WRITINGS

Published in the Daily Star.

Described as “the toughest city in the world,” and consistently listed as unlivable, Dhaka demands new architectural and urban imagination if it were to escape from those tags. The Research and Design program at Bengal Institute presents here alternative – and extremely doable! – vision for two critical areas of the city – Gulshan Avenue Corridor and Buriganga Riverbank. Bengal Institute is dedicated to reimagining Bangladesh’s urban future in which Dhaka is a special focus. The design team was led by Kazi Khaleed Ashraf with Saif Ul Haque and Masudul Islam. Part of the initiative is being supported by the World Bank on behalf of the DNCC and DSCC.

Dhaka is now poised for a new era. Positioned to be one of the most economically dynamic cities in Asia, Dhaka is predicted to be ranked at 48 by the year 2025 with an estimated GDP of USD 215 bn, way above Rome, Karachi, Hanoi and Montreal (UK Economic Outlook, 2009). But are we ready? A vast population of the city remains untouched by the fruits of quality urban life that continuously relegates Dhaka to the lowest rung of unlivable cities.

From what was truly a garden city, Dhaka continues its predictable civic and environmental degradation. Even until the 1950s, with its spacious green spaces, majestic trees, crisscrossing canals, and civilized riverbanks, Dhaka presented itself as a garden city and a place by the water. With a new design vision and political will and action, Dhaka can still be a very unique, green and highly livable city that is also responsive economically and ecologically.

Buildings alone never make a city, but buildings and spaces in a well-knit fabric. The development of proper public places and civic spaces is central in transitioning Dhaka to a decent city, and removing the stigma of being unlivable. With a climate naturally suited to making a garden city, with a proper design and new imagination, and determined directives from the two dynamic mayors of the city, Dhaka can again be a place of light, green, and air.

While open and public places define the civic realm of a city, sidewalks or footpaths are a key component of that network. The sidewalk is actually the finest mark of the civility and humanity of a city; it belongs to the culture of walking, strolling and promenading, and getting around without hindrances. This is particularly critical for Dhaka where more than 60% of the people walk. Such urban pedestrian system as boulevards, promenades, riverwalks, or simple sidewalks that are the hall-mark of all livable cities are for most part non-existent in Dhaka. And if they do exist, they are in bits and pieces, and do not create a legible and defined network.

It is first crucial to revise our perception of sidewalks: A sidewalk is not the extension of a drain, nor is it a three feet wide cover over it; it is a space on its own, it is a public space. A proper walkable condition is a civic right. A sidewalk in Dhaka will continue to be used for multiple reasons especially for portable commerce and other improvisations, still a guideline for sidewalk practices should be developed and maintained by proper regulations that embrace both the pleasure of walking and the social interaction of commerce.

It is often overlooked that overall transportation system of any city is intimately linked to that network of walkability created by sidewalks and public hubs. When the metro rail comes to Dhaka – mass transit would be the only way to counter the traffic woes of a city like Dhaka – it will have to depend on a walkable system. One will leave home for work, walk to the station, get off at another station to go to a workplace or a school or college. On a holiday, a family will walk off to a station to get to a public space where an event is taking place. After a family meal at a restaurant and a walk by a promenade, they will catch another train to head back home.

We present here two examples of transforming the city for a better urban life: (1) A riverbank based civic space along the Buriganga river, and (2) A new civic corridor along Gulshan Avenue all the way to Kawran Bazar.

Buriganga Riverbank as a New Civic Space

Dhaka is a child of the Buriganga, and yet it turns its back to being part of the world’s most dynamic hydrological system. A radical reclamation of Buriganga river and its banks on both sides is crucial for an economic, transport and cultural reinvigoration of the oldest part of Dhaka. The river can become a sustainable life-blood, and the riverfront a much more organized condition providing renewed recreational, civic, touristic, economic, and transport facilities for the whole city.

We propose:

Framing the river’s edge with a new language of building appropriate to riverside activities: Riverbanks are encroached upon or abused because there are no exemplary models on how to use them. An appropriate riverside development will create the necessary overlap between city and river that is now lacking.

Connecting north and south riverbanks with a continuous public promenade: For a first phase, a promenade may link Sadarghat launch terminal to Badamtoli ghat, and via the bridge make a loop to the riverbank on Keranigonj. Walkways, ghats, terraces, gardens and pavilions will form ingredients of the promenade.

Through the new public pathways, connecting civic and historic buildings and their sites, and newly proposed public and commercial centers, and large parks and gardens. A new public plaza – Sadarghat Chottor – is proposed in front of Sadarghat terminal as a public gathering space and forecourt to the terminal where passengers and visitors can assemble. The terminal building can be renovated as a porous and transparent building with better efficiency as a passenger hub, as well as a landmark structure on the riverbank.

Generating an active water-based transportation by creating ghats and stations for river-buses and river-taxis in order to bring travelers and tourists from other parts of the city. Stations can become hubs for generating new economic and cultural activities in the neighborhood.

Gulshan Avenue as a Civic Corridor

Gulshan Avenue has seen much change, from being a quiet avenue for a planned residential district to a corporate and commercial axis. Despite a lineup of striking buildings, Gulshan Avenue still lacks a proper civic and walkable environment. There are no significant public places or spaces, and no remarkable sites or structures to celebrate the avenue as a civic corridor. It is merely a road dedicated to the unruly car. The existing scenario can be arranged better with a new installation of exemplary public spaces, parks and pathways. We propose the following for a revision of Gulshan Avenue Corridor:

Providing a new schema and standards for the sidewalk in order to create an organized walkable network that links key points and destinations in Gulshan. Gulshan Avenue itself becomes a continuous walkable corridor providing for Dhaka an example of a proper tree lined, comfortable walkable street with the pedestrian as priority. A decent walkable city can reduce urban stress as well as transport crisis.

Creating generous public places and plazas wherever it is possible (especially on city owned sites). Our most favorite, and clearly doable, idea is to convert Gulshan 2 road intersection into a pedestrian plaza. This can be done by rerouting car traffic around the outer circle in a continuous loop that will also ease traffic movement considerably.

Converting selected city properties into a better and efficient public realm with higher economic results: The DNCC owned markets in Gulshan 2 area can be renovated into a proper civic center with new shopping facilities, offices, auditoriums, but most importantly, walkable public spaces and corridors. In developing each city property, multi-level underground parking is suggested to reduce anarchic parking on the streets.

Reorganizing traffic system whenever possible: In a future development, an elevated light rail system can be erected connecting Gulshan 2 along the avenue all the way to Kawran Bazar with designated stops that can become new hubs. In order to encourage people to take mass transit, the proposed light rail can be linked up with the MRT (Line 5) now underway.

Promoting parks and gardens wherever opportunities exist: Gulshan lake is an asset for both the area and the city. We propose strengthening its development as a recreational park and ecological zone. We also propose developing Gulshan park as a designated sculpture park with other art related programs. Below the ground of the green park, a five story underground parking can be constructed.