climate adaptation measures and pro-poor approaches in (urban) infrastructure projects that GIZ in several cases supports in the governance sector in the region. The meeting was framed by guided visits to sites & projects, e.g. to the Dhaka Slum Korail or to a Solar energy production & training site or planned road projects in Khulna (accompanied by the Chief Town Planner of Khulna City Corporation). The meeting was held with members from Germany, Nepal, the Philippines, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, working in projects and programmes, the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) or City Development Initiative Asia (CDIA). Another side event that took place was the cultural program organized by Rupantar, a local NGO. They performed two POT songs on Climate change and Urban Governance. Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
55
56
Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
IMPRESSIONS
Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
57
58
Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
Bangladesh Urban Research Forum
89
60
Bangladesh Urban Research Forum