Published: 01:46 AM, 30 June 2026
Cosmetic Development: When Funds Are Wasted on Redundancies
Development is often measured by what people can see—gleaming roads, towering flyovers, landscaped medians, decorative lighting, and impressive public buildings. These visible symbols create an image of progress that can easily capture public attention and political acclaim. However, genuine development goes far beyond appearances. It is reflected in improved healthcare, quality education, employment opportunities, affordable housing, efficient public services, environmental sustainability, and an enhanced quality of life for ordinary citizens.
In Bangladesh, the pursuit of visible infrastructure has undoubtedly contributed to economic growth and modernization. Over the past two decades, the country has witnessed remarkable progress in transport connectivity, power generation, digital transformation, and urban expansion. Yet, alongside these achievements, concerns have emerged regarding the allocation of public funds to projects that prioritize aesthetics or duplication over pressing developmental needs. The distinction between real development and cosmetic development has therefore become increasingly important in shaping the nation's future.
Cosmetic development refers to projects designed primarily to create an attractive appearance or short-term political visibility rather than addressing fundamental socio-economic challenges. Such projects may include unnecessary beautification works, repeated renovations of public facilities, construction of underutilized monuments, excessive decorative lighting, lavish administrative buildings, or infrastructure that duplicates existing services without clear public demand. While these initiatives may improve visual appeal, they often fail to deliver proportionate long-term benefits to citizens.
Bangladesh has made commendable investments in large-scale infrastructure, many of which have transformed regional connectivity and economic activity. However, questions arise when limited public resources are diverted toward redundant projects while hospitals lack modern equipment, schools struggle with inadequate facilities, rural roads remain vulnerable to seasonal flooding, and many communities continue to face shortages of safe drinking water and sanitation services.
One recurring concern involves repeated renovation and beautification of roads, parks, and public spaces within relatively short intervals. In many urban areas, newly constructed sidewalks, pavements, road dividers, or decorative installations are dismantled only a few years after completion to accommodate another redevelopment project. Although urban improvement is necessary, repeated reconstruction without strategic planning often results in avoidable expenditure. Public funds that could have addressed more urgent priorities become absorbed in repetitive works that generate limited additional value.
Similarly, numerous public buildings undergo expensive aesthetic upgrades despite remaining structurally functional. Administrative complexes may receive luxurious interior decorations, ornamental landscaping, or elaborate architectural modifications while many government schools, health complexes, and local service centres continue operating with outdated facilities and insufficient maintenance budgets. Such disparities raise legitimate questions regarding development priorities.
Urban beautification undoubtedly has value. Attractive public spaces contribute to tourism, civic pride, environmental improvement, and better mental well-being. Clean parks, green spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets, and cultural landmarks enrich urban life. However, beautification should complement essential public services rather than substitute for them. When decorative projects receive priority over basic infrastructure, development risks becoming superficial.
Another dimension of cosmetic development involves duplication of projects across different agencies. At times, multiple government departments undertake similar initiatives with overlapping responsibilities. Separate authorities may construct parallel information systems, training centres, research facilities, or service delivery mechanisms without adequate coordination. Such institutional fragmentation increases administrative costs while reducing efficiency.
Redundant expenditure is not always the result of poor intentions. In some cases, inadequate planning, weak coordination, changing political priorities, or insufficient technical evaluation contribute to project duplication. Nevertheless, the financial consequences remain significant. Every unnecessary expenditure represents resources that cannot be invested in healthcare, education, agricultural modernization, disaster preparedness, renewable energy, or employment generation.
Bangladesh faces numerous pressing development challenges requiring careful fiscal management. Climate change continues to threaten coastal communities through rising sea levels, cyclones, river erosion, and salinity intrusion. Rapid urbanization has intensified pressure on housing, waste management, public transportation, and environmental conservation. The healthcare sector requires continued investment to strengthen primary care, disease surveillance, emergency response systems, and medical research. Education demands improved teacher training, digital learning facilities, vocational education, and research funding. Addressing these priorities requires disciplined allocation of limited public resources.
The concept of opportunity cost is particularly relevant in public finance. Every taka spent on a non-essential or redundant project is a taka unavailable for more urgent social investments. For example, the cost of repeated decorative improvements in urban centres could alternatively finance rural health clinics, modern science laboratories in schools, irrigation systems for farmers, flood protection embankments, or digital connectivity in underserved communities. Responsible governance requires evaluating not only what a project delivers but also what society sacrifices by choosing it over competing priorities.
Transparency plays a vital role in minimizing cosmetic development. Citizens deserve access to clear information regarding project objectives, estimated costs, procurement procedures, implementation timelines, and expected outcomes. Open budgeting encourages accountability while enabling independent experts, journalists, researchers, and civil society organizations to assess whether proposed investments genuinely serve the public interest.
Rigorous cost-benefit analysis should become an integral part of public investment decisions. Every development project should undergo comprehensive evaluation based on economic returns, environmental sustainability, social inclusion, maintenance requirements, and long-term public benefits. Projects with limited practical value should be reconsidered regardless of their political or symbolic appeal.
Maintenance is another frequently overlooked aspect of development. Bangladesh has invested substantially in infrastructure over recent decades, yet maintenance often receives insufficient attention. Instead of constructing new facilities while existing assets deteriorate, policymakers should prioritize preserving roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and water supply systems already in operation. Well-maintained infrastructure provides greater economic returns than repeatedly replacing neglected assets.
Local community participation can also improve development outcomes. Residents possess valuable knowledge regarding their actual needs and priorities. Meaningful consultation before project approval helps identify practical solutions while reducing the likelihood of unnecessary investments. Participatory planning strengthens public ownership and ensures that development reflects community requirements rather than administrative assumptions.
Digital governance offers additional opportunities to reduce waste. Integrated project management systems, geographic information systems, electronic procurement platforms, and real-time financial monitoring can improve coordination among government agencies. Better data sharing reduces duplication, identifies overlapping responsibilities, and enhances evidence-based decision-making. Bangladesh has already made considerable progress in digital governance, and further expansion of these systems can strengthen fiscal efficiency.
The private sector and development partners also emphasize value-for-money principles. Increasingly, international financial institutions encourage measurable outcomes, independent evaluation, environmental safeguards, and transparent procurement. These standards help ensure that investments generate sustainable public benefits rather than temporary political visibility.
Media organizations have an equally important responsibility. Investigative journalism can uncover inefficient spending, highlight successful development models, and encourage informed public debate regarding national priorities. Constructive reporting should distinguish between necessary infrastructure investment and projects whose primary purpose is visual appeal without corresponding public benefit. Responsible journalism contributes to democratic accountability by examining how public resources are utilized.
Educational institutions can further strengthen public understanding of development economics. Universities and policy research organizations should conduct independent assessments of major public investments, measuring both economic and social returns. Evidence-based policy recommendations can guide future planning while improving institutional learning.
Importantly, criticism of cosmetic development should not be interpreted as opposition to infrastructure or urban improvement. Bangladesh requires continued investment in roads, bridges, ports, airports, public transportation, housing, and modern cities. The challenge lies in ensuring that every project addresses a clearly identified public need, delivers measurable long-term benefits, and represents efficient use of taxpayer resources.
The country's remarkable economic achievements demonstrate that strategic investment can transform national development. Continued progress will depend not merely on constructing more infrastructure but on investing wisely. Development should be evaluated by its lasting impact on people's lives rather than its immediate visual impression. Citizens ultimately benefit from reliable healthcare, quality education, clean water, resilient infrastructure, efficient public administration, productive employment, and environmental sustainability—not simply from impressive monuments or decorative urban landscapes.
As Bangladesh advances toward its long-term development aspirations, policymakers must embrace a philosophy that places substance above spectacle. Transparent governance, evidence-based planning, institutional coordination, professional project evaluation, and active citizen participation can help eliminate redundant spending while maximizing social returns. Every public investment should answer a simple but fundamental question: Does this project genuinely improve the lives of the people?
Allegations of corruption and financial irregularities in development projects continue to pose serious challenges to Bangladesh's efforts toward sustainable economic growth. Experts, economists, and civil society organizations have repeatedly stressed that misuse of public funds not only delays project implementation but also increases costs and reduces the quality of infrastructure.
According to development analysts, corruption often occurs during project planning, procurement, tender evaluation, and implementation. Inflated project costs, substandard construction materials, unnecessary revisions, and delayed completion have become recurring concerns in several public infrastructure projects. Such practices place an additional burden on taxpayers and limit the government's ability to invest in priority sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and social protection.
Transparency advocates have emphasized that weak monitoring mechanisms and inadequate accountability contribute to the persistence of these irregularities. They argue that stronger oversight by regulatory agencies, independent audits, and greater public access to project information are essential to ensuring efficient use of public resources.
Economists note that corruption discourages both domestic and foreign investment by increasing business uncertainty and reducing public confidence in governance. Delays in project completion also affect economic productivity, causing inconvenience for citizens and slowing regional development.
Officials have stated that efforts are underway to improve financial management through digital procurement systems, stricter monitoring, and enhanced transparency in public spending. They believe that the use of technology and stronger institutional coordination can significantly reduce opportunities for corruption.
Policy experts have recommended introducing rigorous cost-benefit analyses before approving projects, strengthening anti-corruption measures, protecting whistle-blowers, and ensuring timely punishment for proven financial misconduct. They also stress the importance of empowering investigative journalism and civil society to monitor development activities.
Observers believe that sustainable development depends not only on increased public investment but also on integrity, transparency, and accountability. Ensuring that every public project delivers value for money will be crucial for Bangladesh as it continues its journey toward inclusive and resilient economic development.
True development is not measured by how attractive a city appears from a distance, but by how effectively public resources improve the well-being, dignity, and opportunities of every citizen. When public funds are directed toward genuine needs instead of cosmetic redundancies, development becomes not only visible but meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable. That is the path Bangladesh must continue to pursue if it is to build a prosperous, resilient, and equitable future for generations to come.
PR Biswas is a Senior Staff
Correspondent at The Asian Age.
