Last updated: June 2024
Hatirjheel area development project is a wetland restoration project that explores the possibility of reintroducing water edge elements into the city of Dhaka. The project includes both engineered infrastructure and NbS. The restored jheel (wetland) and Begunbari khal have improved storm-water management of Dhaka and made aquatic biodiversity better. It also increased green and open space in the busy capital. The intended objective of the project was to create a bridge between the densely developed old part of the city on the south and the new organised north part of the city. Spreading over 311 acres, this project has endeavoured towards improving connectivity between major urban corridors as well as acting as a retention pond to mitigate the flash flood-prone densely populated part of the area. [1,2]
Hatirjheel area with newly developed bridges and greeneries
https://architectureprize.com/winners/winner.php?id=2765
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Lakes/ponds
- In-land wetlands, peatlands, swamps, and moors
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Flood protection
- Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
- Improvements to water quality
Focus
Creation of semi-natural blue areas, Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas, Transformation of previously derelict areas
Project objectives
1. To ensure the protection of required area for stormwater retention thereby minimizing the risk of flooding of the adjoining areas as well as reducing related environmental hazards.
2. To restore the degraded environment of the Hatirjheel area by transforming this wastewater canal into a freshwater lake and reviving its biodiversity.
3. To connect an important east-west missing link between two major arterial roads namely the Tongi Diversion Road and the Pragati Shwarani through constructing a peripheral road system in an effort to minimize traffic congestion of the area. [3, 4]
Implementation activities
The development of Hatirjheel area was carried out by developing the Jheel ( water body) and constructions of above grade overpasses and at grade waterside roadway, reclaimed waterways, circular bus bay, vehicular parking spaces, a children's park, viewing decks, walkways and footpaths. [1, 3, 4]
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Restore wetlands and/or coastal ecosystems to dissipate the effects of flooding and/or storms
- Implement sustainable urban drainage infrastructure (e.g. to make space for water)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Preserve and strengthen habitat connectivity
- Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect species
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Unknown
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
Implementation Authority: RAJUK (Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha); Developer: VITTI Sthapati Brindo Ltd; Architect: Iqbal Habib, Ishtiaque Zahir, Ehsan Khan; Engineer: M.A. Sobhan, Sabbir Siddique (Structure), Md. Aynal Gazi Engineer (Structure), AIA(Supervision); Master Plan Consultant: Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology; Executive Authority: 16 ECB, SWD-WEST, Bangladesh Army.
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
No
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(National Water Policy, National Water Management Plan. [5])
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(Natural Water Body Protection and Preservation of Open Space and Playground Act' 2000. [5])
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
- Public national budget
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved water quality
- Increased protection against flooding
- Improved stormwater management
- Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Reduced biodiversity loss
Economic impacts
- Reduce financial cost for urban management
- Attraction of business and investment
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. VITTI Sthapati Brindo Ltd (n.d.). Integrated Development of Hatirjheel Area Including Begunbari Canal. URL: Source link. Accessed on 1st October, 2021.
2. Irfanullah, H. M. (2021). Nature-based solutions for our towns and cities. The Daily Star. URL: Source link. Accessed on 1st October, 2021.
3. Jalal, M. R. (2012). Report on Integrated Development of Hatirjheel Area including Begunbari Khal Project. Institute of Water and Flood Management, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. URL: Source link. Accessed on 1st October, 2021.
4. Khan,S.K., Sharif, M.N., Jahan, K., Billah, M.M., Mostafiz, M.Y. (2015). PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF THE HATIRJHEEL PROJECT OF BANGLADESH & CURRENT STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICE. International Conference on Recent Innovation in Civil Engineering for Sustainable Development(IICSD-2015). Department of Civil Engineering, DUET - Gazipur, Bangladesh. URL: Source link. Accessed on 1st October, 2021.
5. The Daily Star (2015) Hatirjheel to offer more entertainment facilities. URL: Source link. Accessed on 3rd October, 2021.
2. Irfanullah, H. M. (2021). Nature-based solutions for our towns and cities. The Daily Star. URL: Source link. Accessed on 1st October, 2021.
3. Jalal, M. R. (2012). Report on Integrated Development of Hatirjheel Area including Begunbari Khal Project. Institute of Water and Flood Management, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. URL: Source link. Accessed on 1st October, 2021.
4. Khan,S.K., Sharif, M.N., Jahan, K., Billah, M.M., Mostafiz, M.Y. (2015). PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF THE HATIRJHEEL PROJECT OF BANGLADESH & CURRENT STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICE. International Conference on Recent Innovation in Civil Engineering for Sustainable Development(IICSD-2015). Department of Civil Engineering, DUET - Gazipur, Bangladesh. URL: Source link. Accessed on 1st October, 2021.
5. The Daily Star (2015) Hatirjheel to offer more entertainment facilities. URL: Source link. Accessed on 3rd October, 2021.
Hatirjheel area with newly developed bridges and greeneries
https://architectureprize.com/winners/winner.php?id=2765
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the UNA global extension project funded by the British Academy.