Introducing GI to improve water quality of public waterbodies in Dhaka
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The human and ecological health problems associated with water pollution in developing countries are central. The surface water area of densely populated Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is about 10-15% of the city’s total land area. However, the primary surface water bearer (canals, lakes, ponds, and rivers) is severely degraded due to indiscriminate discharge of untreated sewage, solid waste, and industrial effluent. Past approaches to water security and management through predominantly gray infrastructure solutions are inadequate given the impacts of climate change and the adverse environmental effects of gray water infrastructure. Green Infrastructure (GI) is a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas designed and managed to mitigate floods, improve water quality, stop green gentrification, and protect biodiversity in urban settings. Plants are an essential part of GI, and the idea to purify water through plants methodically is a new idea for Dhaka. Some plants remove nutrients from the stormwater and transpire water, while their roots help maintain the porosity of the filter media. This research hypothesized that introducing nature-based solutions like GI would improve water quality increasing people's engagement with the public water bodies in the city. Through modeling and simulations using ArcGIS pro and PCSWMM, this study will design GI prototypes in strategic locations and measure quantitative impact to convince future designers to propose GI inside the city. The proposal will be constructed by collaborating with private firms and stakeholders to test the authenticity of the simulation and what adjustments need to be made in further research.