City Management is technologically backward. In this day of instant communication and limitless information, Dhaka City Corporation still use the “Balam Book” to keep records and information. Eventually, with the passage of time, this information becomes lost and irretrievable.

The City Corporation must use Information Technology to bring the City Corporation into the 21st century. Only wider use and application of information systems and an infusion of modern technology can bring efficiency, effectiveness and transformation in city services. In the present system there is no proper computerized inventory, history of corporation lands and infrastructures (roads, footpaths, bridges etc.) or equipment, which results in very poor maintenance and management. As there is no computer database, the concerned authority cannot control or monitor frequent maintenance. In order to meet the above demands, a Geographic Information System (GIS) based infrastructure database must be developed.

In addition, the mayor has to take an immediate initiative to automate the City Corporation establishment as a whole and use information systems and technology to:

• Modernize and redefine each department’s task formulation and output or results
• Restructure connections within the departments
• Restructure connections between the departments and their respective functions
• Redesign the working processes for managing the departmental functions
• Analyse data to implement more effective policies
• Communicate faster and better within the corporation as well as with city dwellers
• Better manage and monitor the finances, assets and inventory
• Restore financial discipline of the corporation through the application of information systems
• Make realistic and information based plans
• Establish transparency in the functionalities
• Reduce, eliminate errors and corruption in the revenue earning and service delivery system
• Improve the quality of service

In order to meet the abovementioned demands, a municipal or metropolitan area network should be established between the corporation head office, zonal offices and other concerned government agencies. A provision for direct interaction should be established between the city dwellers and concerned departments of the corporation. Online service delivery and financial transactions should be introduced.