Reviving Opportunities through Socio-Spatial Parameters for Community Interaction:

Sarah Bashneen Suchana,Sheikh Itmam Soud

doi:10.36609/bjpa.v29i1.269

Abstract

Within urbanized areas, the importance of neighborhood ponds should be assessed and investigated with its socio-spatial parameters (access and linkage, sociability, uses and activities, comfort and image etc) since such water bodies act as retention basin during floods, reservoir for lean period and responsive socializing agent to measure community interaction which are generally been neglected by city government, threatened by developers but taken care by neighborhood people in Old Dhaka. Most of the inner city small neighborhoods ponds have been encroached and filled up upon demand on land as the pond were not integrated in the city planning. The main objective of this research is to assess the significance of such water bodies and revive the spatial relationship of neighborhood ponds with its nearby residents. Therefore a socio-environmental survey (quantitative and qualitative) is held on neglected and threatened small neighborhood ponds of Old Dhaka with direct observation, in-depth interviews of the residents to compare the environmental, ecological and social contexts and explore the opportunities. An integrated assessment for enhancing sustainability and creating opportunities through community participation has been suggested to rejuvenate the ponds with attention for wetland preservation and to integrate into community development programs or planning.

Highlights

Dhaka used to be referred as the “Venice of the East” for its water bodies, which were interconnected and formed a convenient network of communication
The study attempts to trace present settlement pattern around neighborhood water bodies in Old Dhaka and explore the socio-spatial features to ascertain an appropriate role of such water bodies in the rejuvenation and integration of the city fabric
Dhaka has ponds of different sizes spread within its municipal corporation boundary which are used as multiple resources and have great ecological importance in urban environment – from microclimate control to biodiversity. Most of these inner city small neighborhoods ponds are mainly neglected,have been encroached and filled up upon demand on land as the pond were not integrated in the city planning

Summary

Introduction

Dhaka used to be referred as the “Venice of the East” for its water bodies, which were interconnected and formed a convenient network of communication. In the frenzy of urbanization, Dhaka, in the last 30 years or so, has seen a drastic reduction of its water bodies (lakes, ponds and canals) as well as wetlands. It is evident that Dhaka’s citizens forgot about the existence of most of the inner-city waters. In such perspective restoration and conservation of small stagnant ponds are ecologically very important. Urbanization of Dhaka during recent times has left a deep scar in the city’s environment. It needs some strategic decisions and quick actions to remain livable. The study attempts to trace present settlement pattern around neighborhood water bodies in Old Dhaka and explore the socio-spatial features to ascertain an appropriate role of such water bodies (ponds, khals, lakes, rivers etc.) in the rejuvenation and integration of the city fabric

Objectives

Results

Conclusion