Infrastructure, Land Development, Housing, and Integrity:
Professor Faruk Ahmed, Managing Director, Gold & Silver Homes Ltd & Senior Vice-President, The Comilla Club.
How Comilla City Corporation is Shaping a Transparent, Livable, and Resilient Urban Future
Urban growth is no longer just about expanding cities—it’s about building sustainable systems, inclusive communities, and institutions of trust. In this age of rapid urbanization, city authorities must balance physical expansion with ethical governance and people-centered planning.
For the citizens of Comilla, one of Bangladesh’s oldest and most historically significant cities, the challenge is especially critical. As the city grows into a bustling commercial and residential hub, the Comilla City Corporation (CuCC) plays a pivotal role in ensuring that development is smart, equitable, and rooted in integrity.
This article explores how CuCC is leading the way through four key urban pillars—infrastructure, land development, housing development, and integrity—to build a city that works for its people, protects its heritage, and prepares for the future.
Infrastructure: The Backbone of Urban Life
Infrastructure development is the foundation upon which cities are built. Roads, drains, power, transport, lighting, and water systems are not just technical necessities—they shape quality of life.
Key Initiatives by CuCC:
- Road Expansion and Connectivity
- Construction and widening of major city roads and inner alleys
- Paver block footpaths and pedestrian-friendly intersections
- Road naming and digital mapping for easy navigation and disaster response
- Drainage and Flood Resilience
- Comprehensive drainage master plan to address monsoon flooding
- Concrete drains replacing older earthen canals
- Restoration of natural water flow systems to reduce waterlogging
- Urban Lighting and Security
- Over 70% of the city equipped with LED and solar-powered street lights
- Special lighting zones near schools, markets, and parks to improve safety
- Public Utilities
- Expansion of water pipelines in new residential zones
- Sanitary latrines and public toilets in transportation and shopping hubs
These projects not only improve daily life but also reduce health hazards, lower energy costs, and increase the city’s disaster resilience.
Land Development: Planning for Smart and Orderly Growth
As Comilla’s population grows, so does the demand for land. Without proper planning, cities fall into the trap of unplanned sprawl, encroachment, and inefficient land use.
CuCC’s Approach to Land Development:
- Urban Zoning and Regulation
- Development of detailed zoning laws for residential, commercial, and mixed-use zones
- Clear rules for building heights, plot use, and setbacks
- Special zoning for green spaces, water bodies, and cultural sites
- GIS-Based Land Mapping
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) used for land surveys and development mapping
- Identifying encroachments and illegal constructions
- Integrating land records with digital tax and licensing systems
- Preservation of Public Lands
- Regular monitoring and fencing of government-owned land to prevent illegal occupation
- Recovery and rehabilitation of encroached canals and parks
- Future-Oriented Land Use Planning
- Designing new road networks and land parcels with climate resilience in mind
- Allocating land for civic needs: schools, health clinics, playgrounds, and cultural centers
This structured approach ensures that land is used fairly, efficiently, and sustainably—avoiding the chaos of unplanned urbanization.
Housing Development: Building Homes, Not Just Buildings
Urban housing isn’t just about constructing concrete structures. It’s about creating affordable, safe, and inclusive living environments where families can thrive.
CuCC’s Priorities in Housing Development:
- Affordable Housing for All
- Collaboration with government schemes and NGOs to build low-cost housing
- Identifying vulnerable communities—rural migrants, slum dwellers, and the homeless
- Regularizing informal settlements and upgrading them with sanitation and water access
- Safe and Regulated Construction
- Mandatory building permits and safety checks
- Enforcement of earthquake and fire safety codes
- Restrictions on unsafe or unauthorized high-rise developments
- Gender and Accessibility Inclusion
- Design guidelines for women-friendly housing and public spaces
- Ramps, elevators, and wide corridors for differently-abled residents
- Safe, well-lit surroundings near housing colonies
- Integration with Urban Services
- Planning housing near schools, markets, transport, and clinics
- Sewerage and drainage connections for all new developments
- Ensuring green areas and recreational spaces within housing layouts
By prioritizing quality of life, CuCC ensures that housing is not just about shelter but about dignity, equity, and opportunity.
Integrity in Urban Governance: Building Public Trust
Infrastructure and housing development may be visible signs of progress—but their long-term impact depends on transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.
Comilla City Corporation has positioned integrity as a cornerstone of governance.
- Transparent Service Delivery
- Online portals for tax payments, license applications, and complaints
- Mobile app for tracking service status and lodging grievances
- Publication of budgets, project lists, and progress reports on official websites
- Public Participation
- Ward-level citizen forums to prioritize projects
- Town hall meetings and consultation before large-scale developments
- Participatory budgeting exercises to improve fund allocation
- Anti-Corruption Measures
- Internal audits of procurement and spending
- Rotational duties to avoid conflicts of interest
- Whistleblower systems and public complaint redress cells
- Capacity Building and Training
- Workshops for staff on ethical decision-making
- Partnership with anti-corruption bodies and NGOs
- Digital literacy training for employees to minimize manipulation of records
- Recognition and Reward for Integrity
- Acknowledgment of exemplary officers and ward representatives
- Performance-based incentives tied to transparency and efficiency
These steps foster trust between the city and its citizens, making every development project more effective and community-supported.
A City of Heritage and Modernity: Comilla’s Unique Identity
What sets Comilla apart is its deep cultural and historical legacy. From the ancient Mainamati ruins to the vibrant tradition of Nazrul and Lalon music, Comilla is not just growing—it is evolving without losing its soul.
CuCC ensures that:
- Historical sites are preserved amid urban growth
- Infrastructure projects avoid damaging archaeological zones
- Museums, cultural centers, and monuments are part of urban design
Urban growth must preserve identity—and Comilla is showing how the past and the future can coexist in balance.
Challenges on the Road Ahead
Despite its achievements, CuCC continues to face challenges that require ongoing attention:
- Land Disputes: Unclear ownership and outdated records create legal bottlenecks.
- Informal Settlements: Regularizing slums without displacing residents requires delicate handling.
- Resource Gaps: Infrastructure expansion demands funding beyond local revenues.
- Climate Pressure: Heatwaves, rainfall irregularities, and rising water levels demand adaptive planning.
- Urban Migration: Population pressure increases demand on land, housing, and services.
The solutions lie in smart planning, community engagement, and inter-agency collaboration.
Future Roadmap: Comilla 2030 Vision
CuCC is crafting a long-term vision aligned with national development goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key focus areas include:
✅ Integrated Land and Infrastructure Master Plan
- Smart grids, fiber-optic connectivity, water-sensitive urban design
✅ Green Building and Housing Code
- Incentives for energy-efficient housing and eco-friendly materials
✅ Smart Public Transport and Mobility
- Dedicated bus lanes, bicycle tracks, and digital traffic management
✅ Integrity Hubs in Every Ward
- Local ombudsman units, digital service kiosks, and accountability scorecards
✅ Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
- Leveraging private investment for housing, transport, and amenities
With citizen-centric thinking and ethical leadership, CuCC aims to position Comilla as one of the most transparent and livable mid-tier cities in South Asia.
Infrastructure, land, housing, and integrity are the four pillars of a successful, inclusive, and future-ready city. In Comilla, these are not abstract concepts—they are practical strategies, daily tasks, and visible transformations led by the City Corporation.
As Bangladesh prepares for a future of dense cities and smart systems, Comilla stands as a model of how balanced development, rooted in community trust and thoughtful planning, can create not just urban expansion—but urban excellence.
With continued investment in infrastructure, fair land use, inclusive housing, and governance rooted in integrity, Comilla is not just building a city—it is building a legacy of leadership, livability, and lasting impact.
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