But the view of the old airport is now no longer to be enjoyed, thanks to the action of some over concerned officials of the Bangladesh Air Force.

Along the 1.5-kilometere stretch of road the concerned authorities have built a high wall, that has become a blot on the landscape.

When contacted, the Inter Service Public Relations Directorate (ISPRD) in a written statement said that the wall has been built to provide security for the air force, VVIPs and VIPs who use the airport. Moreover, it said that the wall was also a deterrence to encroachment.

One thing is sure. For the foreign dignitaries who come to the China Bangladesh Friendship Convention Center, the political graffiti on the old airport wall will give them an insight into the country's spirited politics and the aesthetic sense of the city planners.

What is happening inside the old airport now?

Well, who knows?

The Flood Protection Embankment To the relief of city dwellers, engineers of the Water Development Board (WDB) negotiated with thousands of slum dwellers in order to built a 12-kilometre long road along the flood protection embankment last year.

Today, as you ride along the embankment towards Badamtali with Kamrangirchar on your right, an all too typical urban tragedy unfolds before you. The Buriganga estuary is being encroached at an ever-increasing rate. It has become open season on this precious waterway!

On traveling further, just as the river should appear before you, near Shaheednagar, the view is totally marred by a solid thick wall along the embankment. Engineers of the Dhaka Integrated Flood Protection Project said that the wall was a part of the 7.

5-metre high flood protection barrier.

Ali Akbar Haidar of the DIFPP admitted that the wall created "some sort of undesirable vision hindrance" but said that once the road level is elevated, the river would be visible again.

Chameli House or The Chummari House The British built the magnificent Chummari House just next to the National Press Club in 1911 along with the monumental Curzon Hall. Its original name, Chummari House, suggests that it was used as quarters for bachelor British officers. Later, as some female students from Dhaka University started using the building as a dormitory, the name was changed to Chameli House. This historic house is undoubtedly one of those rare buildings still bearing some vestige of the country's past. Until recently, the public passing by Topkhana Road could enjoy the sight of Chameli House. However about six months ago CIRDAP officials, now having their office inside the building, asked the Public Works Department to raise a high wall around the historic building.

Chameli House, according to Dr Momin of CIRDAP has now been secured.

"We have had demonstrators from the Press Club area entering our office after the police chased them onto the street. The public also used the fences around the building as a toilet," said Dr Momin, adding, "The wall was necessary because we needed to protect our office first."

What experts sayArchitect ASM Ismail, Assistant Chief Architect of the Department of Architecture, said that for a healthy urban landscape it is extremely important that public places or structures are kept visible to the public.

"When commuters see a decent building, greenery or a river they feel good and this is known as aesthetic sense or good taste in planning," said Ismail who is also a former general secretary of the Institute of Architects, Bangladesh.

About the security of these buildings, Architect Ismail said that the White House in Washington is surrounded by a fence that enables the public to see it from any direction and yet it is one of the most security-conscious buildings in the world.

Former Chief Architect of the Department of Architecture and Head of BUET, Shah Alam Zahiruddin said that no one has the right to destroy the beauty of a public building or space in such a manner.

"These historic buildings and open places create the image of the city and these walls are in no way applicable to the city's landscape," Zahiruddin said.

He said that these small projects of constructing walls are not usually undertaken 'out of necessity' but to 'generate some quick funds'.

"It is a criminal act to visually block historic sites," Zahiruddin said.