On September 26, 2023, an agreement was finalized between Cox’s Bazar Development Authority (CoxDA) and Construction Supervision Consultant (CSC) for the appointment of a consulting firm to oversee the survey project titled “Preparation of Cox’s Bazar District Master Plan (1st Revised).”
Celltron EMS Limited and Ehsan Khan Architects will serve as associate companies of Construction Supervision Consultants (CSC) for this project. The signing ceremony witnessed the presence of key representatives from CoxDA, including Commodore Mohammed Nurul Absar, NGP, ndc, psc, BN (Retd), Lt. Col. Md. Khijir Khan, and Lt. Col. Tahsin Bin Alam, psc. Additionally, Mr. Md. Tanveer Hasan Rezaul, the project director of the survey project, “Cox’s Bazar District Master Plan Formulation (1st Revised),” along with other officials and employees of the authority, were in attendance. Representing the CSC were Brigadier General Abdullah-Al-Mamun, Director (Planning and Construction), and Lt. Col. Sadek Mahmood, the project director for the survey project. Sheikh Mohammad Fauzul Mubin and Architect Ehsan Khan were also present representing the associate companies.
The scope of the project encompasses eight upazilas within Cox’s Bazar district, including Chakaria, Pekua, Kutubdia, Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ramu, Ukhia, and Teknaf. It spans a total area of 690.67 square kilometers, encompassing the beach area, and includes the development of a Detailed Area Plan (DAP) for this region. Furthermore, it involves the formulation of a comprehensive master plan for the entire Cox’s Bazar district, covering an area of 2491.83 square kilometers. This master plan aims to facilitate rational land use, establish a modern and attractive tourist town in Cox’s Bazar and its surrounding areas, and regulate planned development while preventing unplanned growth.
The project received approval from the Planning Commission on December 27, 2022, with a total budget of Tk 174.72 crore. Administrative approval was granted by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works on January 12, 2023. The Cabinet Committee on Procurement approved the appointment of the Bangladesh Army’s Construction Supervision Consultant (CSC) as the consulting firm for the Cox’s Bazar Development Authority on August 16, 2023. The project’s implementation is scheduled from April 2021 to June 2025.
The overarching objective of the survey project, “Cox’s Bazar District Master Plan Preparation (1st Revised),” is to promote the responsible use of land, create a modern and internationally appealing tourist destination in Cox’s Bazar, and ensure well-planned development. It addresses various aspects such as sustainable transportation, traffic management, environmental preservation, and disaster management, among others.
The Cox’s Bazar Development Authority Area Master Plan (2023-2043) comprises several components, each defined by the Cox’s Bazar Development Authority (CoxDA). These components encompass a Strategic Plan, Detailed Area Plans for all upazilas and the beach area within Cox’s Bazar District, Land Use Plan, Tourism Development Plan, and Sectoral Plans. The Sectoral Plans include Action Area Plan, Transport Plan, Risk-Sensitive Land Use Plan, Regional Development Plan, Drainage and Sanitation Management Plan, Emergency Crisis Management Plan, Disaster Management Plan, RSMAT City Model for Cox’s Bazar, New Town Development Plan, Environment Management Plan, and Utility and Socio-Social Development Plan (covering gas, electricity, water supply, rehabilitation, housing, and open space/recreation).
Bangladesh faces some of the world’s highest population density and growth rates. Currently, over 30% of the country’s population resides in urban areas, a figure expected to surge to nearly 50% by 2050. Cox’s Bazar is experiencing substantial demand for land to support diverse development initiatives. Unfortunately, the absence of a comprehensive development plan has resulted in haphazard and unregulated growth. A master plan is essential to harmonize the ambitions of both the government and the public. The more closely these collective visions align, the more feasible and attainable the plan becomes.
This master plan serves as a potent instrument for fostering economic opportunities and overall development, while also mitigating potential conflicts among different stakeholders throughout its execution. Furthermore, this master plan extends beyond merely imposing regulations governing land use, water resources, land area, height limitations, and land parcel distribution. It also encompasses significant endeavors such as Mega Projects, the Eighth Five-Year Plan (FY 2020-2025), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Sunil Economy initiative, Rupkalp-2041, and the coordination of island planning.
The formulation of a public-friendly master plan, with the active involvement of stakeholders and the local community, is crucial for the sustainable development and revitalization of Cox’s Bazar as a planned city and a tourist destination. This master plan will serve as a powerful tool for economic opportunity creation, conflict prevention during implementation, and the enhancement of tourism, ultimately contributing to the nation’s socio-economic development.
Furthermore, the master plan opens avenues for significant foreign exchange earnings through tourism development. It aligns with the vision of a self-reliant, smart Bangladesh, reflecting the dreams of Bangabandhu and the visionary steps of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Ultimately, it aims to establish a model of a “Sustainable Tourism City” that can serve as a beacon for others to emulate. to prevent land erosion.
