Surging Up the Vibrancy of Urban River Bridge: Parasitic Paradigm of Buriganga 2nd Bridge and Keane Bridge.

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur, Department of Architecture, Dhaka

Project idea

A river acts like a blood line of a city. In a riverine country like Bangladesh, bridges hold immense value because they enhance connectivity, promote economic growth, and facilitate regional integration that acts as an infrastructural resource. Bridges are generally designed solely for transit purposes from one point to another. But people have a tendency to enjoy the river view and surrounding area from the bridge, even though sometimes hawkers are also placed there to serve them, which creates a haphazard situation on the bridge. Sometimes traffic movement faces obstacles for pedestrian activity, and on the other hand, it’s not properly enjoyable for pedestrian activity. Especially in a densely populated urban area where there is a lack of breathing or recreational zones, people tend to use the river portion of the bridge for enjoyment. We need to think about the river zone of an urban bridge to ensure free traffic movement and enjoyable pedestrian activity that may also contribute to the communal needs and demands of the surrounding area. The Project aim is Surging up the vibrancy of an urban river bridge by integrating a vibrant pedestrian layer over the river zonal traffic layer of bridge with adding pedestrian activity supported site reliable socio-economic functions and features that is partially contribute to communal needs and demands of the surrounding area.

Project description

The multipurpose usability of urban bridge was once a common practice at middle ages that was called inhabitable urbanized bridge but with time the practice is lost. Nowadays, as cities run out of space for new buildings, urbanized bridges can present rather an interesting idea. So the time has come for us to think about reviving this old practice of urban river bridge’s multipurpose usability with a touch of modernity by a multifunctional manner respected to it’s surrounding urban fabric. In World Multidischiplinary Civil Engineering -Architecture-Urban Planning Symposium 2016, WMCAUS 2016. Marek Salamak and Klaudiusz Fross stated in their paper named, “ Bridges in Urban Planning and Architecture Culture” An Urban Bridge can serve as - i) Transport link, ii) Create image of the city (attractive exterior), iii) Modern Technological advancement ( technical capabilities), iv) User friendly structure (Pedestrian activity).
What if the river portion of an urban river bridge is not only used for transit purposes but also serve as a socio-economic and culturally vibrant Public realm.
Later, in a domino effect, the possible outcome of this proposal will contribute to set 4 paradigm: i) An urban river bridge can act like a recreational public realm. ii) An urban river bridge can be socially inclusive and created economic opportunity. iii) Integrating vibrant pedestrian layer over an existing Urban bridge by parasitic intervention iv) Considering pedestrian activity on bridge while designing a new Urban river bridge.
Here, I provide 2 case example. One of them is Babubazar bridge that is located over Buriganga river besides historical place Old Dhaka and used as the Gateway of Dhaka. Another one is Keane bridge that is a historical steel bridge located over Surma river at Sylhet used as the Gateway of Sylhet. I conducted some thorough professional interview, user survey and on site observation to collect data and analyze them to find out site reliable socioeconomic functions and features.
This proposal incorporates public plazas, pedestrian walkways, green areas, and cultural installations, creating a space that blends mobility with public engagement. Special emphasis is placed on integrating sustainable design strategies such as green infrastructure, renewable energy systems, and bridge’s structural methods to ensure that the bridge not only enhances urban vibrancy but also contributes to the environmental health of the river ecosystem.
At Buriganga 2nd Bridge, People come from Babubazar area and Keraniganj area to explore the place, so riverfront development hold a prime consideration in this project. Vehicle parking area with public toilet and mechine control room placed beneath the bridge. With road level, here is connected a layer between both side of river where people can pass the river easily and a temporary market area. At 2nd layer, here I designed a communal layer where I included souvenir shops, café, library, temporary expo, painting area and performing stage. At 3rd layer, breathing gathering zone placed here. At top layer 4 viewing platform added to explore the surrounding area. Most of the energy generated from mini turbine which is placed beside pylon, Waynergy flooring, ultrasonic piezoelectric railing and solar thermoelectric planel. Load will be carried by prime existing structure and then extra load will be transferred by newly added pylon on both side of bridge. Overall it’s a paradigm of self sufficient energy efficient structure.
At Keane Bridge, This is designed as piece of historic conservation for it’s history. Following 3 conservation rules, Such as: Less Intervention, Identity of Existing prime structure, Lightweight intervention. At ground level Fishing deck staircase area and riverfront area design for urban people. With bridge level, some triangular shaped alcove gathering space included. From that bridge layer 4 stair case will be connected with upper communal layer where 2 library, a multipurpose hall and a tea snacks shops will be placed. Some energy generate from façade mini turbine and upper solar thermo electric roof of bridge.

Technical information

The construction of the parasitic structure is made of Red oxide iron and PCP(Precast concrete panel) for it's Flexibility, Easily Installed, Durability,Recyclable, reusable, environment friendly. Whole structure is self sufficient energy efficient structure. Energy generates from Solar thermoelectric generator, mini wind turbine and Waynergy flooring and ultrasonic railing.