Site Assessment and Prioritization of Seven Sites for Economic Zones Development for Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA)

The assignment involved conducting a comprehensive site assessment and prioritization of seven proposed Economic Zone (EZ) sites across six districts in Bangladesh for the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA). In response to BEZA’s request for assistance, the IFC–Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund (BICF) engaged Young Consultants (YC) to assess the sites recommended by the respective District Commissioners and the private sector, under the close supervision of an International Economic Zones Specialist. The study evaluated the physical characteristics, geographical suitability, infrastructure availability, environmental and social conditions, and development constraints of each proposed site. The findings provided a comparative basis for ranking the seven sites and identifying their suitability and potential for economic zone development.

Scope of Services Provided
The assignment covered an integrated assessment of seven proposed economic zone sites, including verification of site information, evaluation of infrastructure and environmental conditions, assessment of social considerations, and comparative prioritization. The principal services provided included:

Background Information Review and Preliminary Site Assessment: Reviewed the background information provided by BEZA and conducted site visits to examine the location, size, area, surrounding context, on-site and off-site infrastructure, and environmental and social conditions of all seven proposed sites. Identified potential fatal flaws, including constraints that could make a site unsuitable for development or require mitigation measures that were technically impractical or financially prohibitive.

Site Verification and Survey Reconfirmation: Reconfirmed the key survey details of each proposed site using the coordinates and maps provided, including the district in which the site was located, geographical coordinates, site boundaries, and total site area in square metres. Verified the consistency of the provided site information through field visits and site inspections.

Surrounding Area and Regional Accessibility Assessment: Examined the areas surrounding each site to identify relevant geographical, infrastructural, environmental, and social characteristics. Documented nearby urban and rural communities and their distances from the sites; identified the locations and distances of nearby hospitals and schools; and assessed accessibility to key regional infrastructure, including airports, railway facilities, seaports, and national highways. Evaluated adjacent residential and other land uses that could be adversely affected by large-scale economic zone development, identified surrounding environmental and social concerns, and assessed potential constraints affecting site suitability.

Physical, Geographical, and Land-Use Assessment: Evaluated each site’s landscape characteristics, including rolling hills, floodplains, water bodies, trees, and rivers; general soil types, without conducting soil testing; earthquake-zone considerations; climatic conditions, including rainfall and monsoon patterns; and the type and density of vegetation. Examined existing land uses, including commercial, residential, recreational, and industrial activities; identified industrial operations and agricultural activities, including crop types and cultivation frequency; and documented existing infrastructure and structures such as bridges, dams, retaining walls, houses, mosques, historical structures, and graveyards. Identified illegal settlements and other potential physical constraints or fatal flaws that could affect site development.

On-Site and Off-Site Infrastructure Assessment: Assessed the availability, location, capacity, and condition of existing infrastructure within and around each proposed site. Examined the location, size, and type of access roads and internal roads, including roads entering or traversing the sites. Identified the location and connectivity of essential off-site utilities and infrastructure, including electricity, water supply, gas, wastewater treatment, and telecommunications. Evaluated the existing quantity and quality of infrastructure, including electricity supply voltage and the feasibility of extending power connections to site boundaries. Documented existing on-site infrastructure, utility connections, and their locations, and identified infrastructure deficiencies, additional development requirements, and potential constraints affecting economic zone implementation.

Environmental Assessment: Evaluated the environmental conditions and potential risks associated with each proposed site. The assessment covered the frequency and extent of erosion and flooding; earthquake occurrence and magnitude; the presence and location of rivers and lakes and their potential implications for site development; and the potential effects of the Shabarpur River and other nearby rivers, including high- and low-tide conditions. Examined the need for land filling and the potential height of land raising, where applicable; identified wetlands and protected areas within the sites and their surrounding 10-kilometre radius; and assessed existing sources and types of pollution. Investigated the availability and sources of clean water, estimated availability where information permitted, and considered alternative water supply sources. Also examined potential contamination of the sites and surrounding lands, the feasibility of contamination mitigation, the availability of wastewater discharge and treatment facilities, nearby solid waste disposal facilities, and other environmental constraints. Identified fatal environmental flaws that could affect the suitability of individual sites.

Social Assessment: Conducted a preliminary assessment of the social characteristics of each site and its surrounding communities. Examined urban and rural population sizes, existing housing types and construction materials, community facilities and services such as schools, hospitals, shops, and mosques, and the principal livelihoods of local inhabitants, including fishing, farming, cattle grazing, and small businesses. Evaluated potential impacts of economic zone development on women and their livelihoods, assessed whether resettlement might be required and the approximate number of people potentially affected, and identified significant social constraints and potential fatal flaws relevant to site selection.

Government Consultation and Information Gathering: Met with relevant government officials to obtain information, clarify site-related issues, and support the assessment and evaluation of the proposed economic zone locations.

Comparative Site Ranking and Prioritization: Consolidated the findings from the site inspections, geographical verification, surrounding-area analysis, infrastructure assessment, environmental investigations, and social assessments. Compared the seven proposed sites based on their respective characteristics, development opportunities, infrastructure availability, environmental and social considerations, and potential fatal flaws. Established a comparative ranking to support BEZA in prioritizing the proposed sites for economic zone development.

Reporting and Documentation: Prepared and submitted the Final Site Assessment Report, documenting the findings of the seven-site assessment, key site characteristics, infrastructure conditions, environmental and social considerations, identified constraints, and comparative ranking. The report provided an evidence-based foundation for BEZA’s consideration and prioritization of suitable sites for economic zone development.

Key Deliverable
A comprehensive Final Site Assessment Report covering seven proposed economic zone sites across six districts in Bangladesh. The report documented verified site information, physical and geographical characteristics, on-site and off-site infrastructure, environmental and social conditions, potential fatal flaws, and comparative site rankings to support the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) in prioritizing sites for future economic zone development.

Assignment Details
Client: IFC – Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund (BICF)

Beneficiary: Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA)

Client Address: Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Project Location: Six districts across different regions of Bangladesh

Contract Value: Approximately US$36,000

Duration: 2 months (February 2012–March 2012)

Total Staff-Months: 4 staff-months

Associated Consultants: Not applicable

Senior Professional Staff and Roles:

Mr. M. Zakir Hossain – Project Manager
Dr. Mustafa M. Kamal – Environmental Expert
Dr. Akhter Hossain Hossain Chaudhury – Site Assessment Expert
Mr. Pradip S. Chowdhury – Social Expert
Abu Musa Abdullah – GIS Expert
Engr. Shafiqur Rahman – Site Engineer
S. M. Firoz Hasan – Coordinator