The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) is preparing a 25-year master plan to transform the port city into a sustainable, disaster-resilient, and environmentally friendly satellite city. The draft final report has been sent to the ministry for gazette publication ahead of a 60-day public hearing, with the plan expected to be released in December. The initiative, known as Master Plan 2025–2050, began in December 2022 with a budget of Tk 35.88 crore. CDA reports 87 percent physical and 59.67 percent financial progress, including digital mapping of 1,135 mouzas.

The plan aims to expand the city from 155 to 955 square kilometers by integrating Anwara and Karnaphuli areas across the river, following a “One City Two Town” model similar to Shanghai. It proposes 276 projects across 19 sectors, emphasizing environmental protection, flood control, and sustainable housing for 800,000 to 1 million people. Construction in 198.4 square kilometers of hilly areas will be prohibited.

Urban experts have welcomed the technical precision but warned that without institutional coordination, legal reform, and adequate funding, implementation may falter as in previous plans. CDA says it has begun inter-agency coordination and will operate under the new plan from December.