Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has stressed that making a ‘green building’ policy mandatory in government infrastructure projects is essential for building sustainable and livable cities. Speaking at a workshop on “Green Building” organised by the Department of Environment (DoE) in Dhaka on Sunday, she said that once the government ensures compliance in its own projects, the private sector will naturally follow.
Hasan explained that green buildings are not defined by color or certification alone, but by the integration of eco-friendly ideas and technologies at every stage of design, construction, management, and maintenance. She highlighted that sustainable buildings are crucial for protecting Dhaka’s canals and rivers, reducing waste and noise pollution, and controlling urban temperatures to improve the city’s environment.
She called for the adoption of specific measures such as rooftop solar power, rainwater harvesting, and maximizing natural light and ventilation. To ensure proper implementation, Rizwana proposed the creation of a “Green Building Council” that would include representatives from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Department of Environment, Housing and Building Research Institute (HBRI), Local Government Division, and other relevant agencies.
The proposed council would be tasked with setting standards, updating laws, and monitoring compliance to ensure that green building practices are embedded into both public and private sector projects.
The workshop was attended by key policymakers and officials, including Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md Riazul Islam, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department Md Khalekuzzaman Chowdhury, and Additional Director General of DoE Md Ziaul Haque, alongside engineers, architects, and researchers.
Hasan’s remarks underscore the growing urgency of adopting sustainable building practices in Bangladesh, where rapid urbanization has placed immense pressure on natural resources and city infrastructure. By mandating green building policies in government projects, she argued, the country can set a precedent for the private sector and move toward a more resilient and environmentally responsible urban future.
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