Rapid urbanization is being experienced by Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world, mostly in the developing countries. This rapid growth of urban population in Bangladesh has taken place during the last four decades. In 1974 after the independence of Bangladesh urban population was only 6.27 million which grew over 39 million in 2011 and currently it is about 60 million. Likewise, the number of municipalities was increased to 329 in 2018, where this member was only 64 in 1974. The number of city corporation is also increased to 12. The uncontrolled rural to urban migration has led to newer challenges like housing, safe drinking water supply, health and sanitation, employment opportunities, education and other civic amnities.
Although, Bangladesh is still an agro-economy based country, however, the contribution of cities and towns in the national GDP which account for more than 60 percent. LGED started implementation of urban development projects in early 90s of the last millennium and later on in 2002 setup Urban Management Unit to streamline the urban development projects.
The unit provides support to urban development projects of LGED which are implemented in municipalities and city corporations, assisting in the preparation and updating of municipal master plan, imparting training for capacity building of the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and in the governance improvement of ULBs.
Headed by one Superintending Engineer, this unit runs with the assistance of Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers and supporting staff.