Revitalization of Buriganga River: Through riverfront redevelopment

Abstract

Throughout decades the impact of pollution on Buriganga river has been acknowledged and studied by various researchers from a number of fields and many have also advocated the need for riving this national asset. Projects to protect the river have also been taken up by the authorities responsible for the rivers of this country. However, little change has been brought about in reality. This is essentially because, despite showing a similar trend in the deterioration process with that of other rivers around the world, every city has a unique relationship with its associated waterbody. And hence adapting solutions that have worked in other regions may not be successful in bringing the river back to life. This thesis is an attempt to unfold Dhaka’s relationship with the Buriganga river from a different standpoint. Rather than predominantly focusing on the direct contributors of pollution of Buriganga and proposing solutions to mitigate them completely, the study tries to establish how people’s participation and engagement with the river may help to not only revitalize the river but also ensure that it sustains. In order to do so a necessity take a more holistic approach and put forward a comprehensive plan to redevelop the riverfront was identified. In the detailed intervention part this idea was explored through the design of a public space at the riverfront that will act as a force to evoke a sense of responsibility towards the river.