Assignment Name: “Preparation of Development Plan for Fourteen Upazilas” Project Package 05 – Master Plan for Ramu Upazila and Rangunia Upazila

Country: Bangladesh

Client Name: Urban Development Directorate

The “Preparation of Development Plan for Fourteen Upazilas” Project Package 05, focused on Ramu Upazila (Cox’s Bazar District) and Rangunia Upazila (Chittagong District), was a significant urban and rural planning initiative commissioned by the Urban Development Directorate (UDD) of Bangladesh. The primary goal was to design a comprehensive, five-tier development plan, comprising a Sub-Regional Plan, Structure Plan, Urban Area Plan, Rural Area Plan, and Action Area Plan. This initiative aimed to create sustainable development strategies, enhance infrastructure, and uplift the socio-economic conditions of the population over a 20-year planning horizon.

The project addressed the unique challenges and opportunities in these upazilas, considering their geographic location, economic potential, and environmental vulnerabilities. Ramu and Rangunia are regions with growing populations, tourism potential, and agricultural bases but face unplanned growth, inadequate infrastructure, and vulnerability to natural disasters. The development plan emphasized integrating Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) approaches, environmental sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.

The project’s overarching goal was to craft a 20-year visionary master plan that aligned with the unique developmental needs and potentials of both urban and rural areas within the Upazilas. This plan guided infrastructural advancements and investments, ensuring the enhancement and maintenance of existing facilities while proposing new infrastructures such as roads, bridges, drainage systems, markets, bus terminals, and sanitation facilities. Additionally, the plan focused on improving the management capacities of local government institutions to boost their revenue-generating capabilities, thereby fostering sustainable self-governance.

Key objectives included:

A. National Development Objectives

• Develop a 20-year vision and Master Plan for urban and rural development in Ramu and Rangunia Upazilas, addressing transport, housing, infrastructure, sanitation, water supply, drainage, waste management, electricity, education, and other facilities to improve the quality of life for all, especially the disadvantaged.
• Formulate a participatory multi-sector investment plan, prioritizing drainage, transportation, and other critical infrastructure in line with sustainability principles.
• Establish development controls for private sector activities, ensuring clarity, security, and alignment with future growth.
• Provide guidelines for planned development considering opportunities and constraints, promoting both urban and rural progress.
• Facilitate urban growth while protecting farmlands and accommodating non-agricultural activities.
• Set standards for public sector services and support livelihoods to uplift local communities.
• Preserve ecosystems by integrating environmental considerations into development planning.
• Prevent involuntary displacement under the guise of development initiatives.
• Control unplanned and undesirable development in designated areas.

B. Immediate Objectives

Objective 1: Determination of Present and Future Functions of the Upazila

• Prepare Sub-Regional, Structure, Urban Area, Rural Area, and Action Area Plans based on surveys (e.g., land use, topographical, environmental, and socio-economic).
• Conduct studies on traffic, drainage, economic activities, slums, and recreational facilities to guide development.

Objective 2: Mechanism for Improving and Guiding Development

• Develop a five-tier development plan with clear standards and guidelines.
• Engage communities and stakeholders in controlling and guiding initiatives.
• Propose institutional and legislative reforms to enhance governance.

Objective 3: Review of Existing Problems and Propose Initiatives

• Analyze and address current development challenges through short-term actions.
• Design sectoral programs to reduce poverty and improve infrastructure.
• Create Action Area Plans for targeted improvements and sustainable economic activities.

Objective 4: Formulation of Bankable Projects

• Identify and prioritize Multi-Sectoral Investment Projects (MSIPs) through participatory methods.
• Develop investment plans and project packages suitable for financial appraisal.

Objective 5: Capacity Building for Local Authorities

• Analyze budgets and funding sources to enhance financial management.
• Provide detailed land use maps for efficient decision-making.
• Propose initiatives to increase local authority revenue and rationalize roles among agencies.
• Support the preparation of strategic and actionable plans for urban and rural management.
• Strengthen technical capacities for sustainable and coordinated planning, incorporating GIS-based data for dynamic updates.

Through a participatory approach, the project incorporated insights from local stakeholders, government agencies, and technical experts to align the plans with national policies, including the Sixth Five-Year Plan, Perspective Plan 2021, and the National Disaster Management Plan.

DM WATCH, in joint venture with HCL, meticulously executed the development plan project for Ramu and Rangunia Upazilas. Our team was responsible for a range of services that included:

Project Inception and Mobilization:

• Established site offices in Ramu and Rangunia for field operations.
• Conducted inception meetings, tea stall gatherings, and courtyard discussions to engage local stakeholders and introduce project objectives.
• Submitted an Inception Report detailing work plans, methodologies, and initial findings.

Data Collection and Analysis:

• Conducted socio-economic and demographic surveys to forecast population growth and infrastructure needs.
• Performed detailed studies on physical infrastructure, land use, transportation, drainage, and environmental factors.
• Collected and digitized Mouza maps and prepared GIS-based base maps for planning.
• Conducted household surveys, PRA sessions, and environmental studies to identify critical issues and development opportunities.

Preparation of Development Plans:

• Sub-Regional Plan: Focused on regional connectivity, resource management, and economic integration.
• Structure Plan: Addressed spatial planning for settlements, transportation corridors, and economic zones.
• Urban and Rural Area Plans: Developed zoning guidelines for residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural uses, balancing growth with environmental conservation.
• Action Area Plan: Proposed immediate and high-priority interventions such as road upgrades, drainage systems, and community facilities.

Technical Studies:

• Conducted hydrological and geological surveys to address flood risks and ensure sustainable infrastructure development.
• Assessed disaster risks, including seismic vulnerabilities, and integrated contingency planning into the development framework.
• Evaluated existing transportation networks, proposed traffic management solutions, and designed transportation master plans.

Stakeholder Engagement and Participatory Planning:

• Organized focus group discussions, community consultations, and workshops with local authorities, businesses, and residents.
• Facilitated capacity-building sessions for local government officials on plan implementation and monitoring.

Policy Alignment and Recommendations:

• Reviewed national and local policies to ensure alignment with development objectives.
• Proposed institutional reforms and capacity-building measures for effective plan implementation and governance.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Delivered detailed technical reports, including GIS maps, demographic analyses, and infrastructure assessments.
• Prepared guidelines for zoning, land use, and development control to prevent unplanned growth.
• Submitted a comprehensive Development Plan outlining phased implementation strategies and funding recommendations.

Innovative Solutions and Sustainability:

• Developed strategies for sustainable tourism and eco-friendly economic activities.
• Incorporated DRR approaches into land use and infrastructure planning to mitigate disaster impacts.
• Promoted public-private partnerships to attract investment and ensure long-term economic viability.

This comprehensive planning effort aimed to transform Ramu and Rangunia into well-structured, resilient, and economically vibrant regions, contributing to the broader goals of sustainable national development.