The Advisory Committee on the Review of the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) 2022-2035 has granted in-principle approval to a series of amendment proposals, paving the way for an updated urban framework for Dhaka's future growth.
The revised DAP, along with the draft Dhaka Metropolitan Building Construction Regulations, is expected to be published in the government gazette shortly.
The decision came on Sunday, October 19, at a meeting held at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, chaired by Ali Imam Majumder, Adviser to the Ministry of Land. The committee reviewed key provisions concerning floor area ratio (FAR), population density, flood flow zones, and agricultural land protection, approving amendments that prioritise environmental sensitivity and sustainable urbanisation.
According to the Housing and Public Works Ministry, FAR and population density limits will be increased in most of the areas under RAJUK's jurisdiction, allowing for more flexible urban development.
Construction on farmland prohibited, flood zones redefined
The amendment also revokes previous permissions allowing limited urban services on agricultural land, a move aimed at preserving Dhaka's remaining green and food-producing spaces.
Additionally, the earlier categorisation of "main watercourse" and "general watercourse" in the DAP has now been merged into a single 'flood flow zone', where all types of construction will be strictly prohibited. Officials said this measure is designed to improve water retention capacity and reduce the city's chronic flooding risks.
To encourage modern urban planning models, incentives for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), regeneration projects, and block-based development have also been recommended.
Updated building regulations aligned with modern codes
The draft Dhaka Metropolitan Building Construction Regulations have been aligned with the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) 2020 and the revised DAP to reflect the country's evolving urban landscape.
Amendments have been made to address deviations in building design and planning - such as setbacks, land coverage, excess void space, and population density controls - to ensure compliance with contemporary construction standards.
To improve safety and disaster resilience, approval of structural and engineering designs will now be mandatory alongside architectural plans before any construction begins.
Streamlined approvals and green incentives
In a bid to reduce bureaucratic delays and public harassment, developers will no longer require additional approval for large or special projects once construction recommendations are issued. Instead, they will need to submit the approval fee after receiving the recommendation.
Moreover, installation of a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) has been made mandatory for plots measuring five kathas or more. The new framework also introduces green building incentives, the formation of an appeals committee, and simplified approval procedures aimed at making Dhaka's construction sector more transparent and efficient.
Broad-based consultation and final review
The final draft of the amendment was prepared after around 35 stakeholder meetings involving key ministries, experts, and civil society representatives.
Sunday's meeting was attended by Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources; Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; and Adilur Rahman Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works.
Senior secretaries and officials from the Ministries of Land, Environment, Local Government, Railways, Law, and Bridges, along with RAJUK Chairman Md Riazul Islam, were also present.
Earlier in March 2025, the committee had asked for a re-examination of the proposed amendments. Following months of inter-ministerial consultations, the updated version - focusing on environmental safeguards, urban density, and flood resilience - has now been given the go-ahead.