DHAKA’S relentless march of concrete has filled its fields, drained its wetlands and paved over the spaces that once absorbed water, soothed heat and provided refuge. We have built higher, but not wiser. If the earthquake revealed fragility, it also offered a chance, to rebuild a relationship with nature that cities like ours can no longer afford to ignore. Green and open spaces serve as emergency assembly points, strengthening evacuation and disaster resilience; without them, these concrete canyons could become deadly traps during earthquakes.
Green space dilemma
URBAN green spaces and forest cover are vital to urban planning, yet they are severely neglected in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The concept of urban green infrastructure is a key indicator of sustainable development goals. With a population density exceeding 23,234 people per square kilometre, Dhaka is among the world’s most densely populated cities. In 1991, green spaces in the Dhaka South City Corporation comprised 46 per cent of the area; this fell to 25 per cent in 2001 and just 8 per cent by 2020. In the Dhaka North City Corporation, normal vegetation cover decreased by approximately 65.9 per cent from 1992 to 2022, while urban areas expanded by nearly 95 per cent. Water bodies also shrank by over 32.4 per cent. Vegetation coverage in Dhaka North City Corporation is currently only 16.17 per cent, failing to meet sustainable urban greening standards. The lack of green spaces has resulted in serious environmental issues, including poor air quality, heat island effects and diminished biodiversity. Dhaka is frequently reported as one of the most polluted cities, with PM 2.5 levels often exceeding safe limits. Tracking historical changes in land use and land cover is critical issue for effective resource management, sustainable development and comprehensive planning.
Essential elements of green urban spaces
GREEN urban spaces are vital to cities’ environmental, social, economic and safety resilience. They absorb CO2 and release oxygen, improving air quality and helping counter climate change; in Dhaka, expanding greenery could reduce urban carbon emissions by about 10 per cent. Vegetation cools neighbourhoods, limits storm water runoff and flooding and provides habitat for diverse species.
Parks and open areas support mental health, reduce stress and serve as inclusive social hubs for gathering, exercise and recreation. Many also hold cultural and historical value, strengthening community identity.
Green spaces boost local economies by raising property values, attracting residents and businesses, drawing tourists and stimulating commerce. By shading buildings and managing storm water, they can also lower energy use and municipal infrastructure costs.
Biodiversity and sustainability are advanced through diverse plantings, native species, energy-efficient systems, sustainable waste practices and community stewardship — approaches that reduce maintenance needs and environmental impact.
In disaster-prone countries like Bangladesh, open and green areas are essential safety assets. Parks, playing fields and undeveloped plots can serve as emergency assembly points, evacuation routes and temporary shelters during earthquakes and other shocks. In densely built cities with scarce public space, the lack of such safe areas can turn natural hazards into human catastrophes.
Successful initiatives
DHAKA is experiencing a surge in rooftop gardening and urban agriculture to address its lack of green spaces. These initiatives not only yield fresh produce but also create small green oases in crowded areas. Organisations are actively planting gardens and trees throughout the city to reduce pollution and heat, thereby enhancing residents’ health. The government is working on restoring degraded spaces, promoting rooftop gardens and establishing more public parks with native plants to improve the urban ecosystem.
Singapore, known as the Garden City, boasts its stunning Gardens by the Bay. As this South Asian metropolis rapidly expands, urban planners are integrating nature with modern developments to ensure the city remains liveable and sustainable. London, one of Europe’s greenest capitals, features pockets of greenery that provide a refreshing contrast to its towering glass and steel structures amidst the concrete jungle.
Strategies for transformation
ACTIVATE underused spaces by converting rooftops into community gardens involving residents, businesses and schools to provide fresh produce and greenery in dense areas. Install vertical gardens on building facades to enhance aesthetics and filter pollutants where horizontal space is limited. Turn road medians, vacant lots and gaps between buildings into pocket parks that double as safe assembly points during emergencies. The recent earthquake exposed evacuation challenges in overcrowded neighbourhoods; strategically placed, hazard-free open spaces can save lives. Engage residents in planning and maintenance to build ownership and ensure these spaces meet local needs. Integrate lakes, ponds, fountains and rainwater harvesting to manage storm water while adding amenity.
Embed these initiatives within a coherent urban plan. Research underscores the need for better planning, infrastructure and governance to address health risks from unplanned growth. Drawing on international practice, Dhaka can build a connected green network by adopting tools such as the Green Space Factor and Green Point System to drive urban greening, climate-smart design, responsible waste management and sustainable governance. Evidence shows that combining green roofs and green walls can reduce PM2.5 by up to 7.3 per cent in Santiago; 50 per cent — 75 per cent GR coverage on low-rise buildings significantly improves pedestrian air quality. Leeward planting schemes can halve fine particulates at a height of 2 metres on downstream streets.
Require at least 20 per cent of land in new developments to be green, both to cool the city and improve air quality and to create continuous open spaces that support evacuation, emergency response and post-disaster recovery. Launch a Dhaka Green Building Certification that rewards energy-efficient projects with expedited permits and tax breaks. Drive systemic change with carbon credits and green taxation, ensuring polluters pay while eco-friendly businesses receive incentives.
Address feasibility early: verify structural capacity for soil and planting on older buildings, and budget for installation and maintenance of vertical gardens. Anticipate legal hurdles when repurposing privately owned vacant land, and plan for varying levels of community participation.
Learn from global leaders such as Singapore and adapt their approaches to Dhaka’s context. Together, these measures can restore the city’s natural heritage, reduce pollution and heat, and create a healthier, more liveable urban environment.
The recent quake should be remembered not just for a few seconds of fear, but for what it exposed. Concrete alone cannot hold a city together; balance can. Parks serve as safety zones, trees cool and stabilise the ground and open water reduces flooding and heat — the very systems that protect us when the earth shifts.
Reclaiming Dhaka is ultimately about restoring safety, dignity and resilience. This city does not need more skyline; it needs living soil and anchoring roots. If we heed the message of this shaken ground, then next time it moves, our city may sway — but it will not break.
Dr Md Abdul Latif is additional director of Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management. Sabiha Binta Saif Sondhi is an urban planner.
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