Last updated: March 2023
Rapid urbanization and a steep increase in population determined a loss of open spaces in Dhaka, the capital and the largest city of Bangladesh. To counteract these issues, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) (one of the two municipal corporations in Dhaka, a governmental unit responsible for administering and providing basic infrastructure to the city) has implemented the Green Dhaka Campaign. One of the initiatives under the Green Dhaka Campaign is the renovation of Justice Shahabuddin Park, located in a dense area of Dhaka. (1, 6) The intervention was initiated in 2017 and consisted of revamping the park by revitalizing the existing pond, planting new trees, and providing amenities for the people living in the neighbourhood where the park is located. The design decisions were taken by prioritising the opinions of different user groups and in consultation with naturalists. The idea of the 9-acre park was to create a safe, "inclusive and accessible public space for all inhabitants, free of crime and violence". (2) The renovation also consisted in retaining the majority of trees present in the park, as they offered a variety of species such as medicinal trees, fruit trees, and floral trees. This helped with preserving the biodiversity of the space as well as a healthy environment, lauded by the majority of visitors, making the park a favourite of the locals. Three distinct lanes are also made available in the park for jogging, walking, and cycling. (1,2,3,4)
Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park
Source: (Ref 2)
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Lakes/ponds
- Parks and urban forests
- Large urban parks or forests
Key challenges
- Environmental quality
- Waste management
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Green space creation and/or management
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Effective management
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Social interaction
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Protection of natural ecosystems
Project objectives
The goals of the intervention were tailored to the area the park was located in as they took into account the characteristics of the neighbourhood, Gulshan. Gulshan is home to approx. 250,000 inhabitants (as of 2011) and has a considerable population density. Therefore the aims of the intervention were:
1. To create green areas for group activities that might advance society's intellectual and physical development.
2. To ensure public participation, and to bring community people into public space by providing opportunities to join the park's consultation as well as building an amphitheatre.
3. To promote walkability and cycling towards improving health and well-being.
4. To restore and conserve ecosystems by preserving existing trees and planting trees such as medicinal, fruits, and flower trees.
5. To encourage a healthy and clean environment with available waste management systems.
6. To transform the park to be considered the lung of the Gulshan area of the capital. (1,2,3,5)
Implementation activities
The intervention was initiated in 2017 and it involved planting and conserving medicinal, flower and fruit trees such as Holy basil, Justicina Adhatoda, Neem (medicinal trees), Gardenia jasminoides, Garden croton, Singapore daisy (flower plants), Jackfruit, Mango, Blackberry, Lichi trees and many others as the area is rich in different species of trees. Furthermore, the intervention removed the plants which were not environment-friendly and replanted species considered better suited for the climate of Dhaka, after long consultations with naturalists. The project built a library, a gym and a club for females as well as a basketball court and a separate space for children. An amphitheatre (MPtheater) with a seating capacity of 400 people has been constructed for recreation and cultural promotion. (1,2,3,4,5)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect valued species
- Means for conservation governance
- Public engagement
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore valued species
- Public engagement
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
- Marginalized groups: People with functional diversities
- Young people and children
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
- Co-management/Joint management
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The initiative was led by the Dhaka North City Corporation who was the funder and who commissioned local companies as implementers of this initiative. The park was designed by Foundation Architects and PF Corporation was the contractor. Furthermore, in the future, the management of the park will be different (joint management) from other parks in the city in the sense that is expected that the cleanliness, safety and maintenance will be managed by the Dhaka North City Corporation while the local body will oversee if people are using the facilities properly. (1, 2)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
No
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(The initiative was the result of the Green Dhaka Campaign. (1))
Financing
Total cost
€500,000 - €2,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
No
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Environmental quality
- Improved waste management
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Reduced biodiversity loss
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Fair distribution of social, environmental and economic benefits of the NBS project
- Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
- Safety
- Increased perception of safety
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts, No impacts reported
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. Ariful I M (2021).The Business Standard Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park: An example of an ideal city park. URL: Source link (Accessed on 01 February 2023).
2. Vitti Sthapati Brindo Ltd. (n.d). Justice Shahabuddin AhmedPark URL: Source link (Accessed on 01 February 2023).
3. Jagonews. (2020). প্রায় ১৭০০ বৃক্ষের সন্নিবেশে সজ্জিত বিচারপতি শাহাবুদ্দিন পার্ক. URL: Source link (Accessed on 01 February, 2023).
4. Kalerkantho (2020).নতুন সাজে বিচারপতি শাহাবুদ্দিন আহমদ পার্ক. URL: Source link (Accessed on 01 February, 2023).
5. Daily Inqilab (2020). বিচারপতি শাহাবুদ্দিন আহমদ পার্ক উদ্বোধন. URL: Source link (Accessed on 01 February, 2023).
6. The Daily Star (2022), Are 'open spaces' really open?, URL: Source link (Accessed on 01 March, 2023)
2. Vitti Sthapati Brindo Ltd. (n.d). Justice Shahabuddin AhmedPark URL: Source link (Accessed on 01 February 2023).
3. Jagonews. (2020). প্রায় ১৭০০ বৃক্ষের সন্নিবেশে সজ্জিত বিচারপতি শাহাবুদ্দিন পার্ক. URL: Source link (Accessed on 01 February, 2023).
4. Kalerkantho (2020).নতুন সাজে বিচারপতি শাহাবুদ্দিন আহমদ পার্ক. URL: Source link (Accessed on 01 February, 2023).
5. Daily Inqilab (2020). বিচারপতি শাহাবুদ্দিন আহমদ পার্ক উদ্বোধন. URL: Source link (Accessed on 01 February, 2023).
6. The Daily Star (2022), Are 'open spaces' really open?, URL: Source link (Accessed on 01 March, 2023)
Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park
Source: (Ref 2)
Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park
Source: (Ref 2)
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the "NBS 2022" UNA Asian extension project funded by the Asia-Europe Foundation.