Riverfront Revitalization-Water as a affinity to the past

SUST

Project idea

The project site is located at the banks of Surma river which is one of the important rivers of Sylhet,Bangladesh.Multiple historical structures are there in the site.An age old clock tower, a historical park.circuit house and so many important strutures.In past the river banks were very actively used with business,transportation & entertainment purpose.But with the vehicular development, the river front is being totally disconnected with the city.As a result the river is now a place of waste dumping and backward space.Mills ,factories are built at the banks & the through their waste in the river.

The main objective was to bring back the lost heritage of the river,protect & connect the site with modern environment.Properly using the river based transportation,making an active river front,integrating it with the main city was the goal of the project.

Project description

There is a park in the site which is left as an unused space.To revive the park a over head connection is provided with the river front.Boat is an important transportation system in Bangladesh.To maximize the use of boat multiple 'ghats' are created.Every ghats has its own identity & purpose.
There are some design strategies which involves;

1.over head connection with the park & the river front to enable un interrupted walkway. Children do not have to cross the vehicular road in that way from the park.
2.Creating a cycle route & pedestrian to enjoy the river view and active use.
3.Creating an amphitheater to enhance cultural activities
4.Speed boat & kayaking ghats for entertainment purpose.
5.Extend the existing ghat to perform rituals
6.Extend the existing ghat to perform rituals.
7.Floating market that serves business purpose as well as entertainment
purpose
8.Restaurants & cafes in the ally ways to ensure the place active at night
also
9.Graphity on the alley wall is created to bring back the environment.
These strategies were considered with minimum interruption to the river.

Technical information

As the project is on the bank of the river the flood level is considered.Sustrainable approach is taken to minimize the harm to the river.Proper disposal of wastes insured.The floating markets are created in boats so that extra structure load con be avoided.Proper vegetation level is created to protect from river erosion.

Co-authors

Pallabi Dutta , Asifa Jamal,Nourin Shorme,Adnan Hasib