In the 1,528-square-kilometer area under the jurisdiction of the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK), about 2.2 million buildings exist, of which 2.1 million stand on weak foundations.
Building codes were not followed in constructing these structures. RAJUK-approved designs were ignored, and many buildings were built according to outdated plans. Even 37 percent of newly constructed government buildings have been identified as risky.
According to RAJUK statistics, of the 2.1 million buildings, 1.5 million are two stories or less. These face relatively lower risk of major damage.
But the remaining 600,000 buildings, ranging from four to thirty stories, are at high risk. Urban planners warn that a major earthquake could cause catastrophic devastation in the capital.
In the past two days, the country has experienced three earthquakes. After the latest tremor in Dhaka, concerns over building safety have increased. RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam said that all risky buildings in Dhaka will be identified quickly and necessary steps will be taken.
He said this to reporters on Saturday after inspecting various buildings in Bangshal. The RAJUK chairman said, “Most buildings in Old Dhaka are risky. In many places, six- to seven-story buildings have been constructed on plots smaller than one katha without any planning.”
In response to a question from journalists in Mirpur on Friday, environmental adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said that nearly 90 percent of old buildings in Dhaka were built without following building codes.
Engineering solutions and risk-reduction measures for these structures are urgently needed. She added, “The recent earthquakes are a clear warning for us. Dhaka, especially Old Dhaka, is now at the highest level of risk.”
Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, “In the past five years, we have never felt an earthquake as strongly as we did on Friday. Repeated warnings are being given—we must prepare now.”
A survey conducted on buildings under the Dhaka North and South City Corporations shows that most structures were built 20 to 30 years ago. In many places, the quality of steel and cement was not controlled; elsewhere, extra floors were added beyond approved designs. Urban planners believe that even minor tremors could damage such buildings.
A professor from Dhaka University’s Department of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience said that many multi-storied buildings across the capital were built in an unplanned manner and are extremely risky.
He also noted that soil conditions in many parts of Dhaka are unsuitable for high-rise construction. Moreover, developers are not following RAJUK’s building codes, and many unauthorized buildings are being constructed, increasing the danger.
In addition, many buildings lack earthquake-resistant designs, proper safety zones, or open spaces. Narrow alleys, high-rise structures, and unplanned electrical and gas connections further increase the risk of major fires.
Whenever an earthquake or major fire occurs, the issue of risky buildings in Dhaka comes to public attention. Although authorities become active after casualties, the issue fades again after some time.
According to RAJUK data, 74 percent of buildings in the city were constructed without approved designs. On the other hand, even though directives exist to demolish listed risky buildings, implementation has not taken place.
A recent seminar organized by the Safety Awareness Foundation stated that 2,146,000 buildings in Dhaka are risky due to noncompliance with RAJUK regulations. These buildings could become “death traps” during an earthquake.
A survey conducted under the Urban Resilience Project (RAJUK portion), with World Bank support, identified 37 percent of newly constructed government buildings in Dhaka as risky.
These include a new 17-story building at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (PG Hospital) and numerous educational institutions. Architects and urban planners say, “In 13 percent of Dhaka’s land area, no type of building should be constructed, yet buildings are being built.
This is increasing the number of risky structures in Dhaka. Instead of removing hazardous buildings, new ones are being constructed. As a result, living in Dhaka has become increasingly dangerous.”
