On-going Projects



Name of the project: Building Code Implementation and Enforcement Strategy for Urban Resilience Unit (URU)
Client: RAJUK funded by World Bank
Duration: 36 Months

The objective of this engagement is to build the capacities and administtrative structure for RAJUK to implement and enforce the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC), and to the provisions of the Structure Plans and Detailed Area Plans (DAPs) and to building field inspection and ccontrols.

The scope of the services:

This engagement aims to outline and develop practical steps, strategies and feasiblity with RAJUK to improve the enforcement process and to ensure timely resoution of cases. Resolution plans which create an overall stepwise timeline for resolving the various enforcement cases shall be developed.

There are Three main Task of this project:

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Task 1: Situational Analysis



Prepare an initial assessment on various code enforcement violations and resolutin invlving these cases in RAJUK jurisdiction to cover structural and building code, housing code, city/municipal code, occupancy and zoing violations, nuisance violations, other related violations and their sub-types.
Investigate the various status of enforcement cases (e.g. complaints, notice of violations, resolution plan, notices and orders, legal action and case resolutions by planning and building divisions, and other authorities).
Submit a final Situational Report completely taking into consideration the input from the stakeholders as a deliverable of the project.
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Task 2: Concept Note



Research to document other models of Building Code implementation and enforcement in both developed and developing countries, and to assess their potential adaptation to Bangladesh.
Review policies to identify strengths, weaknesses (and gaps), opportunities and challenges for strategic and successful BNBC implementatio. The current legal and administrative procedures for addressing violations and enforcement of building code and zoning will also be assessed.
Investigate incentives for enforcement from both the public and private sector.
Address two aspects of Building Code implementation and enforcement that have often been cited as major impediments: a) The weakness in the legislative framework; and b) The lack of competent resources. Specific approaches on how to resolve these issues should be provided.
Provide a Draft Concept Note defining the relevant parameters for Building Code implementation and enforcement by RAJUK wihin the relevany international context.
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Task 3: Proposed Program for Enforcement of Building Codes and Construction Control Regulation

Extent the elements developed in the Concept Note into proposed model for enforcement of building codes and construction control regulation for RAJUK. It includes the development of the parameters (legal, administrative, technical, and logistical) for a transparent, rigorous, building code implementation and enforcement.
Potential institutional and/or organizational changes to create and enabling environment for Building Code implementation and enforcement should be explained and rationalized. Similarly incentive programs should be suggested. In terms of human resource capacity, specific training and capacity programs for building s and engineers should be provided and their costs and delivery mechanisms specified.
Outline and develop practical steps, strategies and feasibility with RAJUK to improve the enforcement process and to ensure timely resolution of cases. Resolution plans which create an overall and step-wise timeline for resolving the various enforcement cases shall be developed.
Validate the proposed enforcement model and related interventions with the relevant stakeholders (i.e. PWG), RAJUK leadership and the MoHPW to ensure viability susceptibility and efficient implementation. Based on the input and comments from the validation process, the consultant will finalize the proposed enforcement program.

Name of the project: Vulnerability Assessment and Prioritized Investment Plan for critical assets

Client: RAJUK funded by World Bank

Duration: 36 Months

The assignment of this project is to develop the consensus-driven analytical foundation required for longer-term investments to reduce risk in the built environment of Dhaka. It will concentrate on two main activities:

  1. assessment of the vulnerability and risk of the built environment (including city extensions) in greater Dhaka to earthquakes and floods, focusing on essential and critical facilities, lifelines and infrastructure by means of microzoning studies; and
  2. Development of a prioritized list of retrofitting and rehabilitation investments to strengthen critical facilities for the critical facilities lifelines and infrastructure in the transport, water and public building sectors.

There are Three main Stage of this project:

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Stage 1: Preparation and Data Collection

Organization of stakeholders to form a Project Working Group (PWG) and a Project Oversight Committee (POC)
Exposure data collection including documents research and ground truthing to determine actual field conditions and collecting missing data (e.g., exact locations, building characteristics, etc.)
Hazards data collection (flood and earthquake)
Complete list and database of the all critical infrastructure, superstructures and lifelines described in the scope of the services
Collection of satellite imagery and development of urban characteristics patterns
Development of proxies for missing data
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Stage 2: Survey for vulnerability and risk assessment

Review risk assessment and prioritization studies done by other countries or cities abroad which have similar earthquake risk, geographic or demographic conditions or any such countries or cities that might set an example for the purposes of this assignment.
Provide type of data needed to apply any such prioritization methodologies and assess the availability of any such data
Examine if the current hazard maps are sufficient in detail and in scale, if data on ground and building characteristics are readily available
Review of all retrofitting activities and budget allocations in the last five years, including the sectoral and geographical breakdown.
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Stage 3: Design of long term vulnerability reduction investment plan and related Dhaka Urban Resilience Strategy

Development of a prioritized list of retrofitting and rehabilitation investments to strengthen critical facilities for the critical facilities lifelines and infrastructure in the transport, water and public building sectors
Presentations and workshops with PWG, POC and other relevant stakeholders
Consultations with various agencies and relevant stakeholders on interpretation of risk outputs and indicators on exposure to risk
Development of options for risk reduction and for achieving long term urban resilience in Dhaka


Name of the project: Development of Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning practice

Client: RAJUK

Duration: 36 Months

The objective is to review, enrich and strengthen the current planning regulation, process, and methods of RAJUK, to ensure that DAP (2016-2035) and DAPs are risk-sensitive and to improve ownership for consultation, learning and consensus building within RAJUK and other agencies involved in the land-use planning process of Dhaka.

Four main goals to be completed and the deliverables at this stage are: 1)SEA Report and Guideline, 2) Organization of the Project; 3) Creation of Project Knowledge Base; and 4) Conduct a situation analysis and diagnosis of the urban planning and development context of Dhaka. It involves the following activities:

  1. SEA Report and Guideline,
  2. Organization of the Project;
  3. Creation of Project Knowledge Base; and
  4. Conduct a situation analysis and diagnosis of the urban planning and development context of Dhaka.

There are Three main Stage of this project:

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Stage 1: Carrying out/Updating a Strategic Environmental Assessment, Project Organization, Data Collection, and Situation Analysis (Approximate duration 10 months

Development of SEA Report for Greater Dhaka Metropolitan Development Plan
Environmental Overview and Priorities
Stakeholder Analysis
Public Participation in the SEA process
Assessment of Environmental Effects
Review of Alternatives
Institutional, Financial, Governance and Monitoring Plan
Dissemination
Project Organization
Planning Knowledge Base
Situational Analysis and Diagnosis of the Current Planning and Development Context
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Stage 2: Development of the internal guidelines and processes for RSLUP to upgrade reform the current planning system (Approximate Duration 17 months)

Coordinate with Component B1 of the Bangladesh Urban Resilience Project to project the latest findings on risk profiles to Dhaka and to highlight the use of quantities such as Urban Resilience Indicators for Dhaka and Hotspots information indicating ward and other relevant geo-administrative units
Conduct a comprehensive study to assess implications of hazards, vulnerabilities and risks on the current regional boundary .
Conduct a comprehensive study on a city wide geotechnical and geological investigation for the purposes of microzonation
Conduct detailed Geotechnical Study (including all field and all laboratory tests) by means of Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) (rotary drill with hydraulic arrangement) with Standard Automatic Hammer
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Stage 3: Training and Capacity Building for risk-sensitive planning (Approximate duration 9 months)


Training and Capacity Building for risk-sensitive planning (Approximate duration 9 months)
Development of How-to guides with step-by-step approach and ample illustrations and examples aimed at helping/guiding planners in other cities and pourashavas to understand and strengthen the earthquake risk sensitivity of their physical development plans.
Develop the modules, references and training programs for RSLUP in partnership with a Bangladesh academic institution offering having an Urban and Regional Planning Graduate Degree Program.
Identify practitioners and researchers who will undertake RSLUP training, field work exercises and site-visits.
Improve Monitoring and Evaluation focusing on tool development, internal exchanges and partner mobilization