SDG LAB

Parking Etiquette: The Rules of Parking in Dhaka 🚗🛑

We often talk about traffic, but rarely discuss the space vehicles occupy when they aren't mobile. Researchers call this "Traffic at Zero Speed", the parking and stopping that fundamentally shapes our city’s accessibility.

To keep Dhaka moving safely, we are highlighting essential rules for responsible parking:

Residential Zones: These areas are for residents, not heavy vehicles. Large trucks and buses compromise the safety of our homes. Keep parking planned, use small vehicles, and always prioritize pedestrians.

Local & Connector Roads: Parking is generally allowed, but size matters—heavy vehicles need special permission. Remember the "Golden Clock": No loading or unloading during peak hours (8:00–10:30 AM & 4:30–7:00 PM).

Safety Standards: Never park within 6–7 meters of an intersection to maintain clear sightlines, and avoid double-parking at all costs.

Our streets are shared spaces. Following these guidelines makes our neighborhoods safer, more breathable, and accessible for everyone.

These practices align with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 9 (Resilient Infrastructure) by optimizing mobility, SDG 3 (Good Health) through pedestrian safety, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption) by reducing the fuel waste and emissions caused by congestion.

What’s one parking habit you wish people in your area would adopt?

Let us know below in the comment section! 👇



Reference:
Rahman, K. N. Vehicular Parking: Policy and Guidelines for Dhaka. Dhaka Urban Transport Project (Phase-II).

🌟 Calling Young Changemakers! 🌟
Are you in grades 9–12 and curious about what really goes on inside an office?
The SDG LAB Junior Internship Program is here for YOU!
This is not a typical internship; it’s a hands-on journey where young minds get to work on real-world projects related to sustainability, community impact, and social change.

✨ What you’ll gain:
Practical experience working on live projects
Creative and critical thinking skills
Teamwork and leadership exposure
Mentorship and guided learning
A chance to turn your ideas into action

💡 Whether you're passionate about quality education, the environment, women’s empowerment, or social innovation, this is your space to explore, learn, and lead.

📌 Who can apply?
Motivated boys and girls who are curious, responsible, and ready to create impact.

🚪 Opportunities like this don’t come often!
Step in, Stand out, and Start your change making journey today!

🔗 Apply now and be part of something meaningful.

Click on the link to apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdGEI0UmFyH_whybthHH1pBXfM69HKhu_1tDqtOXXYQbSS9Uw/viewform?usp=dialog

Note: Complete this form carefully and honestly under the supervision of your parent or a trusted adult.

Application Deadline: April 24, 2026

Have you ever wondered how certain past accidents necessitated policy changes? Here is a prime example: the FR Tower fire in 2019

The FR Tower fire of 2019 was a tragic turning point for urban safety in Bangladesh. More than 25 lives were lost, exposing a critical "reach gap" in the event: the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) lacked the specialized equipment needed to combat blazes in modern high-rises.

This event shifted our focus from reactive measures to proactive systemic changes:

BNBC 2020 Implementation: The updated Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) introduced stringent mandates, including pressurized stairwells and mandatory automated sprinkler systems for all corporate towers.
Modernized Fleet: The Fire Service acquired advanced Turntable Ladder (TTL) trucks capable of reaching 68 meters (approx. 24 storeys), allowing rescue teams to fight fires at previously unreachable heights.
Institutional Oversight: Buildings now require a strict "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) from FSCD before receiving an occupancy certificate, ensuring safety codes are applied on the ground, not just on blueprints.

The Research & SDG Connection: Academic studies echo these needs. Ullah (2022) identified regulatory failures, while Morshed (2019) cited poor governance. Hasan et al. (2021) highlighted that sustainable development requires technological integration. These reforms and research align with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG 9 (Resilient Infrastructure), and SDG 8 (Safe Working Environments).

Ultimately, the lives lost in 2019 catalyzed a movement toward a more resilient and safe urban future.



References:
Ullah, A. A. (2022). The Ineffective Enforcement of Occupational Safety Regulations.
Morshed, A. Z. (2019). The Wrong Kind of Fire.
Hasan et al. (2021). Construction of High-Rise Buildings in Bangladesh: A Review.

Somewhere in your district, a story is waiting to be seen, a place quietly holding beauty, memory, and meaning.

Tomar Elaka invites you to capture the soul of your locality, its people, its paths, its hidden corners, and share it with the nation through your lens. No grand equipment, just your eyes and your heart.

Let your story travel beyond your streets, and stand a chance to win exciting prize money while bringing your home into the spotlight.

🎥 Register here: https://forms.gle/Jgy9zW47PLPs7HvAA
64 Districts. One Nation. A Thousand Stories.

This International Women’s Day, SDG LAB invited our Associate Fellows to reflect on a question that looks beyond the present.

The question we asked our fellows:
“What is one thing that Bangladesh as a nation needs to improve to empower women of the coming century (21st to 22nd)?”

As emerging changemakers, they shared their thoughts, and through their voices, we hope to spark meaningful conversations about progress, equality, and collective responsibility.

Today, we are proud to feature their reflections,
One voice at a time.