then East Pakistan, vide memo no. 464E, dated, Dhaka, July 17, 1965. Functions allocated to the directorate were enhanced in the year 1983, by the Martial Law Committee on Organizational set up, headed by Brigadier Enamul Haque Khan which was approved by the Review Committee, headed by Major General Atiqur Rahman. The functions as listed below are:
To advise the Government on matters of policy relating to urbanization, land use and land development. To prepare and co-ordinate regional plans, master plans and detailed layout and site plans for the existing as well as the new urban centres excluding the areas covered by the present town development authorities of Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna and Rajshahi. To undertake socio-economic research and collection of data for determination of the location and pattern of future urban development. To prepare programmes for urban development for ex*****on by the sectoral agencies and secure approval of those from the National Council and assist the agencies in selection of sites for implementation of those programmes. To act as a counterpart organisation and focal point in the Government for all internationally aided physical planning and human settlement programmes in the country. To organise seminars/workshops for creating better physical planning awareness and to disseminate information through regular publication of the research and planning materials on urbanization and human settlement planning and development. To conduct in-service training of the officers and staff of organisations involved in spatial planning and development. To advise the existing urban development authorities on their operations at their request. Past Achivements:
In the recent past, UDD has completed several projects and prepared numerous reports which are stated below:
a. Urban Housing Policy and Program Development (First Phase), assisted by UNDP (1978-1981);
b. National Physical Planning Project (First Phase), assisted by UNDP (1978-1982);
c. Draft Physical Planning (Landuse) and Development Control Ordinance in it’s Land Policy Context (January, 1983);
d. National Physical Planning Project (First Phase), assisted by UNDP, UNCHS (1983-1987);
e. Urban Housing Policy and Program Development (Second Phase), assisted by UNDP and UNCHS (1984-1986);
f. Preparation of Land Use Master Plan of 392 Pourashavas (1984-1991);
g. Preparation of Structure Plan, Urban Area Plan and Detailed Area Development Plan of 50 (Fifty) District Towns (1984-1991);
h. Physical Planning (Landuse) and Development Control Ordinance (March 1985);
i. Final Report on Physical Planning Legislations (September, 1985);
j. Housing Sector Institutional Strengthening Project, assisted by ADB (1992-1993);
k. Housing Sector Institutional Strengthening Project, assisted by ADB (1992-1993);
l. Preparation of Bangladesh National Report on Human Settlement (UN-HABITAT) (1996);
m. Preparation of Bangladesh Country Report on Urban Indicators (2001);
n. Preparation of Landuse Master Plan of 08 (Eight) Pourashavas (2004-2008).
