Project Overview

The Cox’s Bazar District Master Plan Project was a strategic planning initiative undertaken for the Cox’s Bazar Development Authority (CoxDA) to guide the sustainable and planned development of Bangladesh’s premier coastal district. Covering approximately 2,492 sq. km for the Structural Plan and 690.67 sq. km for the Detailed Area Plan, including one kilometer into the Bay of Bengal, the project aimed to address rapid urbanization, environmental conservation, tourism development, infrastructure expansion, and disaster resilience.

The project delivered a comprehensive planning framework comprising a Strategic Policy Plan (50-Year Vision), Detailed Area Plan (10-Year Horizon), Land Use Plan (20-Year Outlook), Tourism Development Plan, and various sectoral plans related to transportation, drainage, sanitation, utilities, disaster management, socio-economic infrastructure, and smart city development.

Project Duration

October 2024 – June 2025

The assignment was implemented over a period of nine months, involving extensive field surveys, geospatial analysis, stakeholder consultations, and preparation of planning documents and spatial databases.

Objectives

The project aimed to:

• Develop a comprehensive master plan for the sustainable development of Cox’s Bazar District.
• Establish a long-term framework for land use and infrastructure planning.
• Support environmentally responsible tourism growth.
• Strengthen disaster resilience and climate adaptation planning.
• Create a geospatial information system to support evidence-based decision-making.

Methodology

The project utilized advanced geospatial technologies and multidisciplinary planning approaches to collect, analyze, and manage spatial and socio-economic data.

Key activities included:

• Airborne LiDAR Survey
• GNSS-RTK Survey
• Satellite Image Processing and Analysis
• Physical Feature Mapping
• Topographic and Land Use Surveys
• Environmental Assessments
• Household and Socio-Economic Surveys
• Transportation and Traffic Studies
• Stakeholder Consultations and Public Engagement

A Web-GIS platform was also developed to facilitate spatial data management, visualization, and planning monitoring.

Key Achievements

The project successfully delivered:

• Strategic Policy Plan with a 50-year development vision.
• Detailed Area Plan covering 690.67 sq. km.
• Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning Framework.
• Tourism Development Plan for sustainable tourism growth.
• Transportation, Utility, Disaster Management, and Infrastructure Plans.
• Web-GIS-based Spatial Data Management System.
• Complete set of planning maps, geospatial databases, and technical reports.
• Development control and institutional recommendations for long-term implementation.

Our Contribution

Our team played a key role in the geospatial and mapping components of the project, including:

• Preparation of technical and analytical reports.
• Image georeferencing and spatial data processing.
• Development of geodatabases for physical features.
• GIS data management and quality assurance.
• Production of thematic maps in both digital and hardcopy formats.
• Support for spatial analysis and planning database development.

Project Impact

The project provided CoxDA with a fully integrated and implementable master plan to guide future development across the district. Through the application of advanced geospatial technologies and data-driven planning approaches, the initiative strengthened development control mechanisms, improved spatial data management, and established a foundation for sustainable urban growth, environmental protection, tourism development, and resilient infrastructure planning in Cox’s Bazar.