, Aug. 6 -- The Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) on Thursday called for a coordinated effort among health, urban planning and local government authorities to ensure a safe and liveable environment for children, warning that the recent measles outbreak underscores the urgent need for child-sensitive urban and regional planning.

In a press release, BIP said ensuring healthcare for children is a basic civic right, but equally important is guaranteeing them a safe environment, neighbourhood and well-planned urban and rural settings in which to grow up safely.

The professional body of the country's urban, regional and rural planners said there is no alternative to sound urban and regional planning in building child-friendly and liveabl...