Reimagining River Port: Creating a Public Realm with Integrated Port Facilities

Rajshahi University of Enginnering & Technology

Project idea

The Barishal River port, one of the important hubs of waterways transportation, is the second largest inland water port of Bangladesh. Situated on the bank of the Kirtankhola River, this port connects the capital with the southern part of Bangladesh through water transit. The existing river port has limited capacity, which restricts the size and number of vessels that can be accommodated for passengers and goods. The roads leading to the port are narrow and poorly maintained, which makes it difficult for trucks and other vehicles to access the port. The infrastructure of the river port is outdated and inadequate, which makes the loading and unloading of goods slow and inefficient. This thesis aims at rethinking the port terminal to improve and introduce new facilities addressing future demands. The major objectives center around developing a user-friendly masterplan of the port considering the prospects allowing seamless connectivity, placemaking, riverbank protection, and creating a grand approach of the city as a landmark.

Project description

The Barishal River port in Bangladesh, situated on the Kirtankhola River, has been a crucial hub for waterway transportation connecting the capital Dhaka with the southern part of the country. This 150 years old port of 9.1 acre, has a long history of facilitating the movement of passengers and goods. Economically, it has played a significant role in the development of Barishal and the surrounding region, serving as the only uninterrupted supply center for crops and fish up until the inauguration of the Padma Bridge in 2022. The port's potential has also been hindered by its limited capacity, outdated infrastructure, and inadequate facilities being built in the middle of the 19th century with tin-roofing. In the context of Bangladesh, inland water transportation is the most practical, efficient, and affordable alternative to traditional roadways and railways, where the country’s topography is vulnerable to flooding. By utilizing the extensive river network and waterways, it can offer a sustainable mode of transportation while reducing environmental impacts. The port's strategic location and connectivity, foster future growth opportunities including riverine tourism potential and catering to evolving demands. Also, waterways are comparatively safer than roadways, which have a high rate of accidents reportedly. Thus, it is a sustainable transit option to distribute the traffic load into different modes of transport. Therefore, despite having a major bridge built for connectivity, the significance and demand of this port serving as an important gateway for trade and transportation will always be high.

To address the present issues and to meet future demands, this thesis proposes reimagining the port terminal to create a user-friendly masterplan that focuses on seamless connectivity, placemaking, riverbank protection, and establishing the port as a landmark of the city. To enhance economic growth, the thesis suggests repurposing and re-proposing water terminals as a means of uninterrupted transportation and urban facilities among domestic districts.

In spite of careful accommodation of only port facilities, the concept is “Harmonious Integration with Seamless Accessibility", to link the port with the urban fabric and the waterfront. Creating a cohesive and inclusive space that appeals to both locals and tourists, the main idea is to exemplify the port terminal as a “PUBLIC REALM” following the principles of creating a public realm; such as making it: accessible, a place of character, safe and inclusive, diverse, flexible to move, well connected, sustainable, adaptable, legible and placemaking. In the case of conceptual masterplan development, poetic spaces have been introduced as potential pause spaces to add distinctive characters. This includes the inspiration from “literature” in space design in order to evoke emotion and a “sense of place” in the public as a notion of storytelling. As a city's gateway, a terminal offers its visitors an impression of the city's culture and history. The beauty of Barishal and its uniqueness has been portrayed in the literature of famous local writers like Jibananoda Das. His poetry is to be felt, rather than merely read or heard. An attempt has been made to translate the literature of famous personalities from the local context, into a visual experience; that would eventually help the visitor to feel the essence of Barishal upon entry to or exit from the city, as well as their daily commute, being completely immersed in poetic spaces. The poetic spaces include Hijal-Danga: Hijal Terrace and rooftop garden, Brishti-Bagan: Rain Courtyard, Dhan-Shiri: Riverfront floating Deck, Uthan: Food court and children’s court, Aloklata Prangon: Entry plaza, Gunjoron: Riverfront open gallery, Jamrul-Tola: Reading space under tree, Alo-chaya Gallery: Library and Archive, Diganta: Viewing tower, Jolshiri: Promenade and Jolangi: Historic Paddle steamer-a floating exhibit. Bangladesh has the last of the few surviving “historic paddle steamers” of the world. Among them, one has been proposed to be stationed on the waterfront as a conserved heritage for public exploration for its heritage and tourist value, upon reviewing the previous notions of lost heritages.

Technical information

The design enhances the boundaryless port by incorporating the riverfront promenade “Jolshiri”, which connects the nearby “Muktijoddha Park” with continuous walkways, cycle lanes, floating decks, and a boating deck. The pocket spaces along the walkways open to a plaza for vendors as an added opportunity for entrepreneurs, cycle parking, and also shaded seating. The terminal's roof design draws inspiration from the graceful waves of the river, with four distinct segments mimicking the fluid motion of water. Slightly overlapping with the next, it enhances the dynamism and interconnectedness of the structure. The tree-like columns aim to evoke the serene and refreshing atmosphere one encounters when standing beneath the majestic trees, capturing the essence of the region's rich natural environment, and paying homage to the poetic beauty of Barisal.

Zoning the project into specific areas for passenger terminals, cargo handling, dry and wet zones, administrative and support, parking, mosque, recreational and cultural activities (boating, café, etc.), commercial, and public open spaces, enhance urban connectivity. The whole premises is accessible and walkable through walkways, stairs, bridges, and ramps connecting all the public places, ensuring SDG 11.7. Vehicular and pedestrian circulation has been solved carefully upon simulation to avoid any traffic conflict and ensure smooth arrival-departure.

The design incorporates an increased number and quality of amenities, including restrooms and seating, food outlets, cafes, and retail shops, spacious waiting areas for passenger convenience. Parking provision both on land and water, designated loading and unloading for cargo handling with connected commercial zone, enhances the efficiency of the terminal. The diverse income-generating facilities provided within the port create job opportunities for the workers who had lost their jobs due to the recent closure of steamer services upon the cumulative result of reasons including the decline of passengers and the outdated services of historic “paddle steamers”. The introduction of a collaborative approach as a design strategy will boost economic development, and tourist attraction, safeguarding the cultural and natural heritage of the region.

Upholding the socio-economic, environmental, literary, cultural, and historic preservation values by creating a public realm leads to a unique visionary river port design strategy. By reimagining the port as a vibrant center for trade, transit, and recreation, it can continue to play a pivotal role in connecting communities, fostering economic growth, and preservation.