Assessing the sustainability features of an urban waterfront development project as a nature-based solution

To reduce vulnerabilities brought on by either natural hazards or human-induced activities, nature-based solutions (NbS)—as options for restoring, protecting, sustaining, and raising natural systems—have gained attention. The restoration and maintenance of urban water bodies is one kind of NbS that offers sustainable urban development of areas around water bodies with various benefits of economic growth, social cohesion, and environmental restoration for making the cities more livable. However, proper assessment of the effectiveness of waterfront development projects as NbSs and tools for accomplishing sustainable development goals and fostering urban resilience is necessary. This research investigates the case of waterfront development project of the Norai River and its peripheral areas in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, as an NbS for reducing urban vulnerabilities and meeting sustainable development goals. The study utilized data collection methods such as observation, mapping, interviews, and surveys, along with a sustainable development scoring framework, to determine that the environmental performance was moderate due to a reduction in waterlogging risk. However, the river’s inability to create social spaces, spark social activities, and generate economic activities remains unexplored for enhancing the livability of the area. This research contributes to a user-centric understanding of waterbodies’ importance in cities, enabling future NbS practitioners to make informed decisions for sustainable urban waterfront development.