The urban population in Bangladesh is expected to exceed 85 million by 2050
A stakeholder consultation workshop on the draft National Urban Policy (NUP) 2025 was held on Tuesday at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The workshop was organized by the Local Government Division with the support of various ministries, development partners, academia, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
The event was chaired by Md. Nizam Uddin, Secretary of the Local Government Division. Among the distinguished guests were Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh; Ho Yun Jeong, Country Director of ADB Bangladesh; and James Goldman, Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director at the British High Commission, Dhaka.
The draft National Urban Policy 2025 is the outcome of years of extensive research and collaboration, initiated in 2004. It provides a comprehensive framework for addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization in Bangladesh, with the urban population expected to exceed 85 million by 2050. The policy emphasizes equitable development, climate-resilient urban planning, and sustainable growth to meet the country’s urban needs.
The draft policy highlights the importance of climate adaptation by proposing strategies to enhance resilience in disaster-prone urban areas. It also aims to reduce inequality by addressing the needs of marginalized communities, including the poor, women, and displaced populations. In addition, the policy aligns with Bangladesh’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting inclusive and sustainable urban planning practices.
UNDP has been a long-standing partner in improving urban living standards in Bangladesh. Through initiatives like the LIUPCP Project, which has improved the lives of over four million people in 19 cities, and affordable housing projects that have provided safe homes for more than 2,300 marginalized individuals, UNDP has demonstrated effective models for addressing urban and climate challenges. During the workshop, stakeholders were invited to review the draft National Urban Policy and provide recommendations to make it more inclusive, relevant, and effective. The discussions emphasized the importance of collaboration among government entities, development partners, and civil society to successfully implement the policy and achieve sustainable urbanization.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from the Local Government Division, acknowledging the contributions of all participants. The National Urban Policy 2025 represents a critical step in promoting sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient urbanization in Bangladesh, and its success will depend on the continued collaboration and shared commitment of all stakeholders.
