In 2006, the then undivided Dhaka City Corporation established a community centre in Segunbagicha, one of the capital’s most densely populated neighbourhoods.

Nearly two decades later, after six governments, the corporation’s split into north and south, and two elected mayors, the centre has yet to open.

According to the DSCC website, it remains closed because it has not received a gas connection.

Meanwhile, Madhubagh Community Centre under DNCC is being used as an office of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

These are not isolated cases. The two city corporations have 51 community and cultural centres, but more than half are either non-operational or no longer serve their intended purpose.

Most are closed for reconstruction or renovation, while others have been abandoned or occupied by law enforcement agencies and government offices.

This has left residents with limited access to affordable venues for social events, while poor maintenance at many operational centres pushes families towards expensive private venues.

A kitchen market operates inside the unused Segunbagicha Community Centre, which has yet to reopen since its establishment in 2006. PHOTO: ANISUR RAHMAN

DSCC

DSCC has 37 community and cultural centres, according to its social welfare department. Of them, 18 are closed because of occupation, reconstruction, abandonment or other uses.

A June 30 report says Segunbagicha, Paltan and Fazlul Karim community centres in Ward 35 have been closed since they were vandalised and set on fire during the political unrest in 2024.

RAB operates from Muktijoddha Murad Community Centre, Dhalpur Shelter Training Centre and Shahid Nagar Maternity Hospital.

Four community centres -- Fazlul Karim, A Rahim, Afir Uddin Sarkar and Shahid Nagar -- house the Banshal, Wari, Mugda and Lalbagh police stations, while DSCC uses Haji Gani Sardar, Azimpur Mini and Tilpapara community centres as regional offices.

Mayor Mohammad Hanif, Islambagh, Khalil Sardar and Shayesta Khan community centres are under construction.

Moulvibazar, Northbrook Hall and Dhanmondi centres are unusable because of their dilapidated condition, while Ganaktuli Sweeper Colony and Segunbagicha remain unused.

Renovation is underway at Kazi Bashir Auditorium (Dhaka Metropolitan Theatre) in Gulistan, which those associated with it said hosts more political meetings than social events.

Zahir Raihan Cultural Centre in Sutrapur remains open, but few programmes are held because most auditorium chairs are broken. The social welfare department has requested 408 new chairs, stage repairs and a lift.

At Sutrapur, 18 air conditioners are almost unusable. At Gendaria, 22 air conditioners do not work properly, while paint is peeling and basins are damaged. The Bir Muktijoddha Sadeque Hossain Khoka Community Centre in Motijheel lacks air conditioning and has poorly maintained toilets, floors and halls.

Saeed Hossain, a Lalbagh resident, said he had to rent a private centre for Tk 65,000 in December, although he could have used Shahid Nagar Community Centre for Tk 15,000 to Tk 20,000.

“If the construction is completed quickly, local residents will benefit,” he said.

Haji Golam Morshed, Dhanmondi Bhuter Goli, Islambagh and Bir Muktijoddha Mosharraf Hossain community centres have been demolished for reconstruction.

DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam said renovation work at several centres had been completed and the authorities had been instructed to speed up work at the others.

“The dilapidated centres will gradually be renovated or rebuilt,” he said.

DNCC

DNCC has 14 community centres, of which 10 are operational, according to its social welfare department.

Of the remaining four, Mohammadpur Community Centre is used as DNCC’s Regional Office 5; Banani Community Centre is occupied by a security agency; Madhubagh Community Centre is used by RAB; and development work is underway at Khilgaon Community Centre.

Residents can use the operational centres for a fixed charge, but poor cleanliness and maintenance keep wealthier families away.

Mohakhali Community Centre, renovated two years ago, has low demand because of its poor interior condition.

“The community centre is much more modern than before. But once you go inside, there is still a musty smell. The toilets and wash basins are not properly cleaned,” said Goutam Biswas, a Wireless Gate resident.

Uttara Community Centre is an exception, with weddings, birthday celebrations and other social events held there regularly.

Mamun-ul-Hasan, DNCC’s chief social welfare and slum development officer, said the operational centres are modern and receive few complaints.

“Nevertheless, we will take further steps to improve citizen satisfaction and make the others functional,” he said.

Urban planner Adil Mohammed Khan said it is concerning that many community centres have been closed, become unusable or been taken over by government offices instead of serving the community.

“In a city like Dhaka, every ward should have one or more community centres in proportion to its population.”

He called for a long-term plan to renovate or rebuild dilapidated facilities, make them environmentally friendly and accessible, and keep them ready as evacuation or emergency shelters during disasters.