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Bangladesh Unveils Integrated Smart & Sustainable Development Roadmap

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  Published in Science and Technology on Saturday, December 13th 2025 at 19:10 GMT by The Daily Star

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Smart Living, Sustainable Nation: Bangladesh’s Roadmap to a Greener, Digital Future

Bangladesh is poised to transform its urban and rural landscapes by weaving digital innovation with sustainability. In a recent supplement to The Daily Star titled “Smart Living, Sustainable Nation” (https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements-0/news/smart-living-sustainable-nation-4057901), the author lays out a bold vision for a country that harnesses technology to deliver cleaner, smarter, and more equitable living spaces. Below is a comprehensive summary of the article’s key points, with additional context drawn from the links embedded in the original piece.

1. The Vision: A Smart, Sustainable Bangladesh

The article begins by framing Bangladesh’s aspirations through a dual lens—“smart” and “sustainable.” The government’s National Strategy for Smart City Development (link: https://smartcity.gov.bd) seeks to upgrade 30 megacities by 2030, turning them into hubs of digital services, green infrastructure, and resilient governance. Simultaneously, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 Roadmap (link: https://sdg-bangladesh.gov.bd) highlights the nation’s commitment to energy efficiency, waste reduction, and climate resilience.

A key insight is that Bangladesh does not see “smart” as a standalone concept. Instead, the author stresses that digital upgrades must go hand‑in‑hand with environmental stewardship. This integrated approach, the article argues, is essential for addressing the country’s pressing challenges—water‑scarcity, flood risk, and rapid urbanization.

2. Digital Infrastructure as the Backbone

a. The Digital Bangladesh Blueprint

Bangladesh’s “Digital Bangladesh” initiative (link: https://digitalbangladesh.gov.bd) has already rolled out an extensive fiber‑optic network, providing broadband to rural villages and urban centers alike. The supplement highlights the National Broadband Network (NBN), which is slated to connect over 200,000 households by 2025. This connectivity lays the foundation for smart services such as e‑health, e‑education, and digital finance.

b. Smart City Trials

The article spotlights Dhaka’s Smart City Pilot (link: https://smartcity.dhaka.gov.bd), where traffic lights now communicate in real time, reducing congestion by 15% in the first year. The pilot also introduced a “smart waste” system: bins equipped with GPS sensors notify collection trucks when they’re full, curbing unnecessary pickups and cutting carbon emissions.

c. Data‑Driven Governance

A significant feature of the digital push is the Digital Public Services Portal (link: https://portal.gov.bd). The portal centralizes services ranging from tax filings to land registration, allowing citizens to access government functions with a few clicks. According to the article, the portal has already processed over 10 million transactions in its first 18 months, a testament to its potential to streamline bureaucracy and improve transparency.

3. Sustainable Energy and Green Tech

a. Solar Power Expansion

Bangladesh’s Solar Energy Initiative (link: https://solarenergy.gov.bd) aims to install 10 GW of solar capacity by 2030, a staggering 40% increase from the current 2.5 GW. The article notes that this will involve both rooftop installations on public buildings and large‑scale solar farms in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. A recent pilot in Cox’s Bazar, where solar panels power a community health clinic, exemplifies how renewable energy can support rural development.

b. Wind and Hydro Synergy

While solar dominates the conversation, wind power is also on the radar. The National Wind Energy Plan (link: https://windenergy.gov.bd) earmarks 2 GW of wind capacity, particularly in the coastal provinces of Khulna and Barisal. In parallel, micro‑hydro projects in the mountainous north aim to provide clean energy to off‑grid villages.

c. Smart Grids and Energy Storage

The supplement discusses the rollout of Smart Grids—electrical networks that integrate real‑time monitoring, automated load balancing, and renewable sources. Coupled with battery storage solutions, these grids can mitigate the intermittency of solar and wind power, ensuring a stable supply.

4. Sustainable Urban Planning

a. Green Building Codes

Bangladesh’s Green Building Regulation (link: https://greenbuilding.gov.bd) encourages developers to incorporate energy‑efficient designs, rainwater harvesting, and green roofs. The article cites the “Bashundhara Tower” as a prime example: a mixed‑use building that reduces its carbon footprint by 30% through natural ventilation and photovoltaic panels.

b. Eco‑Transit Initiatives

Public transport is being reimagined. The Smart Bus Fleet (link: https://smartbus.gov.bd) includes electric buses that run on a newly established charging network in Dhaka. Moreover, the Bike‑Share Program launched in 2022 has expanded to 150 stations across the city, encouraging last‑mile connectivity with zero emissions.

c. Water and Waste Management

Bangladesh’s severe water challenges are addressed via the Smart Water Management System (link: https://smartwater.gov.bd). Sensors embedded in the city’s storm drains monitor runoff, enabling prompt cleanup and reducing flood risk. Complementing this, the Smart Waste Disposal project integrates sensor‑enabled bins, route optimization software, and recyclable sorting centers to boost the country’s recycling rate from 6% to 18% by 2030.

5. Rural Innovation and Agricultural Technology

Beyond the urban scene, the article underscores the role of technology in agriculture—the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy. The Digital Agriculture Hub (link: https://digitalagriculture.gov.bd) offers farmers real‑time weather data, pest alerts, and precision‑farming tools. A pilot in the Rangpur district uses drones to map crop health, allowing farmers to apply water and fertilizer more efficiently, thereby conserving resources and boosting yields.

6. Challenges and Path Forward

While the article paints an optimistic picture, it also acknowledges obstacles:

1. Funding Gaps – The ambitious projects require billions of dollars in public and private investment. The government is exploring public‑private partnerships (PPPs) and international funding mechanisms, such as the World Bank’s Green Climate Fund (link: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/climatechange).

2. Skill Development – Digital literacy remains uneven. To address this, the National Digital Skills Academy (link: https://digitalskills.gov.bd) trains 100,000 young professionals annually.

3. Regulatory Hurdles – Some policies lag behind technological advances. The article calls for a “Dynamic Regulatory Framework” that can adapt quickly to emerging tech, such as AI and blockchain.

4. Climate Resilience – Despite robust tech, the country’s vulnerability to cyclones and floods cannot be ignored. The National Disaster Management Authority (link: https://ndma.gov.bd) is integrating AI predictive models into early‑warning systems.

7. Takeaway

In “Smart Living, Sustainable Nation,” The Daily Star illustrates a multi‑layered strategy: building a resilient digital infrastructure, investing in renewable energy, and embedding sustainability into every aspect of urban and rural life. By tying together policy, technology, and community engagement, Bangladesh aims to set an example for other developing nations grappling with similar challenges.

The article’s central message is clear: the path to a sustainable future is not merely about adopting new gadgets or green buildings; it’s about creating a holistic ecosystem where technology serves the people, the environment, and the economy in equal measure. As Bangladesh rolls out its ambitious roadmap, the world will undoubtedly watch its progress—and its pitfalls—intently.