Australian Minister Shane Rattenbury Suggested to Bangladeshi Green Activists to Engage more People to Make City Liveable
This is very vital to engage all of stakeholders in planning process and implementing level to make city liveable and sustainable. Minister, Shane Rattenbury told, when he met two green activists Maruf Hossain, the National Advocacy Officer of Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust from Bangladesh and Kamrul Ahsan Khan, the Coordinator of Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN), Australian Chapter at 3.00 PM (local time) on 25th October, 2014 at Legislative Assembly Building in Canberra.
They discussed that all over the world problems are very common. So we need to solve those problems cooperatively. They mentioned that most of the cities are developing their transportation system in similar way in the world. Basically car centric policy and programs such as build elevated expressway, flyover, high-rise car parking building, decrease import tax on private car cause of increase transport cost, congestion, fuel consumption, pollution, accidents and alienation problem in the society.
Minister Shane Rattenbury said, we have vision to make our cities liveable and sustainable in Australia. We are going to develop green transport network citywide. Under this initiative we are improving public transport system including walkway and cycle lane as well as create space for people. Also discourage private cars for daily travel. He gave example from some cities that they discourage private cars by effective measures such as demolish elevated expressway, impose congestion charge, high parking charge etc.
The minister suggested as a friend of Bangladesh that to give importance to improve public transportation system including walking and cycling friendly environment in Bangladeshi cities. Also he emphasized to create space in cities where people can sit, eat, talk and play.
Finally, Maruf Hossain and Kamrul Ahsan Khan have been handed over some publications of Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust to Minister Shane Rattenbury.
