Feature

Planning Students' Convention 2008

Ananya Senjuti

I remember it was in last December that my friends Abir and Mithun gave me the responsibility of writing an application to our head seeking the permission for arranging a 'Planning Students' convention.' When we were assured that our discipline is with us, we, the students of Urban & Rural Planning Discipline of Khulna University, started the journey to fulfill our long cherished dream. For the last 5 months, the students struggled hard to arrange the 1st Planning Students' Convention in Khulna University, jointly organized by Urban & Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University & Bangladesh Institute of Planners. The 'planning students' from BUET & JU also participated in this program.

The theme of the convention was “Environment & Urban Development” which is one of the prime concerns of planners. The students from KU, BUET and JU submitted papers. The main aim of the convention was to promote a platform for co-operation between the young students of Planning in Bangladesh. The convention will thus provide activities to foster closer co-operation and better understanding among students of urban planning of Bangladesh, particularly by encouraging exchange of information; stimulating mutual aid in the planning arenas for cultural, educational and social purposes; encouraging the exchange of ideas and opinions; improving the relationships among planning students of Bangladesh; working together on issues affecting people and their environment.

The honorable chairman of University Grants Commission, Professor Nazrul Islam was present as the chief guest of the planning students' convention. Professor Dr. Saifuddin Shah, the Honorable Vice-chancellor of KU was the special guest. Professor Dr. Golam Rahman, ex-vice chancellor of KU; Prof. Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam, Dean of SET School of KU; Prof. Dr. Sarwar Jahan, President of Bangladesh Institute of Planners; Prof. Dr. Roxana Hafiz, Head of Urban & Regional Planning Dept., BUET and Dr. A.K.M. Abul Kalam, Head of Urban & Regional Planning Dept., JU, were also present in the program. Prof. Dr. Md. Ashraful Alam, Head of Urban & Rural Planning Discipline, KU was the chair of the inaugural session.

A souvenir was published on the occasion comprising of the papers from the students of KU, BUET & JU. The two articles of Bangladesh University Of Engineering And Technology covered two different issues. One emphasizes the “On Site Slum Upgrading program” and the other focuses on “Buriganga Pollution”. The selected articles from Jahangirnagar University are based on the comprehensive development of Rangamati Pouroshava and the impact of increasing car ownership on peak traffic volume in Dhaka.

The topics of the articles published from Khulna University students are (i) Vulnerability of Bangladeshi Cities to Climate Change and Future Challenges for Urban Planning and Development and (ii) Revitalization of Railway Market. It was an attempt to share the works and experiences of teachers, students and experts in the planning profession.

The day long program featured speeches of the guests, presentation on planning education & planning profession by Prof. Dr. Akter Hossain Chaudhury, paper presentations by planning students and evaluation by experts, open discussion by experts, presentations by the members of Khulna University Planners Alumni (KUPA) and exhibition of projects prepared by the students. The program ended with a cultural program arranged by the students of KU.

I would like to end with a saying of Peter B. Meyer, Professor Emeritus of Urban Policy and Economics, University of Louisville, USA - “…..You and your colleagues taught me more than I thought I could learn about planning practice and environmental issues in the Khulna region…”

An interview of Prof. Dr. Md. Ashraful Alam, Head of the Discipline, Urban & Rural Planning Discipline of KU is given below:-

What were your thoughts about planning students' convention 2008 at the very beginning?

I think that interactions among the students of Urban Planning of Bangladesh will develop after arranging this convention. I also expect that the planning profession to be highlighted throughout the country and foreign countries as well.

What are the impacts do you think the convention will have among the planning students' of Bangladesh?

They will be able to understand their own curriculum and performance in the field of URPD and they can also compare their academic status from the URP graduates of the three universities.

Do you think that the knowledge gap among planning students about planning education and profession will be minimized after this event?

According to the need of the country, the students presented their research papers, which reflect the direction of planning activities. It also helped to create new scope to prepare the syllabus that is very much needed for the country. Some senior professionals, teachers of URP discipline gave suggestions to create new fields for planners and their scope of work in various organizations. Thus, the information gap is reduced a lot.

What are your suggestions for organising this type of program in the future?

I hope that other planning institutions like BUET and JU will arrange this type of program in the future too. I hope that Khulna University will arrange a Students' Reunion next time through which we can share field level knowledge from each student of URP.

In this occasion, the Convener of Planning Students' Convention and Associate Professor of Khulna University A. H. M Mehbub Anwar shared his views about this convention.

The theme of this convention is “Environment and Urban Development”? What is the significance of this theme and how is it being addressed in the convention?

At present, one of the most vital emerging issues is “Sustainable Cities”. As planners we have a dream to have “sustainable cites”. For that purpose, we need to consider the environmental and contemporary urban development issues and strategies. In this convention, the present planning students of different disciplines of Bangladesh have presented and shared their works and experiences, which are related to environment and urban development towards sustainable cities.

It is a difficult job to be the convener of 1st Planning Students' convention, as you had to manage everything. How and when will you consider it as a success?

In December 2007, some of my students came to me and shared their interests to organize a “Planning Students' Convention 2008”.

I was actually very happy to know that my students want to take such an initiative. As a convener, I gave my best efforts. At the same time, I have got the support from every corner such as, University Grants Commission, Urban and Rural Planning Discipline of Khulna University, Khulna University authorities, Bangladesh Institute of Planners, Urban and Regional Planning of BUET and Jahangirnagar University and relevant professional organizations. It would have not been possible for me to complete this convention without their compassion and support.

However, the aim of this convention is to share the works and experience on new and innovative environmental management policies and approaches for urban development, as well as to provide a platform for discussing and presenting new methods, tools and technologies. By reviewing the extent of environmental problems in urban development and current management practices, the convention aims to identify the areas of the most pronounced priorities and to provide an input in the arena of urban planning. If the vision and mission of this convention is helpful for our nation, then our convention is successful.

-What impression will the convention leave among the planning students as well as planners?

When some knowledgable persons sit together and discuss widely it is certain that good suggestions and recommendations will be addressed to solve the emerging issues. Planning Students' Convention is the large gathering of planning students as well as planners and professionals where these intellectual people exchanged and shared their views and experiences. So, as an outcome of this convention, the new strategies, policies, direction, tools, techniques etc, which are contemporary to the environment and urban development, have been shared with the participants. So, from this convention the future planners will get an appropriate direction how the urban environment can ensure the better and secure life for the residents.

-What are your suggestions for carrying this type of program that address planning issues in future?

This type of program is very important for the planning students. Bangladesh is a developing country. Over-population and recurring natural disasters often inhibit the efforts for development. Urban planners can play a vital role in ensuring environmentally sound development in the urban area. Each year either natural disaster or man-made disaster occur in our country and hamper our sustainable development practices and damage many national properties. On the other hand, haphazard development occurs due to lack of proper knowledge of urban management. Basically we are depended on urban planning for better urban environment and fresh living environment. In order to keep our knowledge up-to-date, this sort of convention helps the planning students to give the appropriate direction to efficient urban management.