In a bid to bolster Khulna City's defenses against climate change, a consultation workshop on 'Land Use, Housing and Open Space' was held at the CSS Ava Centre. The event, organized under the Climate Change Adapted Urban Development (CCAUD) Programme Phase-II, saw participation from the Khulna City Corporation (KCC), Khulna Development Authority (KDA), and the German Development Bank (KfW). The workshop aimed to formulate a comprehensive climate resilience strategy for the city.
KCC Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju, who chaired the workshop, emphasized the critical role of proper land use in sustainable urban development. He highlighted the adverse effects of unplanned development and stressed the need for future projects to be grounded in practical needs. Manju drew attention to the unused government-owned lands in the city, suggesting that proper planning and utilization, as seen in Dhaka's Hatirjheel project, could significantly enhance the city's environment and aesthetics.
The workshop also underscored the importance of integrating drainage facilities with new roads and housing projects, improving link roads, and constructing small bridges over canals along the city boundary. Manju called for coordinated efforts among all development agencies to achieve urban development goals.
Officials from the CCAUD project outlined its major components, which include climate-resilient infrastructure development, drainage system modernization, and institutional support for flood management. Notable projects under this initiative are the construction of sustainable embankments and retaining walls, the re-excavation and beautification of major canals, and the restoration of government ponds to improve groundwater recharge.
KDA Chairman SM Shafiqul Alam announced the allocation of nearly 4,000 residential plots through ten housing projects to meet the city's housing demand. He also revealed that solar systems have been made mandatory in all new building designs approved by the authority. Alam further announced plans to develop a walkway around Nirala Dighi and replace Kalpataru Market in Daulatpur with a mini stadium.
The workshop concluded with a call for restoring encroached natural canals and coordinated action by the city corporation and district administration to make Khulna more livable for future generations.
