The potentials of the scholarship of sustainability present new possibilities for integrated analysis to address syndromes in human-environment systems. A syndrome here means a big-picture complex problem or issue with sustainability implications, such as urban sprawl, land contamination, mass tourism, waste dumping, etc. Through a case history-that of a 'water security syndrome'-this paper explores key conceptual aspects for the potential scholarship of sustainability. First, it outlines the scope of this syndrome within the context of one megacity, Dhaka (Bangladesh). Through a holistic literature analysis utilizing system's approach six themes are then elucidated, including patterns of change, sectoral impacts, climate change implications, and opportunities to capitalize. A model is constructed representing a 'water security syndrome' in the perspective of developing world, and implications are drawn for the potential scholarship of sustainability.