The architect as part of his professional commitment fulfils his responsibility to the public by getting involved in environmental issues that affect the society. The architect does not merely serve his immediate client, which is his function at micro level, but has to take into account the public who may or may not be affected by his decisions as a given project is implemented.

Whereas River Karnafuli is not designated as an architectural commission, at least not yet, the creative mind understands that his city needs to be enriched and vitalized by each and every natural constituent, performing at their possible best, in order for his profession to make any worthwhile contribution for the general public.

In his search for relevant materials related to River Karnafuli as part of Forum for Planned Chittagong's (FPC) commitment to bring to focus the issue of its conservation, essential as the city's lifeline, Architect Q S Tauheed delves into reports of eminent British engineers and offices, much of which has now gained historical importance alongside their technical magnitude.

Part 1 of his paper appeared on this page a fortnight back on 1 July. In Part 2 he deals with the concept and importance of a single channel, the training and dredging works necessary to stabilize and maintain a navigable channel, the estuarine limits, and the works undertaken in the lower and the upper estuaries.

Let the systematic methodology adopted by FPC be a directive for other development concerns in the country so that issues are also considered in the context of history and mistakes not repeated; decisions not given at the spur-of-the-moment by non-professional bureaucrats and politicians.

The author is Professor of Architecture at BUET and Consultant to the Editor on Urban Issues