RAJSHAHI, May 18, 2023 (BSS) - Creation of more green spaces can be the best way of transforming the Rajshahi city into a sustainable, resilient and healthy environment.

Besides, emphasis should be given on enabling the principles of sustainable urban food systems, urban forests and green spaces for building a green city couples with fostering ecological harmony.

Promoting community well-being besides ensuring equitable access to healthy and locally sourced food can contribute a lot towards attaining the cherished yield.

Academics, researchers, experts and other stakeholders came up with the observation while disseminating their respective expertise in a daylong stakeholder consultation workshop titled "Green Cities Initiative Pilot Project in Rajshahi" here today.

The Department of Urban and Regional Planning (URP) at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) organized the workshop at Hotel X supported by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Prof Aminul Haque and Prof AZM Shoeb from Rajshahi University, Dr Ilme Faridatul, Dr Abdul Wakil and Asaduzzaman from the URP and FAO Assistant Representative Dr Nur Ahmed Khondaker addressed the workshop as resource persons. Head of the URP Dr Kamruzzaman welcomed the participants.

Dr Mustafizur Rahman from the Department of URP gave an overview of the project along with its vision, mission and implementation strategy during his keynote presentation.

He said the green city charter serves a collective vision and guiding framework for achieving the transformative endeavor.

As a whole, the project is intended to envision a vibrant and thriving clean, healthy and green city where sustainable urban food systems flourish and nourishing both the residents and the environment.

It will also create a model urban environment besides fostering equitable access to healthy and locally produced food, minimizing ecological impact and promoting community resilience.

Various issues related to enabling data-driven decision making in urban food systems, integrating agriculture, food and forestry into urban planning and preserving and boosting urban green space for a healthier environment were discussed elaborately.

In the workshop, the participants also talked about promoting urban agriculture, improving urban agri-food system management and food environment and reducing and managing food and other waste.