Abstract
Preserving and maintaining open spaces in urban environments is considered as an essential aspect of fulfilling environmental quality goals and attaining a livable city. Public spaces are necessary for physical and mental health. Public space can also influence aesthetic values and the broader perception of the whole city. When day by day Dhaka city become a concrete jungle at that moment a public open space like Hatirjheel become a place for taking fresh air, relaxation. Hatirjheel Lake Development Project is mainly taken to mitigate the water logging problem and ease the communication between east and west part of the city. But as citizen of Dhaka city do not have any quality public open space so day by day Hatirjheel become a place of gathering and recreation. Research Questions and Objectives: This research is based on five questions – “What incremental changes have been planned and what are the reasons behind these decisions?” The second one is – “What are the impacts of Hatirjheel Development Projection adjacent land use?” The third one is- “Does it accessible for everyone?” Based on these questions, following objectives have been chosen for the research work • To analyze the impact of Hatirjheel lake development on adjacent land areas • To recommend planning guidelines regarding public space development in urban area The study is carried out in Hatirjheel Development Area and its peripheral 500 meter area. The purpose of the study is to identify positive and negative impacts of Hatirjheel Development Project according to planning and public perspective; quantify the public needs and expectations about this project. As there is no previous study about the assessment of impacts of Hatirjheel Development Project, it becomes a necessary to study about this matter for identifying the prospects and problems of this project. Research Methods: This research will adopt Mixed Method Approach. Data will be collected on Traffic condition, Road capacity, Access of people, Road Pattern etc. To carry out the study, several focus group discussions with residents, visitors, drivers, land owners, small businessmen were conducted to collect data. Some secondary data were collected from the implementing agency RAJUK. To find out the existing condition and impacts, field survey is also carried out. Expected Outcome and Concluding Remarks: As Dhaka city’s maximum open spaces are vanishing and public spaces are used illegal owners, hawkers so this city becomes more suffocating. The recreational facilities were absent. More public spaces like Hatirjheel Lake Development Project are considered necessary. Proper evaluation of Hatirjheel Lake Development Project is very much important to take decisions for similar type projects in Dhaka and other cities. The collected data will be analyzed and interpreted to fulfill the objectives of the research. On the basis of this analysis, recommendations have been provided for improve services of Hatitjheel area, to mitigate negative impacts and to solve the problems in the development process which can be used in further similar type of data. While providing recommendations, public needs and expectations are also considered here. From this, the policy makers can get an idea about the needs and expectations of common people about Hatirjheel and what improvements they want to see in Hatirjheel. The output of this research is to provide a clear picture about the existing condition and facilities of Hatirjheel Development Project, provide information about the positive and negative impacts of this project on the adjacent areas. The assessments and planning guidelines of this research will help policy makers and implementing agencies to implement projects like Hatirjheel Development Project.
