The Cost of Disconnection
Quantifying the urban ecological resistance between the Hatirjheel Special Area and Dhaka's regional water network.
Urban Fragmentation in Dhaka
Rapid and dense urban growth in the Dhaka Metropolitan Region (DMR) has fractured vital green and blue spaces. The Hatirjheel Special Area (HSA), a critical water retention and recreational zone, is becoming ecologically isolated.
The Core Issue: Traditional planning often ignores functional connectivity. Without connection to regional rivers, Hatirjheel risks losing its ecological integrity.
Methodology: Calculating Resistance
Using GIS Least-Cost Path (LCP) modeling, we assigned "Friction Costs" to different land uses based on the RAJUK DAP 2022-2035.
Table 2: Ecological Resistance Matrix
Absolute linear obstacle. Highly impervious.
High density & human activity. Area-wide barrier.
Moderate density. Significant landscape cost.
Optimal habitat. Lowest resistance.
Spatial Analysis Results
Total Accumulated Cost (TAC): 776,104 Units
Resistance Surface
Visualizes the cost of movement. Red areas (Transport) act as absolute barriers to ecological flow.
The Optimal Path
The Least-Cost Path (LCP) winds through the city, finding the path of least resistance.
Regional Linkage
Shows how the corridor connects Hatirjheel to the broader river network, highlighting intervention points.
Policy Recommendations
Prioritize Land Use Intervention
Resources must focus on securing and restoring specific land parcels intersected by the Optimal Ecological Corridor found in Figure 2.
Infrastructure Retrofitting
Implement vegetated wildlife underpasses or eco-ducts to reduce the resistance cost of transport infrastructure (currently 150 units).
Mandatory LCP Assessment
Future large-scale projects should be mandated to conduct a Least-Cost Path assessment to ensure they do not increase the Total Accumulated Cost above the baseline.