Poor-rural population most affected by energy crisis: IPD
The pressure of global energy crisis and import dependence has raised new questions in Bangladesh’s urbanization and development. The burden of inequality caused by shortage of fuel oil and electricity crisis falls most heavily on the poor and rural communities. Rural and marginalized people are deprived of basic services as a result of urban centric policies. In this context integrated urban-rural planning and rapid transition to alternative energy is essential.
The speakers said this in a dialogue titled ‘Urbanisation and development of Bangladesh in the context of fuel crisis and changing global conditions’ organized by the Institute for Planning and Development (IPD). This dialogue was held in the conference room of Biswa Sahitya Kendra at Banglamotor in the capital on Friday morning.
বিজ্ঞাপন
IPD Executive Director Urban Planner Professor Adil Muhammad Khan presented the keynote speech in the dialogue. He emphasized on Bangladesh’s preparation and policy review in the global situation. Warning to face future risks, he said, the country is facing crisis due to import dependent energy system. Limited supplies of gas and oil, electricity shortages and urban-centric development policies are increasing inequality. Over-reliance on energy in the building and transport sectors, AC-dependent installations and the trend towards private cars have further complicated the situation. The impact of which is more on villages and poor people.
Highlighting the need for rapid transformation in alternative energy and efficient urban management, Professor Adil Muhammad Khan said that there is no opportunity to see the city, energy, transport and infrastructure sectors separately in terms of planning. Lacking a coherent policy framework among them, development activities are often fragmented and ineffective. He urged to make energy impact assessment mandatory for any infrastructure and building, implement green building code (environmentally friendly policy). At the same time, he emphasized on strengthening the transportation of goods by rail and sea and increasing the use of alternative energy in the rural economy.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Integrated urban-rural planning, use of renewable energy, expansion of public transport and development of energy-efficient infrastructure are emphasized as solutions. He also warned that if these steps are not taken, the impact of global energy instability will have a deeper impact on Bangladesh.
In the dialogue, President of Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) Muhammad Ariful Islam said that due to the global energy crisis and import dependence, the urban and rural life systems of Bangladesh are facing deep inequality. Not considering energy and urban-planning in an integrated manner has increased pressure on cities. As a result, rural-to-urban migration has exacerbated energy dependence and infrastructural crisis. He also pointed out that cities, villages and seas should be brought together in a unified framework through national spatial planning to build a humane and sustainable Bangladesh.
Communication researcher Sajedul Haque said that due to the failure of the public transport system, the pressure on private vehicles and electric rickshaws is increasing. The government agency BRTC and the bus rationalization scheme also did not yield the desired results. Urban planning, transport and energy policies are being looked at separately. As a result, the crisis is deepening. He also commented that no technology or project will be sustainable without changes in social behavior and policy readiness.
IPD Research Fellow Farhadur Reza said that in the current global context, the building sector is one of the largest energy consuming sectors. About 45 to 50 percent of the total energy consumption in the world and more than 40 percent of energy in urban areas in Bangladesh is used only in the building sector. In this situation, the concept of energy efficient and green building is the need of the hour. According to him, green building is not only energy saving, but also an integrated structure to reduce light-ventilation, water consumption, operational costs and overall environmental impact.
Various proposals were highlighted in the dialogue emphasizing on urbanisation, regional and rural development and taking integrated and multi-dimensional measures to tackle the energy crisis. These include improving public transport, mixed land use, expanding blue-green infrastructure and mandating passive design and green building. So that the demand for transportation and dependence on electricity is reduced. At the same time, it has been recommended to make decentralized solar power system at regional and rural level, solar irrigation and energy conversion in agriculture, energy-efficient technology in small and medium industries, rail-based transport and cold chain expansion and mandatory energy impact assessment in development projects.
Jahangirnagar University Professor Shammi Akhtar, IPD Research Fellow Asif Iqbal, Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust (WBB) Executive Director Gaus Peary, among others spoke in the dialogue.
Source: Prothom Alo Bangla
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