Planning and Development Research

1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY   In development theology the interest in governance has always been there but the focus has changed with the passage of time according to the need. Governance can be broadly defined as the services that governments provide to the governed (i.e., citizens) and the environment that is created within which the citizens can then operate. In this context, urban governance refers to the general manner in which a city is governed. It includes both the formal structures of urban government and administration and the practices of exercising management and power including the role of groups in civil society in the governing relationship. In recent years, a growing body of empirical research has identified good governance as the key to development progress. A focus on local urban governance means that, beyond legal frameworks and international agreements, the geographies of human rights have to be acknowledged if they are to be realized in practice. The not

ABSTRACT Although the feeling of safety contributes crucially to the quality of life of citizens, streets of Bangladesh have become very unsafe and become a major domain for urban crime. In this regard, various authorities are playing their role and Special Forces are keeping the street under strict surveillance. But, the progress is very low and slow. In fact the situation is getting worse every day. In such a circumstances, it is high time for every part of the society and the professionals to play their respective roles and duties. Thus decision makers in the city councils as well as the citizens themselves think about strategies to make life in cities safer. Authorities must follow a legal mandate to guarantee public safety as a public good. But, what is planners’ role and how can physical planning elements be used as a tool in this case? This paper tries to find this answer to these questions. In developed world, through a systematic approach planners are already playing