Dwindling Urban Water-bodies of Dhaka and the City Fabric: A Post-mortem Qazi Azizul Mowla Introduction Geo-morphology has always played a significant role in the formation and growth of a settlement. Dhaka is no exception. The Dhaka conurbation, as a meeting point of major riverine routes, served as an outlet to a vast hinterland. Dhaka has grown from a small settlement within the confines of River Bouriganga and the Dholai Khal (canal) to a sprawling metropolis of about 13 million people. Dhaka is encircled by Bouriganga River on its south and south-west, Turag River on its west-northwest and Balu River on its east connected to Turag by Tongi (khal) River to the North. The spatial development followed the prong of flood free terrace originating from the old nucleus along Bouriganga River towards north as a part of Madhupur terrace (Dhaka Terrace) of pre-ostacian age. The Dhaka Terrace sloped towards eastern and western flood plains, marshes and Rivers. Water bodies and Rivers have historically played an important role in the spatial development, life and liveability of Dhaka. Dhaka, with 400 years of history as a capital city behind it, is now at crossroads. Urbanization, without considering the geo-morphology of Dhaka during recent times has left a deep scar in the city’s environment. It needs some strategic decisions and quick actions to remain liveable. Water logging, pollution, changes in hydro-geological system, land subsidence and building collapse are some of the severe consequences of these environmental changes. This study attempts to trace the past and present settlement pattern vis-à-vis natural and manmade water bodies in Dhaka and their generic nature. Geo-morphological and hydrological features were also explored to ascertain an appropriate role of the natural factors in the rejuvenation and integration of the city fabric. Historical and Physiographic Contexts In 1765, James Rennel (1792) the English Surveyor wrote, "the Kingdom of Bengal, particularly the eastern part (Bangladesh) is naturally the most convenient for trade within itself of any country in the world; for the rivers divide into such a number of branches that the people have the convenience of water carriage to and from any principal place." Situated at the centre, Dhaka was able to command all these great water routes. This locational advantage gave rise to various urban settlements during various points in history. "...the largest town being Dacca city (90,542)...there are ruins at Bikrampur, at one time the head-quarters of the Sen Dynasty (9th & 10th century AD), and at Sonargaon, the first capital of the Muhammadens in eastern Bengal; an ancient legend also attach to remains at Rampal, Durduria, Savar and elsewhere"(IGI, 1908). Dhaka was the seat of provincial Mughal administration for about one hundred years from 1610 AD, and later the capital of the newly formed East Bengal-Assam province (1905-11) during the British colonial period for a couple of years. In 1947, Bengal was partitioned between India and Pakistan and subsequently Pakistan's portion of Bengal became independent in 1971 under the name of Bangladesh. Dhaka, being the major city in the area was naturally chosen as the capital of the independent nation. There were political ups and downs affecting the city’s size and morphology. But, it never ceased to be an important urban centre in this region because of its location and geo-morphology (Figure 1).