Future Buildings Must Improve Quality of Life: Shahadat Hossain
Shahadat Hossain
Chairman, Jams Group
Raju Alim
Bangladesh’s construction industry is entering a significant period of transformation, with rapid urbanisation, changing lifestyles, technological advancement and rising consumer expectations reshaping the way buildings and urban spaces are planned and developed, according to Shahadat Hossain, Chairman of Jams Group.
He says the industry is gradually moving beyond its traditional emphasis on construction volume and speed. Quality, design, durability, safety, efficiency and sustainability are becoming equally important considerations in determining the value of a building.
According to him, the changing skylines of Dhaka and other major cities are only the visible expression of a much broader transformation taking place across the built environment. Residential towers, commercial complexes and mixed-use developments are expanding rapidly, while the construction sector is becoming increasingly interconnected with housing finance, construction materials, architecture, engineering, technology and a wide range of supporting industries.
Hossain believes Bangladesh’s continuing urbanisation is at the centre of this transformation. As increasing numbers of people move towards cities for employment, education and economic opportunities, demand for housing and commercial space continues to rise. At the same time, however, consumers are becoming more sophisticated in evaluating properties.
He notes that location and price remain important to homebuyers, but these are no longer the only determinants of value. Construction quality, natural light, ventilation, security, parking, accessibility, efficient use of space and long-term maintenance costs are increasingly influencing purchasing decisions.
This changing consumer outlook, he says, is compelling developers and other stakeholders to reconsider what it means to build a successful project.
He places particular emphasis on planning, arguing that the foundation of a construction project is established well before physical construction begins. Land assessment, architectural planning, structural design, utility connections, drainage, road access and environmental considerations all have an important bearing on the eventual performance of a development.
This is particularly relevant in densely populated urban areas where land is scarce and expensive. According to Hossain, efficient use of every square foot has become essential, but efficiency should not be confused with simply maximising the built-up area. Thoughtful planning should create functional spaces while ensuring adequate facilities, comfort and a suitable living environment.
He also points out that decisions taken during the design stage can have significant financial consequences throughout the construction process. Proper planning can improve the use of materials, labour, time and space, while inadequate planning can lead to delays, redesigns, wastage and additional costs.
Material quality is another area he identifies as fundamental to the future of the construction industry. Cement and steel remain central to structural strength, forming the backbone of foundations, columns, beams and slabs. But he argues that the quality of a modern building cannot be assessed only by examining its structural framework.
Bricks, tiles, ceramics, glass, aluminium, paints, sanitaryware, electrical equipment and plumbing systems all contribute to the durability, functionality and appearance of a completed property.
Hossain says material selection is increasingly moving beyond considerations of initial cost. Durability, technical specifications, safety, reliability and long-term performance are becoming more important in determining which products should be used in a project.
A building may appear impressive immediately after completion, he observes, but its actual quality becomes evident over years of use. Materials that perform reliably can reduce maintenance requirements, extend the useful life of a property and ultimately provide greater value to owners.
He also sees architecture playing a broader role in the changing construction landscape. Modern buildings, he says, are increasingly being designed around the everyday needs of the people who use them rather than focusing solely on external appearance.
Natural light and ventilation, for example, can improve indoor comfort while reducing dependence on artificial lighting and cooling. The positioning of rooms, windows, balconies and common areas can also determine how efficiently and comfortably a home functions.
Finishing materials are similarly becoming an important component of architectural identity. Tiles and ceramics, once viewed largely as functional construction products, now offer a broad range of colours, textures, patterns and finishes that allow homeowners and designers to create spaces reflecting different tastes and lifestyles.
Glass and aluminium have also become increasingly prominent in contemporary architecture, combining visual appeal with practical applications. Paints, coatings and sanitaryware are being selected with greater attention to durability, hygiene, water efficiency and ease of maintenance.
At the same time, Hossain stresses that Bangladesh’s construction industry cannot simply replicate international trends. Buildings must respond to the country’s own climate, geography and environmental conditions.
Bangladesh’s hot and humid climate, heavy monsoon rainfall and changing weather patterns make climate-responsive design increasingly important. Building orientation, ventilation, drainage, water management, material durability and energy efficiency should therefore be incorporated into construction decisions from the beginning, he says.
For Hossain, sustainability is not merely an environmental objective. It is also a practical and economic requirement.
Buildings consume significant amounts of energy and water throughout their lifecycles, while construction requires substantial quantities of raw materials and generates waste. More efficient design, responsible material selection and improved construction practices can therefore reduce environmental impact while also lowering long-term operating costs.
He argues that sustainability does not necessarily depend on expensive or highly sophisticated technologies. In many cases, better planning can produce meaningful results. Maximising natural light, improving ventilation, reducing material waste and selecting durable products can all contribute to more efficient and resilient buildings.
Technology is another major force reshaping the sector. According to Hossain, digital design and modelling tools are giving architects and engineers greater control over increasingly complex projects. Potential design conflicts can be identified before construction begins, allowing problems to be addressed at an earlier stage and reducing costly changes during construction.
Digital project-management systems are also improving scheduling, documentation, communication and resource management. In an industry where delays can rapidly increase project costs, better coordination can have a direct impact on efficiency and financial performance.
He further argues that digitalisation can contribute to greater transparency. Proper documentation and regular project updates can improve communication among developers, architects, engineers, investors and customers, ultimately helping to strengthen confidence in the development process.
Housing finance, meanwhile, remains an important component of the sector’s future. Hossain notes that purchasing a home represents one of the largest financial commitments for millions of families. Housing finance therefore plays a critical role in connecting household aspirations with property development.
As land and construction costs increase, access to appropriate long-term financing will influence whether homeownership remains attainable for a wider section of society. At the same time, he stresses the importance of responsible lending so that borrowers are able to meet repayment obligations without excessive financial pressure.
In his view, a healthy housing market requires an appropriate balance between accessibility and financial discipline.
Hossain also highlights the broader economic importance of construction. The sector is not limited to developers and property buyers. Major projects create demand for cement, steel, bricks, tiles, ceramics, glass, aluminium, paints, sanitaryware, electrical products and numerous other materials.
Construction activity also generates employment for architects, engineers, technicians, contractors, transport operators and workers. As a result, the sector is closely connected with manufacturing, finance, employment, trade and urban development.
He therefore sees construction as part of a much larger economic ecosystem rather than as an isolated industry.
As Bangladesh continues to urbanise, Hossain believes the next chapter of the construction sector should be defined not simply by the number of buildings being erected, but by the quality and purpose of those developments.
Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in lasting value rather than short-term visual appeal, while developers face the challenge of maintaining affordability alongside rising expectations regarding quality and performance.
He considers this challenge an opportunity for the industry to strengthen trust through quality, transparency, innovation and responsible development.
According to Hossain, Bangladesh’s cities will continue to expand, with new neighbourhoods, residential communities, commercial districts and mixed-use developments shaping the urban landscape of the coming decades. The decisions being made today will therefore have consequences far beyond individual projects.
He believes the future of Bangladesh’s built environment will depend on bringing together engineering and architecture, affordability and quality, technology and efficiency, and economic growth and sustainability.
Buildings of the future, he says, will need to provide more than additional floor space or a new silhouette on the skyline. They will need to create safe, comfortable, efficient and meaningful environments in which people can live, work, invest and build their futures.
Ultimately, Hossain argues that the progress of the construction industry should not be measured solely by the height of buildings, the scale of developments or the number of projects completed. The more important measure is the quality of life created within those spaces.
For Bangladesh, he says, building better is therefore about more than constructing more. It is about creating buildings and urban environments with greater purpose, responsibility, quality and a long-term vision for future generations.
Raju Alim
Journalist, Poet, Media Personality
