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'Playgrounds are like the lungs of a city'

Experts urge to build a better Dhaka for children

Staff Correspondent
Children's interests must be at the heart of city planning, policymakers and experts said yesterday in presence of some 700 young minds - secondary and higher secondary level students from different educational institutions across Dhaka and Narayanganj.
Save the Children, Bangladesh Institute of Planners and Social and Economic Enhancement Progamme jointly organised the daylong conference at Krishibid Institution auditorium, with a view to ensuring cleaner, greener and safer city for children, who - according to organisers -constitute around half of the country's 4.27 crore urban population.
Architect Iqbal Habib and city planner Adil Mohammad Khan presented two separate keynotes on children's right to play, and child-friendly urban spaces.
Referring to a study in the capital, Iqbal Habib said that some 25 percent children have lost their full lung capacity. "It is urgent to develop the city maintaining a proper ecosystem. Adequate greenery, playgrounds, wetlands - these are the core criteria to make the city environment-friendly.”
He proposed making tree plantation mandatory in every building of the city, and tax exemption incentives for doing so.
In his presentation, Adil Mohammad Khan noted that there are correlations between teenage crimes and playground facilities for teens. "Playground is a part of health-infrastructure; it works as the lungs of an over-crowded city."
People of 84 percent areas of Dhaka city (as of 90 wards of undivided Dhaka city) are deprived of open playground facility, he said, adding that there is only one square feet open space (playground, parks, walking space etc) for each Dhaka city dweller.
There should be at least nine square feet of open space for every citizen on an average, according to World Health Organization standards, he said.
Of the 235 playgrounds or open spaces, only 42 are open to the public in the city, Adil also said. "If there is plan, it is possible to create playgrounds at walking distance for everybody within ten years. There needs to be a movement to free playgrounds from occupation."
Addressing the event as chief guest,
Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam said, "We have plans; the prime minister is also sincere about it. There will be no compromise in rescuing the playgrounds."
He also informed that "Joi Nisorgo"- a project to rescue and renovate several wetlands in Dhaka city which add up up to triple the size of Hatirjheel, is currently at the Local Government Engineering Department ministry for approval.
Besides, 9.38-kilometre bicycle lane is being built along an under-construction road in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, the mayor informed.
Ishtiaq Mannan, deputy country director of Save the Children, said, "The most innovative ideas come from children when they are free from all kinds of pressure. We hope they would grow up to fulfill their potentials."
Officials from government and development organisations also attended the programme, among others.