Sarah Bashneen Suchana
Assistant professor
Department of Architecture, Stamford University Bangladesh, Dhaka
Sheikh Itmam Soud
Lecturer
Department of Architecture, Stamford University Bangladesh, Dhaka
Syma Haque Trisha
Lecturer
Department of Architecture, Stamford University Bangladesh, Dhaka
Small Stagnant Ponds, Urbanization, Sustainability, Dhaka
Department of Architecture, Stamford University Bangladesh, Dhaka
Crop-Soil-Water Management
A socio-environmental survey (quantitative & qualitative) with direct observation, in-depth interviews of the users (local people), water sample collection (500 ml) & laboratory test for water quality, in addition fixed-point photographic data which were collected for each site at regular intervals throughout the years (2010-2012) using a digital camera. This data has been used to assess the aesthetic value of the ponds to achieve the objectives.
DEFINITION AND IMPORTANCE OF POND A Pond is generally described as a water body of a smaller size, man- made or developing it from its natural origin. In the present study the term pond has been used as smaller water body in the urban and peri-urban area. The term pond refers to a relatively shallow body of water, contained in an earthen basin, artificial or natural, retaining sewage or organic wastewaters to stable the waters and to make them in-offensive for discharge into receiving water body or on land through various physical, chemical and biological processes, involved therein. Ponds can vary in surface area from about one meter squared to a few hectares (Journal of Wetlands Ecology, 2009,vol. 2, pp 67-73).The role of the ponds in urban milieu is multifaceted such as social, ecological and economical importance. Ponds are now increasingly being created for ecosystem services and leisure activities. The major use in our contextual setting is no doubt bathing, cleaning and other requirements. The major productive activity related to these ponds is fish cultivation. Environmentally these small stagnant ponds play role as controllers of microclimate in many cases the banks of these water bodies are the only spaces for development of greenery. Ponds are protectors of biodiversity and receptors for rainwater harvesting and maintaining local ground water levels. In neighborhood scale, these stagnant ponds are also act as a centre of local social and cultural activities. Finally, these ponds bodies act as a source of water for fire fighting in the crowded and over-expanding urban areas. According to Ray & Majumder (2004) the inter-relation of an urban water body with environment, economy and society developments.
CASE STUDIES Dhaka has ponds of different sizes spread within its municipal corporation boundary (under institutions like university, Govt. offices, under mosques & temple, under various garden and within neighborhood level) which are used as multiple resources .The ponds also have a great ecological importance in urban environment – from microclimate control to biodiversity. Five ponds of different neighborhood has been selected for the study which are spread over 69, 71, 73, 81, 82 wards of Old Dhaka area.
The survey was conducted by field study at each pond. At all the ponds, the number of users for various uses was counted between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm for one day. A number of users were surveyed through prepared questionnaires at each pond. Besides, other relevant data about the ponds were collected from the users, from the local people, from the owners or the managing organization, if any. The study revealed the following important information. Landscape features and the surrounding land use within 150m of the pond were recorded along with the degree of visibility, proximity to housing, footpaths and the amount of public access.
Study and Report on: Restoration and Transformation of Small Stagnant Urban Water bodies (ponds) of Dhaka for Sustainability
Report/Proceedings