Environment and Ecology Research Vol. 13(1), pp. 60 - 76
DOI: 10.13189/eer.2025.130106
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Physiographic Landscape Elements for Water Sensitive Urban Development: Lessons from Indigenous Land-Water Interface

Ayasha Siddiqua ^1,*, Farida Nilufar ^2
1 Department of Architecture, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh
² Department of Architecture, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

Human development and the natural environment interact to shape distinctive landscapes, particularly in regions where water plays a central role between society and resilience. This research focuses on the Eastern Periphery of the Dhaka Metropolitan Area (DMA), where indigenous settlements have long integrated natural waterbodies into their development patterns. The problem lies in the ongoing urbanization that threatens these long sustained traditional practices, leading to the degradation of natural landscapes and water management systems. The aim of the paper is to analyze the physiographic landscape of this area and promote sustainable, water-sensitive urban development by understanding local land-water interactions. To achieve this, the study adopts a mixed-method approach, incorporating satellite image analysis, GIS mapping, field observations, and interviews with local inhabitants. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted to width, slope gradient, surface quality, and land division patterns, in response to seasonal fluctuations and water level variations. The findings reveal that the local land-water interface has evolved naturally and dynamically, driven by landscape parameters such as size, width, slope, surface quality and local land utilization patterns. The study identifies important landscape elements that could be incorporated into urban design to foster water-sensitive development in deltaic cities like Dhaka. As a whole, this research underscores the importance of understanding indigenous landscape characteristics and local knowledge to guide sustainable urban development and address water-related urban crises.

KEYWORDS
Physiographic Landscape, Land-water Interface, Indigenous Settlements, Sustainable Urban Development, Water-sensitive Urban Design

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Ayasha Siddiqua , Farida Nilufar , "Physiographic Landscape Elements for Water Sensitive Urban Development: Lessons from Indigenous Land-Water Interface," Environment and Ecology Research, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 60 - 76, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2025.130106.

(b). APA Format:
Ayasha Siddiqua , Farida Nilufar (2025). Physiographic Landscape Elements for Water Sensitive Urban Development: Lessons from Indigenous Land-Water Interface. Environment and Ecology Research, 13(1), 60 - 76. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2025.130106.