Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Sunday said to build sustainable and livable cities it is essential to make ‘green building’ policy mandatory in government infrastructures.

“Once the government ensures compliance in its projects, the private sector will follow,” she said at a workshop on “Green Building” organised by the Department of Environment (DoE) in the capital..

Green buildings are not defined merely by their color or certification but by the integration of eco-friendly ideas and technologies in every stage of design, construction, management, and maintenance, said the adviser

The adviser emphasised that sustainable buildings are vital for protecting Dhaka’s canals and rivers, reducing waste and noise pollution, and controlling temperature to improve the city’s environment.

She called for incorporating policies such as rooftop solar power, rainwater harvesting, and the use of natural light and ventilation.

Rizwana also proposed forming a “Green Building Council” comprising representatives from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Department of Environment, Housing and Building Research Institute (HBRI), Local Government Division, and other relevant agencies.

The council would be responsible for setting standards, updating laws, and monitoring implementation.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed; RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md Riazul Islam; Chief Engineer of Public Works Department Md Khalekuzzaman Chowdhury; Additional Director General of DoE Md Ziaul Haque, among others, attended the event alongside engineers, architects, researchers, and policymakers.