Wahida Rahman Nipun and Farhana Hoque
Abstract
The foundations of human civilization have grown based on water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and canals. Almost all significant ancient civilizations, such as Mesopotamia, the Nile Valley, Mohenjo-Daro, and Harappa, had originated on river banks. As all living creatures require water and life cannot be sustained without it, modern urban areas are also developed using the same principles, with the source of water or catchment region being nearby. Urban water bodies serve a multi-functional role in the metropolis, alongside being a source of water for agriculture, irrigation, fishing, landscaping, and ecotourism, all of which have a positive social impact. It can also be utilized to prevent water logging and mitigate the heat island effects in order to improve urban microclimates. However, increased human interference and intervention in catchment areas have also accelerated the processes of siltation and sedimentation within these water bodies. Therefore, it is essential to give sufficient weight to the planning and retention processes. Otherwise, without proper management of urban water bodies, it can also affect the urban area. Shamasundori, a 16-kilometer-long artificial canal that runs through the Rangpur metropolis, is a more than 129-year-old traditional canal which is being hampered because of pollution and illegal occupancy. This study analyzes the Shamasundori canal’s impact on Rangpur city. The study aims to address the importance of retention of the canal. The paper evaluated the historical and current developments in the Shamasundori Canal using statistical analysis. Based on the field survey, existing canal information will be collected and with the help of the literature studies, urban water bodies planning strategies and restoration policies will be assembled. Finally, the paper will discuss the need to preserve the canal and a few environmental benefits which could happen through restoring the canal.
Keywords: Environmental benefits, Retention, Shamasundori Khal, Urban waterbodies.
1. Introduction
Water, as one of the most vital natural resources for life, has always played a significant role in the establishment and formation of settlements in most parts of the world throughout the history of modern civilization. Before urban modernization, as rivers, streams, springs and groundwater were the only source of water, human settlements used to be formed around them (Kurochkina, 2020). Water creates magical and exciting environments that strengthen the settlements of the city’s cohesion and sustainability. Many modern cities are blessed to have inland water sources whereas some lack a comprehensive waterfront. Some cities often have urban waterways like rivers and canals however, others usually cut through their urban fabric to meet the need for water (Rahana.H, 2020). Many inland water sources are used to serve multiple purposes such as drainage, irrigation, water supply, hydroelectric power generation, and navigation. Although, the metabolization of water to serve urban consumption through drinking, agriculture, irrigation, fishing, wastewater, landscaping, ecotourism, and canals to prevent water logging or reduce heat island effects is a necessary but understudied aspect of urbanization in Bangladeshi cities. Owing to the fact that the constant negligence and lack of maintenance of rivers and canals, is now an emerging issue of urbanization in most of cities. Many rivers and canals now must be regulated and maintained to make them fully navigable, allowing vessels to move from one water level to another due to the lay of the topography and particularly changes in water levels. It is essential that we must shift our focus to urban blue spaces in order to maximize and accelerate their potential for urban growth. Water as an asset in urban living can be reintroduced by integrating water systems with urban development. There are multiple tools and methods available for developing innovative integrated water systems (Davies, 2022).
The urban canal is one of the unique structures in the city that can provide ecological resources, economic benefits, and opportunities for socialization and recreation for city dwellers. Canals allowed cities to thrive, establishing well-known epicenters such as Venice, Suzhou, and Amsterdam. Waterways evolved into streets, complete with shops, restaurants, and residences. Canal architecture is inherently concerned with liminal situations. While canals can be built by damming, dredging, or modifying existing river paths, but these methods are typically associated with larger urban development (Baldwin, 2021).
Based on the most recent objective studies from fieldwork in Rangpur metropolitan city, the studied canal, Shamashundori, is basically a channel that connects two points of the Ghaghot river that flows through the city. The canal, Shamashundori, which was once excavated for the improvement of the town, is now in very poor condition, causing misery in the city. The canal flows naturally throughout the city. The canal has served the city for many years but has never been properly upgraded or preserved. Though, according to the Rangpur divisional town master plan 2010-2030, The primary land uses in waterfront regions are for leisure and commercial purposes. However, without understanding the quality of urban space, standards, the morphology of the area and guidelines for waterfront development, and urban design principles and technique, it is very challenging to implement the desired land use based on an outline zoning plan, which is more of a quantitative approach (Karmaker, 2022).
Thus, this study. which are both intimate and expansive in scale, are concluded through lively sections and hierarchical layouts of canal Shamasundori, as well as aims to identify a set of performance measurement indicators that will provide contextual findings for Rangpur and evaluate the existing canal system’s performance, because using indicators appropriate for cities in developed countries may not provide a realistic visualization for the city. The research focuses on the potential solutions that celebrate the dynamics of modern canals and landscapes.
2. Literature Review
2.1. Canal’s Evolution and Classification
The Old French term channel, which means “channel,” is where the word “canal” first appeared (Bhuiyan, n.d.). A manmade open waterway is a canal. It has a natural channel or perceptible depression with water flowing through it consistently or sporadically, or it serves as a connector between other bodies of water (Banglapedia, 2021).
In the past, canals were frequently employed to reduce the distance between two sites (Dutta & Sarkar, 2020). For example, the Rhine-Marne canal was built to connect two rivers. Besides, Canals were presumably initially designed for irrigation, but as technology advanced, they were also made for navigation. Ship travel distances have decreased because of canals, such as the Suez Canal (finished in 1869) and the Panama Canal (1914). The invention of modern technologies and creative design approaches have made it possible to build canals for both international trade and inland water transportation (Dutta & Sarkar, 2020).
Based on construction, there are two categories of canals, conveyance canals, and navigation canals. Conveyance canals are dug to transport water for agriculture, drainage, or power. Conveyance canals are often walled with earth, narrow, and capable of quickly moving large volumes of water. The most crucial factors in canal building are water availability, differences in land and water levels, slope. It is reported that the construction of irrigation canals in Bengal began more than 3,000 years ago. Since that time, building conveyance canals has become a common practice nationwide. Navigation Canal construction is done to aid navigation (Banglapedia, 2021).
The types of canals extend beyond their key functions. Some of the main functions of canals include carrying stormwater in the event of severe rains, safeguarding the nearby area from flooding, directly affecting the microclimate of the area, giving the public much-needed visual comfort, balancing the environment, and preventing pollution levels. Depending on certain criteria, these have been categorized into a variety of types (Dutta & Sarkar, 2020). Table 1 below lists them all.
Table 1. Classification of Canal based on different parameters. [Source: (Bhuiyan, n.d.), (Banglapedia, 2021)]
SL.NO PARAMETER CLASSIFICATIONS OF CANAL 1. Based on Usage Conveyance Navigation 2. Based on Construction Aqueducts Waterways 2. Based on Discharge Main canal Branch canal Major distributary Minor distributary Watercourse or field channel 3. Based on Provider Unlined canal Lined canal 4. Based on Alignment Contour canal Watershed canal Side slope canal
2.2. Canal-oriented Development
The city and the canal coexist peacefully according to multidimensional behavioral patterns that produce benefits for both parties. Both share a mutually beneficial existence that may be observed in terms of their physical and functional traits. Therefore, it is difficult to keep the city and the canal in constant equilibrium as they develop (Soumyadeep & Sanghamitra, 2020).
The goal of canal-oriented development (COD), a placemaking idea, is to build mixed-use communities along canal banks by utilizing the waterfront’s appeal and practicality as a natural magnet for societal and economic activity (Buckman, 2017).
The primary benefit of COD is that it gives developers the freedom to build on a large number of sites along the area it drains. Dependent on the feeling of place created by water sensitivity, there may be separate zones along the route based on activity and size. Neighborhood and public areas are constructed focusing on sustainability and functionally solved infrastructure (Soumyadeep & Sanghamitra, 2020).
COD can use as a redevelopment or design tool. The canals would use to encourage waterfront development, which is enlisted below:
-By promoting pedestrian activity on foot,
-For leisure and recreational purposes, spaces could create in canal surroundings.
-When appropriate, offering the ideal calming backdrop for construction projects.
-Transit-oriented development (TOD) on inland waterways for the transportation of people and goods.
-Support the local economy for the neighborhood’s residents (Buckman, 2017).
-Keep the natural equilibrium intact (Bindu & Mohamed, 2016) .
-Ensure environmental safety of waterbody (Kurochkina, 2020).
2.3. Environmental Benefits of Water body
2.3.1. Mitigate water clogging
Flooding is a typical occurrence in Bangladesh during the monsoon season, although its frequency and severity have grown recently. Despite numerous factors, the area’s inactive and haphazard drainage system is one of the primary causes (Sabnam et al., 2021).
It is discovered from a case in Chennai that every lake there has a natural flood discharge route that drains the spillover. Water bodies mitigate water clogging and reduce flooding. However, building infrastructure over water bodies prevents water from flowing freely (Wan et al., 2020).
2.3.2. Reduce on heat island effect
The urban heat island effect, or the phenomenon in which cities are warmer than their rural environs, occurs in almost every metropolis. Cities retain more heat than open, unpaved areas due to their high building density and paved surfaces. Cities can experience temperature differences of 3 to 7 degrees at night and 1 to 3 degrees during the day, with temperatures rising even more in clear, calm weather. The energy requirements for heating and cooling as well as the local ecosystems can all be significantly impacted by the heat island effect. Understanding how the water cycle operates is crucial for reducing these risks (Climate, 2016).
Water bodies effectively absorb shortwaves via evaporation and have efficient emissivity. On the other hand, the water surface energy can also go through water bodies through conduction, convection, and advection. Investigative investigations revealed that 100-meter-long water bodies on a small scale can lower heat during the day (Kemarau & Eboy, 2020). Urban water basins that are commonly open and surrounded by trees provide cooling on hot days (Jacobs et al., 2020).
2.4. Water Policies of Bangladesh
The water policy was established in 1999, approximately 16 years back (Government of Bangladesh, 1999). Bangladesh’s most recent and significant water policy is the 2013 Water Act. It incorporates information from earlier water rules and supersedes all earlier water-related regulations (WARPO, n.d.). In addition, several other regulations cross over and relate to the canal, such as The Environment Conservation Act of 1995, the National Policy for Safe, Water Supply & Sanitation 1998, and the Integrated Small-Scale Irrigation Policy 2011.
The gap between water policy and practice illustrated the following:
- The Water Act of 2013 is generally a solid policy. However, several areas, including water pollution and the provision of drinking water, are not effectively addressed, and there are some inconsistencies with prior water policies and other related policies.
- There are conflicts in scope where it is unclear which agency is in charge of carrying out specific operations. In addition, there are scope inconsistencies where it is unclear which agency is in charge of carrying out specific tasks.
- The requirements for implementing mechanisms could be improved in some ways, but overall, the mechanisms are adequate (Petrie et al., 2015).
- Another critical problem is that most people are not sufficiently aware of the importance of efficient water use, according to field observations (Kabir & Das, 2015).
- The integration of natural water bodies or channels into urban planning and design framework is not specified by any building construction regulations, building codes, planning regulations, or wetland acts in Bangladesh (Mowla, 2013).
2.5. Water Retention Measures
Natural water retention measures (NWRMs) serve a variety of purposes. By restoring or sustaining ecosystems as well as the natural features and qualities of water bodies through natural means and processes, it seeks to safeguard water resources and manage water-related concerns. Enhancing the retention capacity of aquifers, soil, and aquatic and water-dependent ecosystems is the principal objective of adopting NWRM to improve their state. The use of NWRM promotes green infrastructure, enhances the quantitative state of water bodies in general, and lessens a region’s susceptibility to floods and droughts (Zeleňáková et al., 2017).
Selected policy initiatives are shown in Figure 1(A). NWRM can contribute to Water Framework, Green infrastructure, Climate change adaptation strategy, and Flood Directives goals.(Zeleňáková et al., 2017) Aquifer recharge, large-scale floodplain and wetland restoration, small-scale ponds, and soil conservation techniques are a few examples of the diverse strategies that formulate NWRM. They can be categorized into four groups, as shown in Figure 1 (B) (Cis et al., 2014).
3. Methodology
The study uses both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Different secondary data have been gathered from various sources for the quantitative analysis. On the other hand, primary data have been used in qualitative analysis. Besides, the full investigation was conducted from 1 June 2022 to 15 October 2022. The research framework provides a diagrammatic summary of the procedures followed during the research process and its results. See figure 2 below.
The research work has not made use of any theoretical assessment model. First, a discussion of related terms based on a survey of the literature will aid in understanding some definitions and contexts for this issue. The literature review has helped highlight the value of having water bodies in urban design and the advantages the canal Shamasundori offers for the environment. In order to analyze chronological changes, satellite photos were used to examine present condition of Shamasundori Canal. The analysis uses zoning map to provide information. Information about the existing canals will be gathered based on the field survey and with the assistance of the key interview informants. In addition, both primary and secondary data contribute to our understanding of the canal’s morphology. According to the site survey, a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) is performed here—these aids in the search for potential canal planning schemes and retention policies. In order to investigate various suggestions for urban water body design strategy, some case studies are also examined. After that, some design strategies have applied comparing the existing canal area. Finally, future research possibilities have also discussed.
4. Study Area Profile
This study focuses on Rangpur’s canal network and morphological structures. Rangpur, one of Bangladesh’s newest city corporations, is endowed with natural resources such as open spaces, parks, and water bodies in the heart of the city. It is geographically located between 25°56′ North latitudes and 89°25′ East longitudes. RpCC [Rangpur City Corporation] covers an area of 203.63 square kilometers and has a population of 7,96,556 people divided into 33 wards. Rangpur is situated on the banks of the river Ghagat, a tributary of the Teesta. The canal, Shamasundori, is a branch of the Ghaghat river that runs through the city [Figure 3].
4.1. Historical Background of Shamasundori
Rangpur, one of the country’s oldest municipalities, was established as a District Seat (Zila Sadar) on December 16, 1769, and as a municipality in 1869. According to folklore, the canal, Shamasundoriwas excavated in 1890 under the supervision of Raja Janaki Ballav Sen as part of the development of the city area in memory of his mother, Queen Shyama Sundari. He was the son of Rangpur zamindar, Chaudhurani Shyam Sundari Devi (Devi Chaudhurani) and Raja Janaki vallabh Sen. He was the Chairman of Rangpur Municipality from 1892 to 1894 and later served as Honorary Magistrate, Chairman of the Local Board, and District Board Member. In 1891, he was crowned as king. According to the legend, Rangpur once had an outbreak of malaria, diarrhoea, cholera, and spring fever due to waterlogging as there was no proper sewage system in this area and many people are said to have died prematurely as a result of that. Throughout that outbreak, the queen bride of Dimla, Chaudhurani Shyama Sundari Devi had also died prematurely of malaria due to the bite of that mosquito which was fostered due to water logging of the city. (Apple, 21.03.2016) Soon afterward, Janaki Ballav Sen, her bereaved son, dug this canal in memory of his mother for eight years, from 1890 to 1898., to prevent the mosquito infestation in Rangpur city.(Huda, Jan 14, 2020) (Jalil, 2014).
4.2. Morphological Analysis of Study Area
Rangpur City Corporation is divided into 33 wards. The core city is divided into wards 12 to 30, with 16-28 wards holding majority of the population and residences (Sabnam et al., 2021). Shamasundori, a 16-kilometer-long artificial canal is a branch of the Ghaghat river in Rangpur, Bangladesh, was excavated for the improvement of the town, in 1890. The canal runs from the Kellaband Ghaghat river in the north-west through all of the city’s neighborhoods, including Pashari Para, Kerani Para, Munsi Para, Engineer Para, Gomsta Para, Sen Para, Mulatol, through Tentultala, Nurpur, Bairagipara to the Mahiganj Satmatha Railgate area, where it meets the KD Canal and rejoins the Khoksa Ghaghat river. Water from the Teesta used to flow into the Ghaghat river and that water flowed through the Shamasundoricanal before rejoining the Ghaghat. This river was once navigable. As a result, many commercial zones like Nawabganj and Mirganj, had been developed in Rangpur throughout that time period. However, the rivers changed its course as a result of the 1787 earthquake and this branch of the Ghaghat river had died at some point. Since the establishment of Rangpur City Corporation and division, the population has grown to over one million people. Large buildings, business establishments, restaurants, and houses have been constructed near the Shamasundori canal, occupying the canal space. According to legend, the canal was initially 40 to 120 feet wide, which has been now narrowed down into 8 to 10 feet width for negligence over the time.
Rangpur city corporations has no natural or man-made forests. However, there is ample cropland for farming. The main planted trees here are homestead forest and roadside trees. According to the land use map [Figure 4], planted trees and farm land are declining slowly, owing primarily to urbanization. This is a result of the transformation of farm lands into urban areas, as well as other development activities. According to the land use maps, all of these changes occurred in the city’s north-western suburbs. The majority of farmland is lying on the city’s southern and northern outskirts, with a rising residential zone in between [Figure 4].
4.3. Statistical Analysis of Waterlogging Problem of the Study Area
Rangpur is a major metropolitan city in northern Bangladesh with a population of around 16000000 people. Water logging is one of the major problems in the Rangpur City. Previously, this particular region of Bangladesh was known as a drought prone area due to a lack of rainfall. However, during the monsoon season from June to August, the study area receives medium to heavy rainfall. In recent years, there has been a rise in the intensity of rainfall. In September, 2020, the majority of the city has been submerged because of excessive rainfall in a short period of time during the monsoon season. By breaking a 60-year rainfall record, a 433 mm rainfall in 12 hours flooded the whole city for almost two days. The residents of the city experienced at least 2 foot or 3 foot water congestion throughout this. Figure 5 portrays the amount of average rainfall in millimeters from 2001 to 2020, indicating that rainfall in this area is gradually increasing.
The number of days with water logging has grown as rainfall has increased as shown in Table 2. This has been more apparent in recent years. Every year during the monsoon, Hanuman Tola, Islambagh, New Jummapara, Munshipara, Keranipara, Robertsonganj, Kotowali Thana region, Mahiganj, Haragachh, Shalban, Ganeshpur, Kamarpara, Mulatol, Masterpara, Bonanipara, and Lalbagh experience the most severe scenario.
Table 2. Number of day’s water logging. [Source: (Sabnam et al., 2021)]
The primary causes of this crisis are the inactivity and deterioration of the Shamasundori canal, which runs through the city. The topographical condition, insufficient and inefficient drainage system, minimal maintenance, and lack of dredging has also worsened the situation. Geographically the central Rangpur City is lower in elevation compared to the surrounding areas, which eventually leads to water logging. Again, due to increased population, the number of open lands and ponds is decreasing, and a poor drainage system prevents rainwater from draining away, intensifying the severity of water logging. Here, Figure 6 depicts the spatial degree and extent of flood vulnerability in the Rangpur district as determined by spatial vulnerability mapping (Sabnam et al., 2021).
The Shamasundori canal connects to the Gaghat river, a branch of the Teesta which runs through the Gaibandha, Rangpur and Nilphamari. When the peak level of the Teesta rises during the monsoon, the peak level of the Ghaghat rises as well. If the flow of the Shamasundori canal remains uninterrupted, the likelihood of flooding in Rangpur district is reduced. Table 3 shows the peak water level of the Ghaghat river during the monsoon season from 1998 to 2007 and 2020, respectively.
Table 3. Comparison of Hydrograph on Ghagot at Gaibandha. [Source: (BWDB, 2020)]
4.4. Circulation & Accessibility of the Canal
The Shamasundori canal, a Ghaghat river brunch, runs from Baktarpur, CO bazar area (25°46’24.6″N 89°13’15.8″E) in the north-west through the city and rejoins the Khoksa Ghaghat river near Sekh para in the south-east (25°41’09.4″N 89°15’21.3″E). The canal traverses through all of the city’s neighborhoods, including residential, commercial and farmland area. Running through passing Pashari Para, Kerani Para, Munsi Para, Engineer Para, Gomsta Para, Sen Para, Mulatol, Tentultala, Nurpur, Bairagipara, Mahiganj Satmatha Railgate area, to Sekh para the canal never lost its connection as well as near Satmatha Rail gate area, it splits into two sections that eventually meet the Chikli lake and Ghaghat river accordingly. The city’s road network was built considering the flow of canal and bridge and box culverts were installed when required [Figure 7].
4.5. Existing Condition of the Canal
The Shamasundori canal, which once was an exhilarating source of natural beauty and clear water, has now become a source of misery for the city’s residents due to human activity. There are hardly any water flows through the canal right now, on the other hand, it has lost her beauty as a result of negligence over the years. Because of the canal’s black-colored polluted water and stench of garbage, it is now difficult to even walk along it. According to the locals, the 16-kilometer canal has been narrowed to eight to ten feet in many places, making it an extremely dirty place and a breeding ground for mosquitos and other diseases. Furthermore, it overflows and causes flooding and water-logging in the city whenever it rains. People concerned blamed the canal’s poor condition on widespread encroachment, waste dumping, and a lack of re-excavation. Nonetheless, some residents even had connected their home’s sewerage system to the canal.
Although the then chairman of Rangpur municipality, AKM Abdur Rauf Manik, took the initiative in February 2012 to renovate the 12 km Shamasundari canal, build and excavate a bridge over the canal, and call for a tender to the local government engineering department within a budget of Tk around 25crore, but the contracting firms disregarded the rules and billed without completing the work. According to a source in Nagar Bhavan, the tender called for boulders to be installed on both sides of the Shyamasundari Canal for 12 kilometers, footpaths to be built on both sides of the canal, and three bridges to be built over the canal. However, no work has been done on the three kilometers between the Sadar Hospital and the Grand Hotel Mor via Gomstapara, apart from the park adjacent to the Keramatiya Mosque in Kerani para road (Figure 8, image D), only place, where the boulders were placed on both sides of some parts of the canal, footpaths were built on both sides of the canal and three bridges were constructed without digging the canal at all (Sajjad Hossain Bappi, 11.02.2019) (Nazrul Islam Razu, 05.02.2022).
Incidentally, an embankment has been constructed at some point along the canal near Baktarpur, as the Cantonment is close by (Figure 8, image A). Other places, however, such as Satmatha (Figure 8, image G), Mahiganj (Figure 8, image H), and Tajhat (Figure 8, image I), have no development like this except for the existing culvert that connects both sides of the canal. The canal, on the other hand, is treated as the back side of the residential zone in some areas, such as Pasari para (Figure 8, image B), Kotki para (Figure 8, image C), Honumantola (Figure 8, image E), and Kotowali thana (Figure 8, image F). Even though it is considered the backside of the house, a walking path exists on both sides of the canal in some areas such as Pasari para (Figure 8, image B) and Kotki para (Figure 8, image C).
The SWOT diagram in the study area has shown in Table 4.
Table 4. The SWOT Diagram of the study.
5. Result and Discussion
To solve the existing problem strategic measure, need to be taken. The most damaged sites should be located first in order to address the water logging and pollution issues. According to their degree of vulnerability, such locations should likewise receive priority. The matter will be resolved by authorities after analysis of the field survey. With the rising population and home size, drainage facilities need to be improved and regulated.
The local population must be taken into account when designing the canal. There is adequate room along the canal in many places to build recreational areas for locals. This will provide canal connectivity to the inhabitants. The design development process can open to community members as well. Like this, they will have a sense of belongings for the canal. However, safety measures must also be properly considered as well.
The study offers several applications at the planning level based on the parameter discussion in the upper portion. The following section contains several conceptual design options for the Keranipara, the Kotki Para, and the Kotowali thana roads.
The Shamasundori runs through a variety of areas in Rangpur, including residential, business, and recreational areas. Both the site and the canal’s surroundings would be modified based on various land uses.
In the initial stage of planning, water recycling, excavation of the canal, and proper waste management will help to improve the living conditions of the surroundings. Then, the minimal intervention of nature will preserve the environment in its harmonious state.
For public spaces like Keranipara Road, the placemaking concept could be applied where a connection could build up between the public and the place [Figure 9]. The design must be eco-friendly and sustainable also. People would stay in the region and create memories if there are more pedestrian walkways, rest areas, and activity areas. Since the area needs more recreational activities, food carts, kid-friendly areas, and cycling zone are suggested to draw more visitors.
The Kotki para road and the Kotowali thana road are residential areas. It is very important to consider the surroundings when designing because the surroundings are necessary element of the design. As neither residential area considered the canal to be its front, the area could be more vibrant with additional public activity. On the Kotki para road, there is less space on both sides of the existing canal. As a result, elevated decks are proposed in figure 10 as a recreational space that welcomes the canal water to flow naturally during the usual tidal flow and rainy season (Hoque & Sadia, 2018). Besides, fishing spots or boating excursions would increase the number of entertainment options for locals.
According to figure 11, cycling lanes, planter boxes, and pedestrian walkways are recommended designing for Kotowali thana Road. The aesthetic attractiveness of the area may be improved by placing street furniture around the planter box. Additionally, residents could use the walkway to exercise in the morning. Since the canal is narrow, the retaining wall construction technique would follow instead of embankment.
Overall, in order to provide protection, the railing should be used on both sides of the canal when designing around it. The installation of streetlights will also ensure safety. Apart from that, soft pavement would be preferred over hard pavement for walkways because it is pervious to manage stormwater in the walkable area.
6. Conclusion
Waterbodies must be considered in city development since different types of water features play multiple functions for cities. Sometimes, the waterbodies carry include historical tales. Additionally, the presence of waterbodies contributes to the creation of a bond between the surrounding people and the place. So, it is crucial to protect those for both the environment and people.
The study examined that the Shamasundari canal, which was dug to keep the city clean, has now become a source of pollution. The canal functioning contexts are at risk. As a result, the area needs to be preserved for its historical and cultural significance. The study illustrates a few potential water-oriented development strategies and the advantages of conservation for the environment. Finally, the results of the study highlight how crucial it is to preserve the Shamasundari canal. The study has a limited timeline and did not explore pragmatic approach. Hence, there is scope for in depth study in the design and the planning level where community intervention of the design implication could be discussed.
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About the Authors
Wahida Rahman Nipun has recently completed her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh. She has worked as a research assistant on the subject of “An Architectural Research Addressing Post-COVID-19 Challenges in the Urban Environment of Sylhet and Chattogram, Bangladesh.” As a student of architecture, she aspires to use architecture as a tool for any social issue as well as to induce the community to engage with it. Her commitment intensified as she participated in a workshop on low-cost housing, where she witnessed the remarkable impact of community efforts organized by Habitat for Humanity International in 2016. Therefore, her academic and research interests include community-based architecture focusing on informal urbanism, the cultural significance of urban spaces, sustainability, and resilience.
Farhana Hoque, an architecture graduate from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) is an academician whose fields of study have been linked to sustainable community development and urban design, particularly in the theme of waterscapes. At present, she is employed as a lecturer at Leading University, Sylhet, Bangladesh. However, apart from working as an academician, she is actively involved in social and volunteer work. In 2022, she received a grant from the British Council for her research work. She has also participated as a speaker in a panel discussion session on the topic of “Women in Innovation and Technology” at the Women in Leadership Summit 2023. Farhana is an optimistic individual who believes that any function could be resolved by analysis and investigation, as depicted in her work.
