FOR decades, Bangladesh has struggled to cope with the devastating impacts of floods and environmental degradation, leaning heavily on outdated methods and conventional civil engineering solutions. While these strategies may have provided temporary fixes, they have often failed to address the underlying, systemic issues — and in many instances, have even worsened them. As climate change accelerates and the environmental challenges become more severe, it is evident that Bangladesh can no longer rely on reactive, short-sighted measures. The nation must pivot towards self-reliance in landscape management and cutting-edge landscape technology. Only through visionary, innovative and localised approaches can Bangladesh not only reduce the damage caused by natural disasters but also unlock new avenues for sustainable development and resilience in the face of an unpredictable future.
One of the critical issues Bangladesh faces is that its development strategies have often overlooked the unique geographical and environmental context of the country. The deltaic landscape, crisscrossed by hundreds of rivers, requires a nuanced understanding of water management. Yet, we continue to rely on conventional civil engineering approaches — building embankments, dams and flood control structures — that have repeatedly proven inadequate. Have these solutions truly protected the people and land, or have they unintentionally aggravated the problem? Instead of working with the natural flow of the rivers and floodplains, these methods attempt to control and restrict water, often leading to unforeseen consequences like river erosion and displacement. Could a more holistic, landscape-based approach that harnesses nature’s own systems provide a more sustainable solution? What role can technology play in creating adaptive infrastructure that not only protects but thrives in this volatile environment?
The scale of flooding in Bangladesh is extraordinary and unique, driven by a combination of factors that make it unlike any other nation’s challenges. The sheer volume of water from the Himalayas, combined with heavy monsoon rains, creates immense pressure on the country’s rivers and floodplains. This situation is further exacerbated by water management practices in neighbouring India, where dams and barrages often release large volumes of water downstream, overwhelming Bangladesh’s already strained waterways. The complexity of this flood dynamic cannot be managed by simply replicating solutions from other countries or through fragmented, disintegrated efforts. Bangladesh’s flood challenges require solutions that are specifically tailored to its landscape — a strategy that incorporates the flow of rivers, the impact of monsoons and the interactions between neighbouring nations’ water policies. Only a holistic, well-coordinated approach can effectively address this monumental issue.
It is clear that Bangladesh needs to move beyond reactive measures and begin cultivating self-reliance in landscape management. How can we develop local expertise in landscape technology, design adaptive solutions and introduce new materials and methods that reflect the realities of a changing climate? The answers to these questions will define the future of the country’s resilience.
This is where landscape management and technology come in. Landscape architecture, with its focus on the interaction between human activity and natural systems, provides a holistic approach to these challenges. For instance, the concept of ‘sponge cities,’ which has been implemented in China, offers a perfect example of how landscape technology can be used to address flooding. Rather than relying solely on hard infrastructure, these cities use permeable surfaces, green roofs and wetlands to absorb and store rainwater, which can then be released slowly, reducing the risk of sudden flooding. Bangladesh could benefit enormously from such approaches, rethinking urban planning to incorporate natural systems that work in harmony with the environment.
Another example can be found in the Netherlands, a country known for its landscape innovation in water management. The Dutch have developed floating homes and ‘amphibious’ infrastructure that can adapt to rising water levels. This approach not only offers a long-term solution to flooding but also turns the threat of water into an opportunity for innovative design and construction. In Bangladesh, where so much of the land is flood-prone, such technologies could offer resilient housing solutions that adapt to the country’s natural water cycles.
However, innovation like this cannot happen in isolation. Bangladesh needs a coordinated national strategy that fosters research, development and local expertise in landscape management. Currently, the country’s education system is not equipped to produce the visionary thinkers required to tackle such large-scale challenges. There is no substantial academic or professional ecosystem in Bangladesh dedicated to landscape architecture, leaving a critical gap in expertise. Meanwhile, the few research efforts that exist tend to be disjointed and uncoordinated, leading to fragmented knowledge and missed opportunities for practical application.
This gap in education and research is one of the reasons why Bangladesh has failed to address its landscape issues holistically. Civil engineers have dominated the physical planning of the country, with their work focused primarily on construction and immediate problem-solving. While civil engineering is essential, it cannot replace the nuanced, integrated approach of landscape architecture, which takes into account not only the physical landscape but also social, cultural and ecological factors. Architects have begun to play a role in mitigating environmental challenges, but their focus is more on the design of individual spaces, not the broader landscape. Without a unified vision that connects all these fields, the solutions offered are often partial and ineffective.
Bangladesh’s needs go beyond just reactive measures to natural disasters. The country must also explore innovative building materials and methods that are both sustainable and adaptable to its unique environment. Bamboo, for example, could be industrialised as a sustainable building material. It is locally available, grows quickly and has significant strength and flexibility, making it ideal for flood-prone regions. Additionally, promoting a well-organised and modernised version of the use of traditional building methods and bringing in new user-friendly, innovative materials could offer cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternatives to concrete construction. These innovations could revitalise the construction sector while reducing the environmental impact of development.
To make all of this a reality, Bangladesh should establish a dedicated ministry of landscape design and management. This ministry would be tasked with creating a visionary, long-term strategy for addressing the country’s landscape challenges. It would coordinate the efforts of civil engineers, architects, researchers and the private sector, ensuring that all actions taken are part of a unified plan. This ministry could also act as a catalyst for innovation, driving the development of new technologies and methods that can be applied across the country.
Additionally, international collaboration will be vital. The challenges Bangladesh faces are not unique to the country, and there is much to be learned from other nations that have faced similar issues. By engaging with landscape architects and experts from around the world, Bangladesh can adapt global best practices to its own context. In Singapore, for example, state laws mandate the integration of landscape management into urban planning. The city-state has turned its limited land area and water challenges into strengths, creating a model for sustainability that Bangladesh could emulate.
The need for self-reliance in landscape management and critical landscape technology is not just an environmental issue — it’s an economic and social imperative. By investing in its own landscape technology and fostering a culture of innovation, Bangladesh can turn its greatest challenges into opportunities. The country sits at a geographically significant location with the potential to not only survive but thrive through intelligent, sustainable development. Managing its rivers, improving urban resilience and exploring new building materials are just the start. With the right leadership, these efforts could unlock a future of prosperity, safety and environmental harmony for the people of Bangladesh.
Ultimately, the only way to address the multifaceted, layered challenges the country faces is through a coordinated, visionary approach. Bangladesh cannot afford to continue with piecemeal solutions. It must develop its own capacity for critical landscape management, supported by a strong infrastructure of research, education and collaboration.Ìý
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Asif Khan is a Bangladeshi landscape architect based in Florida, US.
