Pedestrialization of a street, Rabindro Sharoni, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Project idea

The continuous decline of the quality of the public spaces in Bangladesh is evident in congested cities such as Dhaka. This is identified in commercial streets that mostly function as traffic conduits due to high congestion rather than act as livable spaces that could be comfortably shared by all users. Rabindra Sharoni, a street at Dhaka Bangladesh is not an exception. Our main objective was the applicability of pedestrianization schemes in the street in order to enhance the quality of life and promote walk-ability and cycling over vehicular use. Which will create a dialogue for the city.

Project description

EXISTING PROBLEMS
-Heavy Traffic Congestion at nodal point
-Tempo Stand at nodal point
-Parking at the entrance of the road
-Boundary wall of the lake creates visual barrier
-No recreational activity
-No waste bin, water facility, seating and public toilet
-Lack of security
-The street becomes dead after 7 pm
-Lack of sale of vendors.

GOALS
-Encouraging walking
-Discouraging use of private cars
-Reviving the dead lake
-Creating a dialogue for the city
-Increasing land value
-Increasing the sales
-Promotion of business
-Creating a breathing space for the city dwellers.
POLICIES
-Declared shopping street
-All residential to be commercial within 10 years.
-Pedestrianized street
-Controlled vehicular access during emergency

TARGETED PEOPLE
-Residents of nearby streets
-Students
-Existing vendors
-Entrepreneurs
-Tourists

Technical information

Analyzing the current situation of the street, its neighborhood and the user groups we decided to divide the street into different zones.
At first comes the street vendors zone where at current the vendors arrange their carts in a very haphazard way.In order to organize the carts we allocated a fixed area for each vendor by making changes in the pavement. And the zone also includes seating areas where people can sit and rest while shopping. And the zone being closest to the main road and the bus stands makes it easier for people to access and shop because Rabindra Sharani is already famous as a shopping street. So we dedicated a large part of the road only for shopping.
Then comes the food zone where people can enjoy the taste of Dhaka city and enjoy their meals under the shade of the trees.
There is also a dedicated zone for public gatherings. Bangladesh celebrates many festivals, this zone can be used for rallies, fairs and cultural programs. And at other times of the year the street remains colorful because it can also be used as a place for street graffiti.
Next comes the children play zone. The sittings of the zone are designed as building blocks with alphabets on them so the children can play and learn at the same time and take rest when tired. The zone also consists of a dry fountain area where they can enjoy during the hot summer days.
There was a existing flower market in the street which we tried organizing in a more attractive way. And is placed near the children play zone so that children can see a variety of flowers.
The whole street of Rabindra Sharoni at present is shaded by large trees planted at the island of the street which acts as a natural shading device and thus the street remains cool even during the hot summer months.
A bicycle lane and a green buffer along with the footpath runs through out the whole street. The green buffer zone makes the street more colorful as seasonal flowering plants will be planted there.
And a number of pocket parks were designed beneath the streets for people to sit and relax and for children to run around.
There is lake at the end of street which was dead and we decided to revive it. We created an open air gathering space with floating stage where different programs and seminars can be held. Along with that boating facilities were also introduced.
To connect the street to the lake directly a foot over bridge is constructed which itself stands as a sculpture and acts as the termination point to the street.
At present the street becomes dead by evening so we decided to use led screening on building facades.
As a whole our aim was to provide better accessibility and mobility for pedestrians, to enhance the amount of shopping and other business activities in the street and to improve the attractiveness of the local environment in terms of aesthetics, air pollution, noise and crashes involving motor vehicle with pedestrians.

Documentation

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