If you are planning to build in Bangladesh, you will run into certain words again and again — in a RAJUK form, a land deed, or a conversation with your architect. This glossary explains the ones that matter most, in plain language, so you know what you are agreeing to before you sign anything.

Land & Measurement Terms

Katha

A unit of land measurement used across Bangladesh and parts of India. In Bangladesh, 1 katha is standardized at 720 square feet. Land size is usually quoted in katha for city and suburban plots.

Bigha

A larger land unit equal to 20 katha, or 14,400 square feet. Bigha is more commonly used for larger or rural plots than for typical city residential land.

Decimal (Shatangsho)

Another land unit used in Bangladesh, roughly equal to 435.6 square feet (about 1.65 decimal to one katha). You will often see rural and peri-urban land listed in decimals rather than katha.

Approval & Legal Terms

RAJUK

The Capital Development Authority (Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha) — the government body responsible for approving building plans and enforcing planning rules in Dhaka. See our step-by-step RAJUK approval guide for how the process actually works.

FAR (Floor Area Ratio)

The ratio of a building’s total floor area to the area of the plot it sits on. RAJUK sets FAR limits based on factors like road width and location, which is one of the main things that determines how many floors you can legally build — it is confirmed per plot, not assumed from a general number. Our FAR calculation guide walks through the Plot FAR / Area FAR distinction and includes a free calculator.

Setback

The mandatory open space that must be left between a building and the plot’s boundary (front, rear, and sides). Setback requirements depend on plot size, road width, and building height, and they directly affect how much of your plot you can actually build on.

Occupancy Certificate

A certificate confirming that a completed building has been constructed according to the approved plan and is fit for use. It is typically needed after construction is finished, before a building is formally occupied.

Mouza

A revenue survey unit used in Bangladeshi land records — each mouza has its own map and survey number, which shows up on land deeds and is referenced when verifying a plot’s legal records. See our guide on documents you need before starting construction for where this fits in.

Design & Construction Terms

Duplex

In Bangladesh, a duplex usually means an independent house built on its own plot across two or more floors for one family — not a shared-wall unit, which is the word’s meaning elsewhere. See our full guide to duplex house design in Bangladesh.

Elevation Design

The architectural design of a building’s front (and sometimes side) exterior face — its proportions, materials, window placement, and overall look from the street. Browse examples in our image gallery and portfolio.

Turnkey Construction

A construction arrangement where one firm handles everything from design to final handover — the client is handed a finished, move-in-ready building, rather than coordinating separate architects, engineers, and contractors. See turnkey vs. traditional construction for how the costs compare.

MEP (Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing)

The engineering systems inside a building — water supply and drainage, electrical wiring, and mechanical systems like lifts or ventilation. MEP design has to be coordinated with the architectural and structural design, not added as an afterthought.

Architect vs. Engineer vs. Contractor

Three different roles that are easy to confuse: the architect designs the building, the structural engineer makes sure it stands up safely, and the contractor builds it. See our full breakdown: Architect vs. Engineer vs. Contractor: Who Do You Actually Need?

Why These Terms Matter

Most construction delays and disputes in Bangladesh trace back to one of these terms being misunderstood early on — a plot’s real FAR, an unclear setback, or a missing document. Knowing the vocabulary makes it much easier to ask the right questions before you commit to a design or a contractor.

Have a Project in Mind?

We can walk you through exactly what applies to your plot — FAR, setback, required documents, and design options. Book a free consultation, or see our architectural design service for the full scope of what we cover.

Construction & Architecture Terms Explained: A Bangladesh Glossary