Vice-chancellor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology Professor Mahmud Abdul Matin Bhuiyan at an event in Chattogram on Thursday said that with proper planning, challenges could be transformed into opportunities.
‘Cities around the world are growing rapidly. Along with this, various challenges are also emerging. But we must remember that with proper planning, challenges can also be transformed into opportunities,’ he said while speaking as chief guest at the World Town Planning Day 2025 event.
The department of urban and regional planning organised the event at the Central Auditorium of CUET, said a press release.
‘Even densely populated cities can be made beautiful and liveable if there is proper planning,’ he said, adding that that priority should be given to environment-friendly urban development, disaster risk reduction, formulation of safe and planned urban plans, ensuring affordable housing and green management.
‘Only then will we be able to build green, beautiful and sustainable cities,’ he mentioned.
Professor Muhammad Rashidul Hasan, dean of the faculty of architecture and planning; Professor Akhtar Mahmud, president of the advisory committee of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners; Anika Lauf, portfolio manager of Save the Children International; Mushtaq Hossain, director, humanitarian, of Save the Children Bangladesh; Mushtaq Hossain, project director of the Chattogram Master Plan Project; urban planner Mohammad Abu Isa Ansari; and Young Power in Social Action’s social development director Nasim Banu Shyamoli attended the event as special guests.
Presided over by head of the department of urban and regional planning Fauzia Gulshana Rashid Lopa, the event was jointly moderated by Muhtasim Bin Ayub and Musarrat Tabassum Hridi.
The programme began with a rally attended by teachers, planners and students of the URP department. Later, the programme was inaugurated by the CUET VC Professor Mahmud Abdul Matin Bhuiyan.
Sajeeb Sarkar, assistant professor of CUET’s URP department; Javed Miandad from Save the Children; and Sanjida Akhtar, project manager from IPSA; presented papers at a technical session at the programme.
The overall support for this event was provided by Bangladesh Institute of Planners, Young Power in Social Action, Royal Cement and German Federal Foreign Office.