In light of the recent recurrence of a series of unfortunate building ‘accidents’ that Bangladesh has witnessed, we may conclude that these are the identified patterns of repeated shortcomings we are reiterating more. Although it is not appropriate to generalize at this moment since various ‘institutions’ are ‘investigating’ the root causes of these accidents. We can categorize the identified causes of past accidents into three parts: 1. Buildings were constructed without following approved plans or with deviations from the original design, 2. Unauthorized uses and activities were carried out within the buildings, and 3. Proper management, maintenance, and risk reduction policies were not adhered to.
While investigations are currently underway to identify the causes of these accidents, media outlets have already begun to dissect the issue. Research institutes and academics are also delving into the subject, though it remains unclear whether enough thought and research has been conducted.
There is, really, nothing new to write about these overarching issues, as we can hardly find any media outlet that doesn’t feature talk shows, opinion columns, reviews, and elegies on such incidents. Moreover, there is no shortage of academic research and investigations by scholars in this field.
So, what am I trying to say here? Not much, really. I am merely reflecting on whether there is enough contemplation and research on the thoughts that are swirling in my head. Specifically, I am trying to understand the state of our attitude and practice concerning the creation, usage, and maintenance of building structures, and whether we are taking past issues seriously while formulating and implementing policies related to building design, construction, usage, and maintenance.
The central question we must ask ourselves is whether we are learning from our past mistakes and taking the necessary steps to avoid such catastrophes in the future. Are we giving due importance to the formulation and implementation of policies, and engaging in constructive discussions to identify and rectify the shortcomings in our construction industry? It is only through a collective effort of introspection, policy reform, and continued dialogue that we can hope to make our buildings safer and prevent further tragic accidents. The real issue at hand is understanding the state of behavior and practice concerning the construction, use, and maintenance of infrastructure. It’s essential to consider past conduct and practice when formulating policies to ensure the safety of infrastructure.
A few questions buzzing around my concerned mind:
1. Why are these incidents called ‘accidents’?
Even when the purpose, planning, design, construction, usage, management, and maintenance of something are done correctly, undesired events can still occur, which we call accidents. Taking all these factors into account, can we really call the incidents happening in our country ‘accidents’?
2. How long will it take to solve these problems, and are we making the best use of our current capabilities?
We have various national plans, policies, and laws in place. The institutional structure, from the ministry to the national, divisional, district, upazila, and union levels, is quite good despite some weaknesses. However, the effectiveness of these institutions is questionable due to the shortage of skilled human resources and budget constraints. How many decades will it take to solve these problems, and are we making the best use of our current capabilities?
3. Has the term ‘investigation’ become a joke?
Nowadays, the term ‘investigation’ seems to have turned into a laughable word and task. This is because people naturally want to see effective results. Those who have experienced the investigation reports of these types of accidents know that the reports are quite good, as committees are formed with specialists from various institutions. Along with identifying the causes, these reports also include recommendations. Unfortunately, the real tragedy lies in ensuring punishment for the accused and, more importantly, the implementation of the recommendations regarding our policies, execution, and monitoring. How much of the recommended actions are visible and effective in practice? Why is there negligence in solving previously identified issues?
What I, actually, wanted to say is that every nation’s civilization must surpass various stages to reach its pinnacle, which is true. There is much debate about which stage we are in now, but it is generally believed that we have gone beyond the primary stage. One of the many approaches to development and planning involves the ‘knowledge-attitude-practice’ model, which aims to achieve desired goals by implementing action plans to solve problems through a progressive or combined transformation.
It seems that we have enough knowledge about the problems, but what we need is a change in attitude and practice. This requires a major push. In Bangla, we have the terms ‘komol’(soft) and ‘kothor’(hard). Some people’s attitudes and practices might change through softer action plans, but in our case, most attitude-practice changes will not happen without a firm approach. Consider this example: those who travel through cantonment areas tend to be more mindful of their behavior and practice, whether pedestrians or drivers, adhering to traffic laws and maintaining discipline. However, the same individual might exhibit different behavior and discussions outside the cantonment area. Why is that? I believe this doesn’t require further explanation.
Now, considering this example, questions arise around the effectiveness of national plans, policies, and laws. Despite having good institutional frameworks for implementation and monitoring at different tiers, the authorities must enforce stricter measures to change the attitude and practice of ordinary people, but where does the push come from to change the attitude and practice of the ‘authorities’ themselves? After all, they are the primary stakeholders in problem-solving, right?
In conclusion, significant changes are needed in the attitude, and practice concerning infrastructure safety. While some attitude and practices may be altered through milder programs, most will require drastic changes. It’s crucial to consider all stakeholders when solving the issue, as disasters will continue to increase, leading to widespread insecurity. If all stakeholders don’t adopt appropriate code of conduct, the extent and scope of adverse consequences will increase, and insecurity will become widespread and severe. Our future generations will remember us with disdain!
Author: Md. Bayazid Hasan, Managing Director, DM WATCH LIMITED
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