WHEN was the last time you swam in Dhaka city, enjoyed a sunset to the sound of crickets, or marvelled at birds descending on a lake brimming with Water Lily? If your answer is a disheartened ‘never,’ you are not alone. The fact that so many of us have stopped associating urban life with nature speaks volumes of how far we have drifted from our ecological roots, especially in a city like Dhaka, which once thrived in nature’s abundance.
Dhaka was once a city intertwined with its natural environment. Rivers, wetlands, and canals defined its geography and nurtured its residents. The city’s wetlands served as natural sponges, mitigating floods and supporting biodiversity. Birds would flock to its waters, while its residents found both sustenance and solace in its natural wealth. But over the years, this relationship has deteriorated. Urban development, driven by the relentless pursuit of progress, has come at the cost of the environment. Wetlands have been filled, rivers have been encroached upon, and Dhaka’s natural resources have been treated as expendable — all for the sake of maximising plots and profits. This is not to suggest conventional planning has entirely ignored the value of nature; our building codes and planning policies, do have provisions for open spaces and public parks. But they remain simply representations of nature, a token residue that may look green but essentially is stripped of its biodiversity and vital ecological contributions. We perhaps need to imagine urban nature differently, and as I lay out the evidence, urban nature might be crucial from a socio-economic development perspective as well.Ìý
Economic value is just one part of the equation. To truly understand nature’s worth, we must consider ‘ecosystem services’ — the array of benefits ecosystems provide. These include provisioning services such as fisheries and agriculture, regulating services such as flood control and climate regulation, cultural services such as mental well-being and recreation, and supporting services such as biodiversity and habitat provision. Together, these services illustrate that nature’s value extends far beyond simplistic economic metrics, challenging the binary of nature versus economy.
But what does this mean on the ground? How can this be realised in Dhaka?
Today, Dhaka faces a crisis. Its once-abundant wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate. Between 2008 and 2020, nearly 20 per cent of the city’s wetlands were lost, according to a study by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners. What remains is often polluted and inaccessible. The consequences are dire. Water stagnation has become a regular occurrence, disrupting lives and livelihoods. The city’s drainage systems, overwhelmed by the loss of natural water retention areas, fail to cope with even moderate rainfall. Biodiversity has suffered immensely, with species that once thrived in these ecosystems pushed to the brink of extinction. And for residents, the loss is not just ecological but deeply personal. The wetlands were not merely functional spaces; they were cultural and social hubs, places where communities gathered and traditions flourished.
This is where ReWET, a visionary project led by the University of Sheffield and River and Delta Research Consultants, in collaboration with local partners like Prochesta Foundation and YouthNet Global, enters the picture. ReWET aims to restore Dhaka’s wetlands, starting with the Gulshan-Baridhara Lake. But this isn’t just about bringing back the past; it’s about reimagining the future. The project envisions a city where nature and urban life coexist harmoniously, where wetlands are not obstacles to development but integral to it.
At its core, ReWET is about nature-based solutions. It seeks to model how restoring wetlands can address urban challenges such as flooding, heat stress, and pollution while providing economic and social benefits. For example, the restoration of the Gulshan-Baridhara Lake could offer more than just aesthetic appeal. It could improve water quality, enhance biodiversity, and provide recreational spaces for residents. Moreover, it could demonstrate the economic potential of wetland restoration. A study conducted as part of the project estimates that restoring just one kilometre of the lake between Korail and Gulshan could generate an annual economic benefit of Tk 10,000 crore. This includes direct benefits like flood mitigation and indirect ones like increased property values and tourism opportunities.
Such figures are not mere speculation. Cities worldwide have shown that investing in nature pays off. Consider Singapore, often hailed as a model of urban resilience. Its Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, once a concrete drainage channel, was transformed into a vibrant wetland that now manages floods, supports biodiversity, and serves as a beloved community space. MedellÃn, Colombia, another city once plagued by urban chaos, has similarly embraced nature-based solutions, turning degraded areas into ecological parks that enhance quality of life and economic prospects. These examples show that Dhaka, too, can reclaim its natural heritage without compromising its development ambitions.
But the path to such a future is not without challenges. Restoring wetlands in a densely populated city like Dhaka requires more than just technical expertise; it demands a shift in mindset. For decades, urban planning in Dhaka has viewed wetlands as obstacles to progress. They have been filled to make way for roads, buildings, and other infrastructure, often with little regard for the long-term consequences. Changing this narrative requires demonstrating that wetlands are assets, not liabilities. It requires engaging with communities, policymakers, and developers to build a shared vision for a sustainable Dhaka.
This is where ReWET’s community-centric approach stands out. The project recognises that the success of wetland restoration depends on the involvement of those who live around them. In the case of the Gulshan-Baridhara Lake, this includes the residents of Korail, one of Dhaka’s largest informal settlements. For years, Korail’s residents have been marginalised, often blamed for the pollution of the lake while receiving little support to address the systemic issues they face. ReWET seeks to change this dynamic by involving them in the restoration process, ensuring that they are not just beneficiaries but active participants.
For example, the project includes plans for urban farming initiatives that could provide Korail’s residents with new sources of income. It also envisions creating accessible green spaces that can serve as communal areas for recreation and social interaction. These efforts are not just about ecological restoration; they’re about social justice. They recognise that a sustainable Dhaka must be inclusive, addressing the needs of all its residents, not just the privileged few.
The potential benefits of such an approach are immense. Imagine a Dhaka where wetlands act as natural cooling systems, reducing the urban heat island effect that makes summers unbearable. Imagine a city where children can play by clean lakes, where communities can gather in green spaces, and where biodiversity thrives alongside human activity. Imagine a Dhaka that leads by example, showing the world that even the most densely populated cities can harmonise development with nature.
Achieving this vision will require concerted effort and commitment. Policymakers must prioritise wetland restoration in urban planning, integrating it into broader strategies for climate resilience and sustainable development. Developers must embrace eco-friendly practices, recognising that long-term prosperity depends on environmental stewardship. And citizens must play their part, advocating for change and holding those in power accountable.
Of course, scepticism is inevitable. Some may question the feasibility of restoring wetlands in a city as congested and resource-constrained as Dhaka. Others may argue that the immediate economic benefits of development outweigh the long-term gains of conservation. But such arguments overlook the cost of inaction. The floods, heatwaves, and pollution that result from ecological degradation are not just environmental issues; they are economic and social crises that affect us all. Investing in nature-based solutions like wetland restoration is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
The question, then, is not whether Dhaka can afford to restore its wetlands but whether it can afford not to. The stakes are high, but so are the rewards. ReWET offers a blueprint for a future where Dhaka’s residents can enjoy the benefits of development without sacrificing their connection to nature. It is a vision that requires bold leadership, innovative thinking, and collective action. But most of all, it requires belief — belief that a better Dhaka is possible.
Dhaka doesn’t have to remain a city that mourns its lost natural riches. Instead, it can be a city that reclaims them — crafting an identity of resilience, sustainability, and coexistence for the 21st century. The question is: will we embrace this opportunity, or let it slip through our fingers? For those who long to swim in Dhaka’s lakes, to hear the crickets’ song at sunset, and to see birds descend on waters adorned with Water Lily, the answer should be clear.
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Dr Tanzil Shafique is an assistant professor of urban design at the University of Sheffield.
