If the face is the mirror of a person’s character, the capital city is perhaps the mirror of a nation’s character. The collective hopes of a nation are reflected in the management of its capital city. For an immensely homogeneous nation such as Bangladesh, this so is particular. Parochial problems and ecological peculiarities apart, the nation’s men and women and all their novel ideas tend to gather around the capital city for interaction and an opportunity to express themselves. Yet the nation has been very negligent and has patently failed in managing Dhaka’s problems.

In the context of socio-economic development, the capital city of any country should indeed be its showcase. Ordinary citizens, tourists, local investors, foreign investors, diplomats and diplomatic visitors all look at the capital city to determine the social, cultural, political and economic condition of the nation. The condition of the capital city also allows citizens and visitors to gauge its present and to visualize the future. If the nation does not have the ability to administer the capital city, to ensure a peaceful living space, maintain law and order, reduce pollution and provide basic services such as water, telephone, electricity, gas, etc., then it follows that it lacks the ability to provide these same services to the country as a whole. Therefore, the improvement of a nation’s image has to start from the capital city.

Unfortunately, life in the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka, a historic city of considerable charm, has become unbearable. There is no sign of sustained improvement anywhere. There has been inadequate planning for expansion and modernization commensurate with requirements of the growing number of state institutions. The city has to cope with the pressures of a steady urban influx from the countryside. Nor has the City Corporation been particularly careful about conservation of the city’s historical heritage and natural environment. Of late, the civic amenities in the city have suffered a sharp deterioration. Public health and safety hazards have assumed disastrous proportions. The city environment has developed a slum character. Something must be done for our children to be able to continue living in this city. The problems of Dhaka City have become a matter of deep concern to residents of the city, as well as to all Bangladeshi citizens. Therefore, the city must be rebuilt, reshaped by a renewed city administration which will improve city life by initiating structural changes.