Along with the rest of the world, Bangladesh is preparing to undertake a range of measures to protect its population from the COVID-19 and its long-term socio-economic and humanitarian impacts.

1. Assignment on
Course name: Urban Development & Governance
Course code: PA- 4733
Submitted to
Md. Nasir Uddin
Lecturer
Department of Public Administration
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS)
Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP)
mnasirju@gmail.com
Submitted by
Name: MD. AL-MAhmud
Class Roll:17161040
4th Year 7th Semester
Department of Public Administration
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS)
E-mail: almahmud143bup@gmail.com
S u b m i t t e d o n : 3 0 t h
M a y , 2 0 2 0

2. Title: The COVID-19 Catastrophe in Bangladesh
Introduction
Since December 8, 2019, when a first known case of pneumonia with unknown etiology was
found in Wuhan City, China, the world has been badly tangled up in the novel corona virus or
Covid-19. From a public health emergency termed by the World Health Organization (WHO) on
January 30, it has been termed as a pandemic by the WHO on March 12. Defying all efforts by
the world to tame the virus, its spread remains uncontrolled. The effects of Covid-19 are of
course not confined to just public health only. (Khatun, 2020)The global economy is now
integrated through trade, remittances, investment and foreign aid. So the pandemic has given rise
to economic challenges coupled with uncertainties and unpredictability both at global and
national levels. The economy also suffers from some other weaknesses. High growth has been
unable to create adequate jobs in the economy. University graduates find it difficult to get jobs.
Do you think Urban Development & Governance, particularly with reference
to Dhaka city is hampered in any by Covid 19 pandemic? Which sectors are
affected seriously and how?
Along with the rest of the world, Bangladesh is preparing to undertake a range of measures to
protect its population from the COVID-19 and its long-term socio-economic and humanitarian
impacts. COVID-19 which was declared a pandemic by WHO on 30 January 2020 has already
increased the pressure on an already strained humanitarian system, both globally and in
Bangladesh.
As the COVID-19 pandemic started impacting lives everywhere, Dhaka’s nature and the overall
environment started healing from the pollution. The frequent movement of vehicles and smokes
of the industrial and constructional activities have gone away for a while, thus the birds are
freely exploring the nature like never before in recent times. The symphony of their sweet
chirping and their cacophonous conversations are now hereby more audible to the people in the
city.
But the most disadvantages part we can find, when we observe the urban development and
governance in the pandemic situation. We know due to lockdown situation all offices, education
institutions; most of religious centres, transportation are close. Now I listed some sectors
referencing Dhaka city which were facing most hampered in way by Covid 19. There are:
Logistics: Significant impact on supply chain continuity, with border closures, import/ export
and movement restrictions increasing challenges. Increased costs of relief commodities and
availability and access to food, fuel and other essential resources will be affected

3. Ongoing project: We have so many ongoing projects in around Dhaka City. One of the big
projects is “Metro Rail”. But now it’s stopped their construction. Construction of road, bridge etc
are the burden of Dhaka city. Because those construction increasing more traffic jam. So people
always expected as soon as possible government successfully complete all of the construction.
Shelter: Physical living conditions affecting the spread or containment of the disease,
particularly in dense urban environments. Evacuation centers in the case of cyclones, flooding
and landslides will likely increase risk for spreading COVID-19 as physical distancing measures
may not be possible.
Private Sector Impact: A significant impact will be felt by the private sector during this
period, which will have a follow-on effect on the wider community linked to these businesses,
with casual and informal workers within the private sector expected to feel the brunt of the
impact.
Vulnerability Related to floating and Slum Population: Floating population has
higher risks of exposure to virus. Most of the floating population and slum dwellers lives in the
urban areas specially Dhaka city. There are 0.15 million floating population and 2.6 million
slum dwellers in Bangladesh.
Vulnerability of Urban Unsustainable livelihood dependents: Unsustainable
livelihood such as rickshaw pullers, small street tea stall workers, street fruits/vegetables sellers
etc. may lose their income due to lockdown situation. Majority people from this livelihood
group depend on day to day income. This livelihood group tends to have no savings.
Now I listed below some sectors which are affected seriously:
RMG sector:
Large Ready-made Garments (RMG) companies which buy from Bangladesh are literally
closing doors all over European and American cities. There is also a measure of panic regarding
raw materials sourced from China. As of March 23, 264 Bangladeshi garment factories have
faced cancellations. (Amit, 2020)At the time of writing, BGMEA President Ms. Rubana Huq
suggested the total impact of order postponement/cancellations will amount to US$1.5 billion,
which is roughly 50% of our average export income in a month. If the virus continues to impact
global supply chains, buyer demand, and of course, health and safety of workers, by 2020, loss in
export revenues could reach US$ 4.0 billion.

4. Small Businesses and Startups:
At times of economic turmoil, small businesses and startups are usually the worst hit. Raising
funds is difficult as it is, for small businesses and startups. For Bangladeshi urban areas startups,
although the ecosystem is at an early stage, with a handful of startups responsible for a lion share
of funds raised, COVID has had adverse consequences
As a Dc of Dhaka District or as a mayor of DNCC or as an SN of DMP what
could be your roles to minimize the adverse impact of Covid 19?
Novel corona virus 19 is a pandemic, epidemic disease. Corona viruses are a large family of
viruses that can cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. one
infected person will infect between two and three more .the virus seems to be transmitted mainly
via respiratory droplets when people sneeze , cough or exhale .Because it's so new very little is
known about how this corona virus acts .And since there is no vaccine and no established
immunity from past cycles ; experts believe everyone is susceptible . For these reasons we have
to make social distancing and other precursor’s steps .As a DC of Dhaka district or as s mayor of
DNCC have many roles to minimize the adverse impact of Covid 19.
Close all the local shops and markets:-
In this critical situation to maintain social distance as a mayor of DNCC or DC of Dhaka district
have to make decisions to close all the grocery shops , tea stall, departmental stores and
vegetables , fish and meat markets .the police team on every sectors and areas ensure the thing .
Close all the education institution:-
As a mayor of DNCC, will close all the primary, secondary, higher secondary and University
institutions. All the educational institutions have so many students study their .So this is the
cause of infected corona virus in many people.
Close all the work places:-
Work places are the highest gathering place in Bangladesh. As a mayor of DNCC i will declare
that all the work places will remain close for the next notice. Government and private sector
should follow the closing rules and do not open companies before any opening notice.
Company’s owners should pay their workers salary from the funds as much they can afford.
Close all the transportation:-
To avoid the corona virus as a mayor or as a DC of Dhaka district have to close all the local
buses, trains, airplanes and other vehicles .these vehicles can also a medium of spreading this
virus so the police officers ensure the rule by checking the main points of roads all over the
Dhaka city. The public will also restricted to stay out from their houses .police will also ensure
that.

5. Pharmacy shops:-
As a mayor of DNCC or as a DC of Dhaka district, i will make some rules for the pharmacy
shops to open their shops and make social distance .These rules will strictly obeyed by the
pharmacy shops .
Grocery shops and markets opening time:-
Twice a week in every area some of the grocery shops and vegetable, fish, meat markets will
open that choose by the local people for some particular time. Shops and markets will
supervision by police officers with safety and social distancing.
Help the poor:-
“Hand to mouth provision" people’s life will hampered by closing all the work places and work
place related things. So as a mayor of DNCc or as a DC of Dhaka district i will make lists in
every area poor people by the help of police officers and volunteers and give them their daily
foods.
Religious institution:-
As a mayor of DNCC or as a DC of Dhaka district i will instruct all the religious institution will
closed before the further notice and once in a week it will open for a particular time with proper
social distancing and safety supervision by police officers and volunteers.
Arrange safety elements in every area:-
As a mayor or as a DC of Dhaka district i will make sure that in every area there will be hand
washing system for public and also the virus killing system booths for the common people to
prevent corona virus.
Speeding physical and virtual awareness:-
As a mayor of DNCC or DC of Dhaka district i will aware the people of Dhaka by using social
media, facebook, twitter etc and also arrange TV ads and news for the people awareness about
corona virus .And also instruct police and volunteers in every area to aware people by miking
and poster to keep their family safe.
Block all the way to enter or exit from Dhaka city:-
As a mayor of DNCC or as a DC of Dhaka district i will make rules to close the entire center and
exist roads of Dhaka city by that nobody can go out or enter in Dhaka city thus it can decrease
the rate of infected people.
Arrange proper safety things and PPE for Police, Army forces:-
Local level and all the working police officers provided safety masks, hand gloves and PPE by
the mayor of DNCC or DC of Dhaka district and also for volunteers.

6. Arrange help line for common people:-
As a mayor of DNCC or DC of Dhaka district i will provide 2-3 particular numbers for all the
common people .By call the numbers they will get proper instructions by doctors to keep their
selves safe against corona virus and other health problems.
Bank open:-
Twice a week all banks limited branches will open for a particular time to withdraw money.
In the bank all safety steps will follow by the bank workers and common people both .police will
monitored the banking safety rules.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 response, including the general special leave declared by the government from
26 March to 25 April in Bangladesh is already impacting some of the most vulnerable groups in
the country. It is expected that broader socio-economic impacts will continue to be felt for
several months if not years across the world, and this will also have a significant localized
impact on Bangladesh as well. These impacts will also disproportionately affect the most
vulnerable groups. The impact of the global COVID-19 response will be far reaching for
Bangladesh, as it will impact both import of essential items and exports, especially related to the
RMG sector on which the country relies heavily for income and employment.
References:
Bibliography
Amit, S. (2020). Coronavirus and the Bangladesh economy: Navigating the Black Swan event of
2020. Dhaka Tribune , 03-04.
Khatun, F. (2020). Priorities in the times of coronavirus. The Daily Star , 01.