Urban green spaces are valuable lands that offer numerous health, social, economic, and environmental benefits. Effective policies are required to protect these critical spaces and enhance the livability conditions of any city. Being one of the world’s fastest-growing megacities, Dhaka’s green spaces are always under severe threat. From a financial perspective, green spaces in Dhaka are at a disadvantage compared to other land uses, especially residential and commercial uses. Considering the current poor status of Dhaka’s green space, it is essential to study the gaps and loopholes in green space policy documents. This study first identifies the key focuses of global green space policy documents. The gaps in Dhaka’s policy frameworks are explored from the perspectives of global policy standards and stakeholders’ opinions. The PRISMA diagram was followed in this study for the systematic selection and review of policy documents. In total, 38 policy document reviews, 20 key informant interviews, and field observations were conducted to gather information for this study. Thematic analyses were done for in-depth exploration. The study reveals that quantity, quality, hierarchy, standard, inclusiveness, multifunctionality, connectivity, universal accessibility, maintenance, multisectoral collaboration, and community participation are the key focuses of green space policy documents worldwide. In the case of Dhaka city, the existing policy frameworks mainly deal with the standard amount of green space. Several crucial aspects, such as quality, accessibility, and monitoring, are almost ignored in Bangladesh’s national policy frameworks. Conflicts and inconsistencies also exist in the definition, standards, and hierarchical classification of green spaces and the responsibilities of relevant stakeholders in the planning, implementation, and management of Dhaka’s green spaces. The lack of proper design and management guidelines is another challenge for Dhaka. Policy measures that are recommended in this study might help in ensuring effective management of these critical spaces, specifically in developing countries worldwide.

A unified land use classification system with mutually exclusive definitions of each land use category helps to avoid inconsistencies in the planning process and, most importantly, ensures effective implementation of development control tools. In Bangladesh, the planning authorities prepare land use plans by independently deciding the land use classes. This study aims to explore the nature of inconsistencies in the land use classification systems followed by different planning institutions in Bangladesh and understand their corresponding consequences. To conduct the study, land use plans prepared by different planning institutions have been collected. Based on descriptive analysis, the study shows that the types of land use classes in land use plans change over time, between administrative units, and in different parts of the country. Even authorities are not consistent in maintaining a classification system in their subsequent plans. Moreover, the plans retain ambiguous definitions of land use classes. The classification and definitions of the land use classes are not well linked with different national acts, rules, and policies relating to environmental and natural conservation, which makes it difficult to control development and protect natural, environmental, and cultural resources. This study has the potential to help us understand the importance of a unified land use classification system. Utilizing concept hierarchy, the study has also developed a system for land use classification in Bangladesh that will assist in future research, planning, and policymaking.