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Detailed Area Plan (DAP) of Dhaka: How DAP is Shaping the Future of Urban Living?
People who reside in Dhaka City are all aware that it is one of the most beautiful cities to live in when you know your way through the hustle and bustle. However, from a more realistic perspective, Dhaka is also known for being an unhygienic and polluted city, with its central role as the capital exacerbating environmental conditions.
This is why RAJUK has introduced the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) Map of Dhaka, to better ensure these issues are mitigated in the coming years.
Source: Rajuk[/caption]
The majority of Dhaka's industrial zones are situated nearby, and the city is quickly losing its liveability. Decentralization is crucial for our capital because of this. Reducing the economic reliance focused on downtown Dhaka requires a thorough area strategy.
To ensure sustainable and pleasant living, the plan's ultimate goal is to increase urbanization while taking into account basic rights, civic facilities, and other support systems.
What is a Detailed Area Plan (DAP) Map?
The DAP Map is a comprehensive map that shows every location inside the city limits of Dhaka. It has an area of around 1,528 square kilometers and extends from the woods of Gazipur to the commercial district of Narayanganj, including Savar, Old Dhaka, and Keraniganj. [caption id="attachment_10857" align="aligncenter" width="1500"] Source: Rajuk[/caption]
The majority of Dhaka's industrial zones are situated nearby, and the city is quickly losing its liveability. Decentralization is crucial for our capital because of this. Reducing the economic reliance focused on downtown Dhaka requires a thorough area strategy.
To ensure sustainable and pleasant living, the plan's ultimate goal is to increase urbanization while taking into account basic rights, civic facilities, and other support systems.
What will the DAP achieve?
The DAP Map is built on three core pillars – livability, functionality, and resilience. These pillars serve as the driving forces behind the plan. Two key conditions must be met, respect for the local socio-cultural fabric and commitment to environmental sustainability. While the pillars propel the plan forward, the conditions act as guiding principles, ensuring progress remains on the right path. To put it simply, if the pillars are the accelerator that provides speed, the conditions are the brakes and steering wheel that guide and control that speed.-
Livability
- Accessibility to services and facilities
- Affordability (housing, transportation, etc.)
- Meaningful employment opportunities
- Safety & Security
- Cleanliness and hygiene
- Social equity and justice
- A strong sense of community
- Availability of quality education and healthcare
- Attractive and sufficient public spaces
- Walkability
- A healthy natural environment
- Engaging cultural activities
- Opportunities for public participation
-
Functionality
- Transportation
- Drainage
- Social services (health and education)
- Utility and life support systems
- Economy
- Energy
- Natural environment and ecosystems
- Governance
-
Functionality
- Natural and human-made hazards
- Economic downturns or depressions
- The impacts of climate change
A Humane and Inclusive Approach to Urban Planning
Should the plan dictate the city, or should the city dictate the plan? This fundamental question challenges whether urban planning should act as a decisive, all-encompassing force or simply serve as one of many efforts aiming to harmonize a complex and expansive system. Will urban planners seek to leverage the city's inherent strengths and characteristics, or will they yield to the manipulative influences of market forces? These core considerations shaped the approach to developing DAP 2022. The underlying philosophy of this plan prioritizes infusing the city with a more humane character over solely emphasizing economic aspects. Thus, focusing on enhancing the quality of life for residents by viewing the city as a human habitat. While the success of this goal remains to be seen, the plan acknowledges the increasing societal divisions and the growing disconnect between humans and nature. Despite contributing significantly to the national GDP, the city has struggled to distribute these benefits equitably among its people. DAP 2022 attempts to shift these priorities by committing to inclusiveness and rebuilding the relationship between humans and nature. To achieve these objectives, the plan proposes strategies that diverge from traditional colonial-era planning. For instance, it advocates for guided mixed-use development across major parts of Dhaka, drawing inspiration from the traditional shophouse culture of old Dhaka. The design of pedestrian-friendly streets and policies for structured street vendor management further support the goal of inclusivity. Moreover, DAP 2022 emphasizes Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) such as the creation of 'urban lifelines' and the development of 590 square kilometers of waterways. These initiatives are ambitious steps toward reestablishing a harmonious relationship between humans and the natural environment, aligning with Dhaka's historical way of life centered around water.Identifying Key Leverage Points for Dhaka's Transformation in DAP 2022-2035
Leverage areas are particular elements of the city where even a minor adjustment may set off a series of noteworthy and extensive advancements. Positively addressing these problems can have a significant effect on many different regions, industries, and demographics. The fastest and most efficient outcomes may be achieved by concentrating on a small number of crucial areas if the objective is to positively improve Dhaka. The DAP 2022–2035 policy principles, rules, and specific zoning choices have been established with this in mind. Finding these significant leverage points is the first step toward achieving the goals of the strategy. Next, supporting plans, drawings, maps, and policy guidelines are created. The following are the main leverage points that DAP 2022–2035 prioritizes:- Implementing more effective and practical land use guidelines
- Establishing the Urban Lifeline concept
- Ensuring education and primary healthcare for the general population
- Prioritizing non-motorized transport and pedestrian movement
- Providing affordable housing for lower and lower-middle-income groups
- Promoting gradual urbanization and development based on local livelihoods
- Decentralizing and adopting community-based solid and liquid waste management and recycling systems
- Developing appropriate strategies for environmentally sensitive areas
- Creating a hydrologically sensitive and sustainable integrated land development strategy
Conclusion
The DAP 2022–2035 shows a slow continuation approach to planning, regulation, and city administration is visible in several areas, including road hierarchy, water and flood management, and land use zoning. The foundation of this strategy is the notion of non-disruptive, incremental change that respects local lives, livelihoods, and lifestyles. While accepting that some degree of change is necessary for a dynamic metropolis like Dhaka, it avoids making sudden, drastic adjustments. The plan acknowledges that resistance to change may impede Dhaka's organic development and progress. Future-looking, Dhaka is expected to become one of the most carefully planned cities in the world according to the DAP 2022. Investing in land development or buying flats in Dhaka is probably a wise move because these ventures are anticipated to prosper and value, turning into priceless assets for locals.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the new DAP policy?
DAPs state that the construction space for residential plots will be lowered from the current construction area by 33-53%. A 5-katha plot next to a 20-foot road used to have an authorized floor plan size of 13,500 square feet on eight stories. This has been shrunk to nine thousand square feet on five stories under DAP.What is the DAP area of Dhaka?
The DAP map includes the trading areas of Narayanganj, Saver, Old Dhaka, Keraniganj, and the forest Gazipur. The entire region is around 1528 square km. Any further regions that Dhaka has subsequently absorbed will likewise be included.testimonials
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