Re-Development of RDA Market

BRAC University, Department of Architecture, Dhaka

Project idea

In this century, now Rajshahi is a metropolitan city and a major urban,
commercial and educational center of Bangladesh. With the arrival of the Dutch kings in Rajshahi during the 18th century, trade and commerce began. Later, during the occupation of this area by the Dutch and British, indigo and silk farming expanded, and Shaheb Bazar came to serve as the hub of the city of Rajshahi's economic prosperity. While the Natore-Nawabganj highway was being built in 1987, many shop owners and shopkeepers suffered losses. To aid in their restoration, the Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA) filled in the pond behind the former Shaheb Bazaar market and erected a market that became known as
RDA market.

With time, the area from Moni Chattar to Zero point node transformed into the most significant commercial zone in the city's center thanks to the RDA Market and Shaheb Bazar vegetable market, banks and offices, student hostels that
were later established surrounding the market, and the remaining portion of the old Shaheb Bazaar market. RDA market, while being one of Rajshahi's most significant markets, was deemed hazardous in 2013 due to a number of issues, including structural fragility, a high risk of fire, a lack of natural light, and poor ventilation access. Since then, these issues have made it more difficult to use
this well-known market.

The goal of the project is to investigate the interactions between various sorts of functions while constructing a hybrid urban civic breathing space at the important commercial hub of a city on an urban scale.

Project description

The design decisions emerged from extensive field studies and were crafted with a thoughtful embrace of "NEW-CONTEXTUALISM" as the guiding architectural principle. The redevelopment plan is an architectural endeavor that aspires to seamlessly weave together a diverse array of elements, encompassing historic landmarks, places of worship, educational institutions, residential areas, and commercial spaces. This visionary concept seeks to forge a cohesive urban landscape, harmoniously uniting these distinct facets into a holistic whole, with the bustling pulse of the RDA market serving as its
symbolic heart.

Beyond mere physical connections, the plan endeavors to nurture a sense of community and belonging among both residents and visitors. Through meticulous design and execution, the cityscape will undergo a
comprehensive transformation, emerging as a unified and aesthetically pleasing urban environment, marking a significant stride toward a more vibrant, interconnected, and livable city.

Central to this concept is the goal of enhancing accessibility between various locales, thereby facilitating smoother movement and drawing individuals from surrounding areas to the market and communal spaces.
This involves the seamless integration of pathways with Rajshahi City's central hub and the lively Sharee lane, a strategic move promising to significantly invigorate commerce and forge robust, interconnected
bonds among these elements.

Furthermore, for those who toil along the Sharee lane and call Padma Char their home, this initiative offers a direct and convenient pathway. Additionally, a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing promenade
will grace the site's waterfront, seamlessly blending with the unique landscape of Padma Char, creating an inviting thoroughfare.

The Padma River, a colossal and historically significant waterway within our nation's borders, harbors a "Charr," an island formed by its meandering currents, located just a brief 5-minute stroll from our site. By establishing this connecting thoroughfare, the site extends a warm invitation to individuals from far beyond the immediate neighborhood, beckoning them to partake in the enchanting splendors of "Padma
Garden." Here, one can revel in the embrace of unspoiled natural vistas generously bestowed by the river.

Furthermore, this endeavor holds the promise of positively transforming the lives of riverside inhabitants, enhancing their connection to the Padma and enriching their daily existence from an architectural
perspective.

Technical information

The total structure is made of brick. As the area gain huge temperature, the ventilation method is done to reduce heat gain and environment friendly.