Planners for red notices to unsafe buildings

The Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), an organisation comprising urban planners, has emphasised the need for clear indicators of building safety. They proposed the implementation of a red notice system, prominently displayed in front of buildings deemed hazardous.

In light of the recent Bailey Road fire incident, the organisation has underscored the concerning trend of prioritising profit over safety. They assert that in such instances, the fate of individuals within the buildings remains uncertain. This state of affairs is deemed unsustainable by the BIP.

Pending a thorough investigation into the Bailey Road fire, the organisation has urged for the strictest penalties to be levied against those found responsible for the incident.

During a press conference titled “Fire Incident at Bailey Road and Safety of Life in Buildings: BIP’s Observation and Proposals” held at the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) office in the city, urban planners addressed the Bailey Road fire incident and emphasised the importance of life safety measures in buildings. The president of the organisation, Prof. Adil Muhammad Khan, highlighted that the building owner on Bailey Road obtained conditional approval through coercion and influence. He stressed the need to curb this trend of using brute force to secure approvals, asserting that rigid enforcement from state authorities should counteract such muscular tactics.

Adil Muhammad Khan has urged for the online accessibility of information regarding all buildings in Dhaka to ensure they are being utilised according to their intended purposes. He specifically mentioned that the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkho (RAJUK) could feasibly achieve this within a month if the necessary measures are taken.

In a written statement, Adil Muhammad Khan highlighted the recurrence of fire incidents in various areas of Dhaka, including Nimtoli, Churihatta, Banani FR Tower, Moghbazar, and Bangabazar, emphasising the recent Bailey Road incident as another alarming example. He expressed concern over Dhaka consistently ranking poorly in global livability indices, juxtaposing this with the reality that residents of the city must contend with significant life safety risks. Adil Muhammad Khan underscored the need to evaluate whether similar risks are prevalent in other cities worldwide, urging for concerted efforts to address this critical issue.

The president of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) sharply criticised the relevant authorities, pointing out that the building on Bailey Road lacked adequate fire safety measures and a proper fire safety plan. He highlighted the alarming fact that prior to the unfortunate incident, the fire service had issued three warnings to the building authorities, alerting them to the imminent danger. Despite these warnings, neither the building owners nor the occupants took any corrective action. In contrast, the fire service diligently fulfilled its responsibility by repeatedly notifying the concerned parties of the hazards present in the building.

Adil Muhammad Khan further asserts that multiple organisations responsible for city management and state administration are culpable for the negligence evident in this incident. He highlights the glaring lack of coordination between various city agencies as a significant contributing factor. Prof. Adil questions the rationale behind the City Corporation granting a trade license to a restaurant operated by Rajuk within a building where Rajuk has only authorised office operations. He expresses astonishment at the restaurant business continuing without the requisite approval from the fire service. Adil emphasises that without effective coordination among city agencies, ensuring the safety of such buildings remains an insurmountable challenge.

During the press conference, the BIP put forward several proposals aimed at addressing the shortcomings in building safety and urban planning standards. These proposals include:

Rethinking the setback requirements between buildings in Dhaka city in accordance with established urban planning standards; Advocating for amendments to building regulations to ensure compliance with modern safety standards; Emphasising the mandatory requirement for a planning assessment report to be submitted in order to obtain planning approval for different uses within buildings, including restaurants.