Leading engineers, architects and disaster-management professionals have urged Bangladesh to prioritise the protection of its critical infrastructure to ensure that essential services remain operational during major natural disasters, particularly earthquakes. Their call comes amid growing concern over the structural vulnerability of key buildings in Dhaka and other major cities, as well as the absence of comprehensive emergency preparedness plans.
Speaking at a seminar titled “Earthquake: Reality, Perception, Awareness and Strategic Preparedness Through Action”, held at the Institute of Architects Bangladesh in Agargaon, Dhaka, experts outlined urgent measures needed to minimise casualties and maintain governance during a crisis.
Professor Dr Shamim Z Basunia, a distinguished structural engineer, began by addressing public fears. He explained that the real danger arises not from the inevitability of earthquakes but from poor construction practices. “There is no cause for panic if qualified structural engineers do their job correctly and if proper supervision is maintained throughout the construction process,” he said. He noted that compliance failures—not a lack of knowledge—pose the greatest risk.
Former Chief Architect Kazi Golam Nasir cautioned that vital facilities such as the Secretariat, hospitals, and fire service stations must be safeguarded at all costs. “If these buildings fail, the entire disaster response system collapses,” he warned. He urged authorities to conduct phased assessments of these buildings’ structural integrity, particularly their seismic tolerance. He also emphasised widening narrow roads to prevent bottlenecks during emergency rescue operations.
Highlighting the dual threat of earthquakes and fires, he recommended relocating gas-line control systems outside buildings to reduce the risk of explosions. He further stressed the importance of quality control in construction materials and strict enforcement of building codes.
Drawing on international examples, BUET academic Patrick D’Rozario referenced Japan’s resilience during earthquakes and tsunamis. “Even when surrounding buildings collapsed, their disaster management centres remained operational,” he said. He insisted that Bangladesh’s hospitals and government buildings must be capable of functioning as command centres in the aftermath of a disaster. He also reminded participants that the national building code contains specific provisions for hospital infrastructure that must be enforced.
From the operational front, Colonel Tajul Islam of the Fire Service and Civil Defence emphasised the immediate need for identifying high-risk buildings, allocating open spaces for safe public assembly, and mapping hazardous chemical storage areas. “If we wish to minimise casualties, nationwide awareness drills must begin without delay,” he stated.
A critical shortage of emergency facilities in Dhaka was highlighted by RAJUK’s Chief Urban Planner, Md Ashraful Islam. He pointed out that Dhaka—despite having 92 wards—has only 19 fire stations. “Every ward should have its own fire station and playground. In a major earthquake, we lack both the equipment and open space necessary for clearing large volumes of rubble,” he added.
In the days following the 21 November earthquake, officials identified non-structural cracks in 277 public buildings, according to Public Works Department Superintendent Engineer Shakhawat Hossain. The department now plans to carry out more detailed inspections across government structures. Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Housing and Building Research Institute, Md Gias Uddin Hayder, confirmed that a revision of the national building code is in progress but noted that implementation and enforcement remain the major challenges.
Professor Badrudozza Mia of Dhaka University insisted that Bangladesh requires a dedicated Earthquake Research Institute to overcome gaps in scientific data, without which forecasting and planning remain inadequate.
Several speakers, including BUET’s former Professor Kazi Azizul Maula, called for greater national preparedness based on the distinct seismic behaviour of the region. Others stressed the urgent need to preserve open spaces such as school grounds and neighbourhood fields, which serve as safe gathering points during emergencies.
Architect Iqbal Habib of the Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon argued that public awareness is the country’s greatest defence. “Civil defence units must be reactivated in every community, and awareness must be built through regular drills,” he said.
The discussion was chaired by IAB President Professor Abu Sayeed M Ahmed and moderated by Vice-President Nowazish Mahbub. Various experts, including Professor Rakib Ahsan and IAB leaders Khan Md Mahfuzul Haque Jaglul and Masud Ur Rashid, also shared their insights.