A Breathing Space (Urban Development of Dhupkhola Maath)

BRAC University, Department of Architecture, Dhaka

Project idea

People are drawn to cities because of their abundance of resources and diverse opportunities for earning a living. It is harder to administer and meet the demands of a crowded city like Dhaka while maintaining population control. The project is a part of social activities under by Dhaka South City Corporation's to provide certain basic facilities to the neighborhood area. This is the Sutrapur zone's central meeting area, as well as the neighborhood's only open green space and playground. This project's goal is to develop retail shops surrounding the field and also reorganized this area in a livelihood environment with concerns to the care of children's playgrounds.

Project description

Urban open spaces are essential elements of the city having importance for different functional and leisure activities of the urban dwellers. In spite of growing densification there are some spaces left as urban gray which can turn into urban positive interactive space as large-scale civic space is hardly to be found. Increased physical activity promotes children's creativity and imagination, as well as social relationships and social control for future generations, and creates a sense of contentment among city dwellers. Interaction is one of the essential psychological needs of human being for mental growth. Due to lack of public space and factors like security, privacy moreover changes in life style causing limitation of using these spaces and limiting the users. In our city, open places for public usage are rapidly dwindling. Nowadays, there are increasing number of People are becoming impassive due to a lack of communication space, and land shortage is threatening open areas. People living in cities and are unable to adjust to the densely populated environments. All of the open space in our surrounding areas has been converted into structures. Physical and mental refreshment and development are essential in this situation for all ages of people. Moreover, children and young adults are becoming gadget freaks due to a lack of playgrounds. Growing up demands the proper development of a child's physical, intellectual, emotional, and social elements. When open areas are arranged according to a hierarchy like the Urban Green Parks Hierarchy, their value is increased and they contribute more effectively to the quality of life. Dhupkhola field is a gathering spot for residents from nearby neighborhoods to interact, hang out, and spend time with family and friends. The field has become a part of the society's heritage and pride over the years. The aim of this project is to open the field to the public after its renovated and also, identify the retail typology to be placed on available land. Moreover, street vendors can be organized to allow people to walk on pedestrian freely.

Technical information

The objective is to demonstrate how a person or group of city inhabitants may benefit from open space and how these places can be utilized more efficiently to produce a better city atmosphere for a joyful, healthier life, which really is today a fundamental need of the population.
i. to open the field for children and teenagers
ii. identify the retail typology to be placed on available land
iii. locate street vendors and develop a pedestrian-friendly environment
iv. need breathing space for neighborhood
v. to keep the place's traditions alive