In the last two decades, various types of elevated structures including flyovers, elevated expressways, BRT, u-loops and metro-rail have been constructed to ease traffic congestion in capital Dhaka. They have a total length of 105 kilometers spread in different areas. There are about 207 acres of land under these flyovers lying abandoned due to encroachment and various misuses. As a result of its various negative effects, the amount of social, economic, environmental, and public health losses is more than 2 billion US dollars every year.
Recently, this has been pointed out in a study by the Center for Inclusive Architecture and Urbanism (Ci+AU) of BRAC University, funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). However, Ci+AU says that in Dhaka's socio-economic context, it is possible to turn this valuable urban land under the flyovers into a resource through public welfare-oriented and public health-friendly planning. The land can be used for different purposes, turning it into a 'green' infrastructure without affecting its mobility. It will increase the livability of the city as well as accelerate pedestrian-friendly urbanization.
Dhaka's Elevated Structures at a glance:
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The research report was presented in the Ci+AU seminar room at BRAC University on Sunday (June 25) afternoon. Urbanists, planners, economists, public health researchers and journalists from print and electronic media participated in it.
The executive director Ci+AU, Professor Dr. Adnan Zillur Morshed said that as the flyover is speeding up the internal communication system of the city, there is also an opportunity to use the areas below it for creating public space and for public-welfare purposes.
He added that parking, public toilets, police boxes, mosques, temporary kancha bazaars, garbage dumps and small shops have been built in several places under Mayor Mohammad Hanif flyover and Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover. Somewhere in the dark, the informal livings of some poor people have been seen. In some places the low-income and small entrepreneurs are making a place to earn, and some street-childrens are also playing cricket. Sometimes drug use and drug dealing take place in dark places. It is also posing a safety threat to pedestrians. Sporadic greening was seen at some places under the initiative of the city corporation. The main thing is that there is no general policy on this. As a result, balanced use of most of the land is not ensured.
Dr. Adnan Zillur Morshed said, "In the developed countries of the world, people-friendly, sustainable and cost-effective community zones are being created under flyovers and elevated structures, where there are walking paths and bicycle lanes, urban agriculture, gardens, forestry and sports facilities. In some places, basic health care and exercise centers, swimming pools, rainwater harvesting and street plays and art exhibitions have been developed. In many places, small entrepreneurs or low-
income people are getting involved. Goodwill is needed to ensure multi-purpose use of infrastructure like airports. Our main objective is to attract the attention of all involved with the city administration and contribute to filling the planning deficit.
According to the Center for Inclusive Architecture and Urbanism (Ci+AU), the methodology of this research project included ethnographic surveys among the locals of different flyover-adjacent areas of Dhaka, which included traders, temporary shopkeepers, people living in houses, pedestrians and traffic police. A survey was conducted on the impact of the flyover and the area covered under it on their daily lives through a questionnaire survey. In addition, economists, transport experts, engineers, urban planners, environmentalists, local government department officials and legal experts have come up with new ideas to bring about changes in overall policies.
In this study of the effective conversion of unused land under the flyover. Adnan Zillur Morshed lead a team of researchers, including S. M. Shafaiet Mahmud, Wasila Fatima Nilia and Md. Fahim Hasan Rizvi. In addition, public health expert Professor Dr. Liaquat Ali Khan, Professor of Civil Engineering Department of BUET. Dr. M. Shamsul Haque, economist Dr. Syed Akhtar Mahmud, urban planner Professor Dr. Akter Mahmud, additional chief engineer of R&HD Dr. Waliur Rahman, Associate Professor of Geography and Environment Department of Jahangirnagar University Dr. Tanjinul Haque Mollah and Tanveer Sobhan, a teacher in the Department of Economics at BRAC University were involved as consultants at various stages.
Dr. Adnan Zillur Morshed also said, "We want the cities of Bangladesh to make the best use of urban land for public-welfare, which will be beneficial for us as a whole." However, instead of making any linear plan, it is necessary to understand the socio-economic character of the local area and the current usage pattern to ensure the balanced use of the areas below the flyover. Urban livability and quality of life can be enhanced through creative planning that ensures inclusive planning and participation of all, without uprooting the underprivileged. This can be done without in any way impairing the uninterrupted means of communication provided by air. In the developed world such ideas are now being implemented through the combined efforts of city administrations, planners, architects and urban-related professionals.