There are 50 community and cultural centers under Dhaka’s two city corporations. However, more than half of them are currently unused, under renovation, or occupied by other agencies. As a result, residents are deprived of the opportunity to rent these centers at affordable rates for weddings and social or family events.
Most Centers Closed in Dhaka South
The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has 35 community centers and two cultural centers. Of these, only 13 community centers and one cultural center remain operational. The remaining 23 have been abandoned, occupied, or closed for renovation for years.
According to DSCC’s Social Welfare Department, during the anti-government movement in August 2024, community centers in Segunbagicha, Paltan, and Ward 35’s Fazlul Karim Center were vandalized and set on fire. These have remained closed since then. The Dhanmondi Community Center has also been in a dilapidated condition for a long time.
The community centers in Basabo and Kamrangirchar are currently being used by law enforcement agencies. Renovation work at the Kazi Bashir Auditorium inside Shahid Matiur Park in Gulistan is progressing very slowly.
Although the Zahir Raihan Cultural Center in Sutrapur is open, most of its auditorium chairs are broken, preventing events from being held there. The Social Welfare Department has requested 408 new chairs, stage repairs, and a lift installation.
Several community centers — including those in Azimpur, Haji Gani Sardar, Tilpapara, and Dhalpur — are being used as DSCC regional offices. At the Mugda Community Center, the upper floors house the Mugda Police Station, leaving the ground floor largely abandoned and inaccessible for public use.
Other centers, such as those in Gendaria, Nawabganj, Jatrabari, Dhalpur, and Rokonpur, have broken air conditioners, fans, and sanitary facilities. Tiles, basins, and water pipes are also out of order.
DSCC sources said that Shahidnagar, Haji Jummon, Majed Sardar, Shayesta Khan, and Mayor Mohammad Hanif community centers are currently under reconstruction.
Local resident Mirajul Islam said, “If the Shahidnagar Community Center were open, I could have arranged my daughter’s wedding for 15–20 thousand taka. Instead, I had to spend 65 thousand renting a private center.”
DSCC’s Chief Executive Officer Zahirul Islam stated, “Some centers have already been renovated and reopened for public use. We’ve instructed officials to expedite the rest of the construction and renovation works.”
Eight Out of 13 Centers Active in Dhaka North
The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) operates 13 community centers, of which only eight are active. Regular events are held at centers in Uttara, Mohakhali, Mohammadpur, Moghbazar, and Abdul Halim.
Renovation work is ongoing at the Khilgaon and Rayerbazar
The Mohakhali Community Center was renovated recently and looks better from the outside, but residents complain about cleanliness issues inside. “There’s still a damp smell, and the toilets aren’t very clean,” said local resident Ikramul Islam. “If these problems are fixed, more people would want to use it.”
Caretaker Moshiur Rahman said, “The center has central air conditioning, and we’re putting more emphasis on cleanliness.”
Rental fees vary: for one hall, the charge is Tk 21,150 during the day and Tk 24,600 at night; for both halls, Tk 45,750 during the day and Tk 52,000 at night. Demand peaks during the winter months from November to February, he added.
DNCC Social Welfare Officer Goutam Kumar Biswas said, “The operational centers under DNCC are modern and well-equipped. Still, we plan to take additional measures to further improve citizen satisfaction.”
Citizens’ Expectations
Residents have urged both city corporations to complete renovation and reconstruction work quickly and reopen all community centers for public use. They say doing so would provide low- and middle-income families with affordable venues for social events and reduce dependency on costly private centers.