Abul Alam

Dhaka North City Corporation

Chronological Development of DNCC From its beginning as a small city with a few thousand people, Dhaka actually experienced dramatic turns upward and today it has become one of the fastest growing mega cities of the world. Its existence as a major urban agglomeration has been consistent over a period of 400 years. Even the most developed cities in the world today cannot boast 400 years of uninterrupted and organized existence that Dhaka does as a historic city. In the 16th century during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar it was a thana or military outpost having a population of only 3000 people with an area of 2 km² (UNEP, 2005). Then turning Dhaka into a capital city of the eastern province in 1608 by Subedar Islam Khan was epoch making. Since then Dhaka has experienced actual urbanization and trends of development (Rahman, the daily Star, 2010). Since the city was dignified as a capital, its rapid development was just a consequence. The whole 17th century is remembered as a golden age in the history of Dhaka. As a capital for its suitable location Dhaka soon became an important commercial hub and manufacturing station. a. British Period Dhaka Municipality was established on 1st August, 1864. Prior to this, a Committee of Improvement worked in the city which was formed in 1823. The Committee consisted of three members was headed by Mr. Walters, the then Collector of Dhaka district. This Committee was replaced by another Committee named "Dhaka Committee" in 1840 with wider range of functions. The member of the Committee was appointed by the Government. District Municipal improvement (Act III B.C. of 1864) was introduced in Dhaka from the 1st August, 1864. Under this Act the "Dhaka Municipal Committee" was formed. The District Magistrate was ex-officio Chairman, the vice-chairman was appointed by Lieutenant-Governor.