Prospects and challenges of achieving sustainable urban green-spaces: A case study of urban greening in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Bangladesh

Urban green spaces and urban forest covers are a significant component of planning which is critically ignored in Bangladesh. This study aims to identify the prospects challenges achieving sustainable Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Bangladesh indicator development goal (SDG11). We have analyzed historical land use cover change (LULC) from 1992, 2002, 2012, 2022 using Landsat 4–5 Thematic Mapper (TM), 7 Enhanced Plus (ETM+), 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) images by ArcGIS 10.8 Google Earth-pro software. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) primarily indicates vegetation greenness as well determining other uses such waterbody, settlements barren land. calculated kappa values varied 80% 86.7% for all years fit current research. A strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT) analysis reviewed existing sectoral policy plans achieve forestry. Fifteen key informant interviews (KII) ( DNCC), Department Environment (DOE), Forest (BFD), Social Forestry (DSF) wing under BFD were taken status forestry, its problems, opportunities, threats. responses drawn Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework. Of total measurements 194.2sq km (2022), normal has decreased significantly 1992 approximately 65.9%, while areas increased almost 95% simultaneously. From 2022, water bodies more than 32.4%. coverage DNCC only 16.17%, inferior meeting greening fulfil criteria cities communities. KII, it found that despite some relevant forestry plans, limited lands, institutional corruption, weak governance major drawbacks. In DNCC, unplanned rapid megacity expansion, roads utility service expansion policy, plan, program implementation space protection driving forces loss. Introducing strategic environmental assessment programs, removing inter-institutional conflicts, programs through bioeconomy concept required. addition, participation stakeholders identified improvement DNCC.