"On September 24th, I attended the 3rd International Conference on Urban and Regional Planning (ICURP) hosted by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka. Themed 'Spatial Planning for Sustainable Development - Achieving National and Global Goals,' the event featured a high-level roundtable, technical sessions, plenary discussions, and an exhibition. Experts and leaders convened to address challenges and formulate strategies for sustainable urban and rural planning, culminating in the Dhaka Declaration outlining commitments for national and global development.

1. "Spatio-Temporal Response of SUHI to Mobility Pattern Shifts During COVID-19 Confinement: A Random Forest and GIS Study Across Eleven Major Cities in Bangladesh"

Submitted to the Journal: Heliyon (ISSN 2405-8440)

The research investigates Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) in Bangladesh amid COVID-19, analyzing spatiotemporal variations from USGS remotely sensed Landsat-8 images. Results show varied UHI impacts across cities, crucial for informed urban planning towards "smart cities". 

Abstract:

The pressing issue of the Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) effect could be mitigated by managing anthropogenic heat production through mobility regulation. The COVID-19 lockdowns, which led to significant shifts in urban mobility, provided a unique opportunity to study SUHI responses to these changes. However, there is a research gap in understanding the impact of COVID-19-induced mobility changes on SUHI effects. This study aims to fill this gap by identifying spatial heat responses to mobility changes across eleven major cities in Bangladesh, employing COVID-19 statistics, Google mobility data, daily Land Surface Temperature (LST) readings & local weather data from NASA's MERRA-2 satellite, and USGS Landsat 8-9 imagery. SUHI maps were created by processing Landsat images to index SUHI values for each pixel. A paired-sample t-test revealed a mean LST decrease of 1.33°C in the cities during the lockdown, with 99% confidence, followed by a post-lockdown increase of 1.35°C. Rajshahi and Khulna experienced the largest LST drops at 2.92°C and 2.05°C, respectively, while Sylhet showed the smallest decrease at 0.667°C. Pearson correlation analysis suggests that natural weather parameters alone do not fully account for these temperature shifts, indicating the influence of changed mobility. A Random Forest model for Dhaka revealed that mobility in grocery & pharmacy, retail & recreation, workplace, and transit stations positively influenced LST, while residential stay had the opposite effect. Park mobility only increased LST with a substantial rise in visitors or extended stay durations. The study concludes with data-driven recommendations for adaptive urban planning.

2. “Analyzing Road Traffic Accidents and Identifying Hazardous Locations Using Geospatial Techniques: Insights from Three National Highways in Bangladesh” 

Submitted to: Safety Science (Online ISSN: 1879-1042)

Abstract:

Road traffic crashes in Bangladesh, particularly on national highways, pose a critical socio-economic challenge, underscoring the need to prioritize hazardous road sections for effective resource utilization. This study examines 1,304 crashes across three major highways (N1, N3, N5) from 2021 to 2023, integrating geospatial data to identify hazardous locations and analyze contributing factors. The crash severity index, derived from the number of fatalities, injuries, and property damage (PDO), was used as a dependent variable for a comprehensive understanding. Crash factors were evaluated through bivariate and multiple linear regression analyses, while proximity-based spatial clusters of significant crashes, identified through Getis-Ord Gi* hotspot analysis, complemented with Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), helped identify crash-prone road locations and rank them by net severity index. The analysis revealed 12 hazardous segments on N1, 3 on N3, and 7 on N5 as high-risk zones. Heavier vehicles, such as buses and trucks, were strongly associated with higher severity, while non-motorized vehicles showed insignificant impact. Notably, buses and trucks frequently collided with motorcycles and auto-rickshaws in rear-end or head-on crashes, emphasizing the need for lane separation for light vehicles. Pedestrians were found to be particularly vulnerable, with adverse weather, reduced visibility, and high daytime traffic contributing to increased crash severity. This study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions at identified locations, including technology-based warning systems to provide drivers with crash alerts near HRLs, improved highway design, footpaths and foot-over bridges, lane separation, and speed regulation for heavy vehicles near pedestrian zones and critical areas, to reduce road crashes and fatalities in Bangladesh.

I believe that teaching is more than just imparting knowledge; it's a skill that can create a substantial positive influence in the community by fostering critical thinking, nurturing empathy, and instilling a lifelong love for learning. Through years of experience working with diverse groups of learners, both in traditional shadow education platforms and within EdTech companies, my goal is to contribute to the growth and development of my community, fostering a brighter, more informed, and engaged society. LEARN MORE