Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Sept 8, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister's Adviser for Education Mahdi Amin today said the government's key objective is to build a humane, people-centred and environment-friendly urban system rather than building a big city to address the crisis of unplanned urbanisation and environmental challenges.

Mahdi Amin, also spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), came up with the government plan at the concluding session titled 'From Policy to Action' of the two-day National Urban Forum-2026 at a hotel in the capital, said a press release.

The event was jointly organised by the Local Government Division, UNDP and the UK government.

"Sustainable urban development can't be measured by the construction of large buildings or wide roads. Rather, the real measure of success should be how many people's quality of life has genuinely improved through urbanisation and how meaningful and sustainable that change is," he said.

The adviser said the present government wants to adopt "360-degree holistic approach" to resolving citizens' urban problems.

Highlighting the role of urban areas in Bangladesh's economy and the current challenges, he said nearly two-thirds of the country's GDP comes from urban areas, where one-third of the population lives.

"However, rapid and unplanned urbanisation is putting extreme pressure on housing, public transport, water supply, sanitation, waste management and the environment. Climate change, inequality and climate-induced migration have compounded these challenges," Mahdi Amin said.

The government wants to build an inclusive urban framework, Mahdi said, adding it would not serve any particular class but ensure safe water, sanitation, quality healthcare, affordable education, uninterrupted electricity, modern public transport and dignified employment for every citizen.

"These services are not luxuries; they are constitutional and fundamental rights of every citizen," the PMO spokesperson said.

Emphasising effective coordination among the central and local governments, city corporations, municipalities, development authorities, the private sector, researchers and civil society for successful implementation of urban policies, he said urban problems do not remain confined within administrative boundaries.

"Therefore, instead of imposing decisions from the top, we have to combine grassroots realities and experiences with global practices," Mahdi Amin said.

As part of climate resilience, he called for protecting rivers, canals, wetlands and green spaces and adopting "nature-based solutions" to address waterlogging and heatwaves.

The adviser also stressed that technology and artificial intelligence (AI) should be used as tools while the ultimate goal should be to make cities truly 'humane'.

Noting that the deadlock situation of 16 years of authoritarian rule cannot be removed overnight, he said the government's political commitment under the leadership of the Prime Minister is very strong.

"The government is committed to working with all stakeholders to resolve the crises through practical and sustainable solutions. The well-planned cities we build today will determine what kind of Bangladesh we want to see tomorrow," Mahdi Amin said.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and UNDP Bangladesh Deputy Resident Representative Sonali Dayaratne also spoke at the programme.

International development partners, researchers, urban planners and senior government officials were present at the event.