Stressing the importance of ensuring safe habitat for all discussants at a multi-sectoral meeting in Rajshahi on Monday unanimously viewed that planned urbanization can be the best ways of safe habitation.
Besides, substantial and sustainable reduction of carbon emission has become crucial to ensure safe habitation. The speakers came up with the observation while addressing the meeting on the occasion of observing the World Habitat Day- 2021 on Monday.
Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA) and Commissioner Office of Rajshahi Division jointly organized the meeting at the conference hall of Divisional Commissioner.
The theme of the day this year is 'Accelerating urban action for a carbon-free world'.
Divisional Commissioner Dr Humayun Kabir addressed the meeting as chief guest, while RDA Chairman Anwar Hossain was in the chair virtually discussing and devising ways and means on how to establish a carbon-free Rajshahi.
Deputy Commissioner Abdul Jalil, Additional Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Suzayet Islam, Superintendent of Police Abdus Salam, Additional Chief Engineer of Department of Public Works Muhammad Khalequzzaman and Additional Divisional Commissioner Dr Ziaul Haque also spoke.
Former Chief Engineer of Rajshahi City Corporation Ashraful Haque and RDA Authorized Officer Abul Kalam Azad gave an overview of the city's habitation and environment situation in their two separate keynote presentations. The discussants unequivocally called for promotion of renewable energies to lessen the gradually mounting pressure on using fossil fuel which is one of the main reasons behind the carbon emission.
They identically mentioned that cities are responsible for some 70 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions with transport, buildings, energy, and waste management accounting for the bulk of urban greenhouse gas emissions.
The future of the planet depends on national, regional and local governments and organizations, communities, academic institutions, the private sector and all relevant stakeholders working together to create sustainable, carbon-neutral, inclusive cities and towns.
In his remarks, Dr Humayun Kabir mentioned that the rural poor people with their recurrent disaster exposures are migrating into urban areas. These newcomers face a high employment crisis in the city and with very poor-
quality housing and other well-being further tapping them into a deeper urban poverty cycle.
Climate change is becoming a threat to the urban environment and development and livelihood as well as uncertainty. Urban poverty is highly linked with rural disaster risks.
The urbanisation situation, particularly the housing in the city, is getting more acute with every passing year.
