DHAKA, Oct 1, 2023 (BSS) - The World Habitat Day-2023 will be observed tomorrow in the country as elsewhere in the world in a bid to raise awareness among people about safe and habitable residence for all.

The United Nations designated the first Monday of October of every year as the World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of towns and cities.

The Day is also intended to remind the world that all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of their cities and towns.

This year's theme of day is 'Resilient Urban Economies, Cities as Drivers of Growth and Recovery.'

On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages wishing all the programmes taken for the day a success.

In his message, President Mohammed Shahabuddin underscored the need for building sustainable cities and neighborhoods for the sake of sustainable development.

The 'Goal 11' of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-2030 sets a global target to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and settlements, the head of the state said.

"To this end, the government is working to build sustainable cities and towns by ensuring safe and affordable housing alongside ensuring adequate access to basic services and housing for the underprivileged," he added.

Noting that planned urbanization is one of the determinants in achieving economic growth of the country, he said master plans have been adopted for major cities of the country, including Dhaka, to continue the current trend of development.

The president believed that the Detailed Area Plan (DAP 2022-35) prepared by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works will play an important role in ensuring a safe, livable, planned and sustainable urbanization for the present and future generations.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman undertook various activities for the overall development of the masses of the country aiming to improve the living standard of all the people in the country.

At the same time, he (Bangabandhu) wanted to ensure a balanced development of urban and rural areas, the premier added.

In continuation of the activities taken under the visionary and strong leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, she said, the Awami League (AL)-led government is determined to develop cities as centers of economic growth.

The premier added that various development projects undertaken and implemented by the present government such as: Metro Rail Project, Padma Bridge Project, Elevated Expressway Project, flyover construction projects and Asrayan projects will contribute to ensuring the economic growth and recovery of the city.

Noting that cities are the heart of economic growth and recovery, she said urbanization is not the result of economic growth but it is the real driving force.
 
"A stable urban economy is essential for the growth and recovery of cities," she added.

It has been observed what kind of disaster can be caused during the COVID-19 if the economy of the city is not stabilized, she said, adding that though the Covid-19 has slowed down the overall development of the world, the government has shown outstanding success in dealing with this pandemic, setting an example in the world now-a-days.

She said in the light of Article 16 of the constitution of Bangladesh, the government has adopted a multifaceted action plan to eliminate the disparity in the quality of life between urban and rural areas.

The country's homeless and landless people are being rehabilitated through the 'Asrayan Project', she continued.

There will be no more homeless and landless people in the country, she said, adding that housing benefit for government employees has been increased from eight percent to 28 percent, which will soon be increased to 40 percent.

"All these groundbreaking steps will play an important role in achieving the economic growth of the country," Sheikh Hasina hoped.

She firmly believed that the incumbent government will get the full cooperation of the people of the country to establish a stable and developed economy in Bangladesh before the world.

"To this end we have announced Vision 2041," she said.

"By 2041, Bangladesh will be a poverty-free, happy-prosperous, developed 'Smart Bangladesh'.'Sonar Bangladesh' will be materialized as dreamt by the Father of the Nation," the premier hoped.