The World Bank has approved $100.5 million to improve public spaces and urban services in four large neighbourhoods under the Dhaka South City Corporation.
Published : 31 Mar 2019, 02:54 PM
The project aims to cater to the needs of women, youths, elderly and disabled, who often refrain from using public amenities.
“The population of Dhaka has grown from 3 million in 1980 to 18 million today. But, its infrastructure could not keep up with its population growth,” said World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Robert Saum.
“Global experience shows that good public urban spaces are fundamental to improving the quality of life. The project will pilot interventions to enable the residents to better use and enjoy public urban spaces.”
The four selected localities are: Kamrangir Char, Lalbagh, Sutrapur-Nayabazar-Gulistan and Khilgaon-Mugda-Bashabo.
The WB project will also pilot interventions for better traffic management and safe mobility. This will include developing plans for traffic management as well as improving intersection geometry and walkability for pedestrians.
“Well-designed public areas such as streets, sidewalks, parks, lighting, and multipurpose community centres can make a big difference to people’s lives. They can immensely improve the living standards by improving safety, health, mobility, recreation and economic vibrancy,” said Jon Kher Kaw, World Bank’s team leader for the Dhaka City Neighbourhood Upgrading Project.
He said that the project will appraise, design, and implement schemes to enhance public spaces and address challenges of unplanned urbanization in the four neighbourhoods.
The project will help increase green open spaces by enhancing selected parks, streets and waterfront areas, in both low-income neighbourhoods and downtown areas. Multipurpose community centres will include a mix of new uses to serve neighbourhoods and incorporate environment-friendly features and energy efficient design principles and materials.
The credit from the World Bank’s International Development Association, which provides concessional financing, has a 30-year term, including a five-year grace period, and an interest rate of 1.25 percent with a service charge of 0.75 percent.