On 30 May 2013, “Improving the pedestrian environment in Dhaka: steps forward”  took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh.   The workshop was jointly organized by Asian Development Bank (ADB), Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Gazipur City Corporation (GCC), HealthBridge-Canada, and Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust.

Communication Minister Obaidul Quader MP who addressed the audience said about half of all victims of road fatalities are pedestrian. In addition to non-compliance of law by drivers pedestrian’s lack of awareness is also responsible for fatalities. Besides, lack of pedestrian-friendly wide and parallel footpath, illegal parking on footpaths, lack of sufficient zebra-crossing are also responsible for occurrence of road fatalities. We are active in enacting necessary law and ensured law compliance, framing infrastructure and creating awareness about it.  Minister Obaidul Quader MP also stated that walking is duly stressed in all developed cities for improved communication facilitates. We are also going forward step by step. At present ADB initiative of making Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) from Shajalal International Airport, walking at corridor, smooth movement for cycle and rickshaw is very efficient and scientific. BRT will ease movement for the users; the pedestrian will also be benefited from it.        

Technical session of the workshop was held from 11.00 AM to 1.00 PM. This session was chaired and moderated by Dr. Sarwar Jahan, Professor of Urban and Rural Planning Department of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. Debra Efroymson presented a key note on “Problems of Dhaka Pedestrian; Action Plan” and “Shajalal Avenue; a Pedestrian-friendly model” was also presented. LIoyd Wright, Senior Transportation Expert of ADB presented note on “Necessity of modernization of cycle, rickshaw and non-motorized vehicles”. A note on “Cycling” was presented by Bradley Schroeder, NMT Specialist of ADB.

Speakers:

Saifuddin Ahmed, Executive Director, WBB Trust (Program Chair)

Md. Wahidur Rahman, Chief Engineer, Local Government Engineering Department (LGED)

Sha Kamal (Assistant Secretary), Administrator, Gazipur City Corporation (GCC)

Debra Efroymson, Regional Director, HealthBridge-Canada

David Margonsztern, Urban Development Specialist (Transport), Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Moderator:

Aminul Islam Sujon, Project Coordinator, WBB Trust

For more details, please see minutes from the workhop.