OPEN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN COMPETITION FOR “HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN OF THE OLD DHAKA CENTRAL JAIL AND REDEVELOPMENT OF ITS SURROUNDING AREA” R070DCJ17042 Article 23. National Culture The State shall adopt measures to conserve the cultural traditions and heritage of the people, and so to foster and improve the national language, literature and the arts that all sections of the people are afforded the opportunity to contribute towards and to participate in the enrichment of the national culture. Article 24.National monuments, memorials, etc. The State shall adopt measures for the protection against disfigurement, damage or removal of all monuments, objects or places of special artistic or historic importance or interest. 3.4.6.1 A clear space around each monument shall be formed as an immediate environmental protection to the monument. This area should follow, as the case may be, the original line of the enclosure wall. 3.4.6.3 In rural or suburban settings, ha parcel of land representing approximately a circular area of a half mile radius of the farmland immediately surrounding the heritage building / monument shall be acquired to protect it from encroachment. 3.4.6.4 In urban areas or metropolitan cities an immediate buffer zone as set by the permitting authorities, but not less than 3 meters in width, adjacent to the heritage building, must be kept absolutely free of any structure or establishment of similar nature surrounding the heritage building or its part thereof. The adjacent buildings (proposed) should follow certain height restrictions to be imposed by the permitting authority.
Strategies for integration The dynamics of rapid urbanization, shifting economic activities, changes in land use pattern, Proposed Pedestrian Access growing density in new settlements, and modern transportation have transformed the city struc- Proposed green on newly defined sidewalk ture. These dynamics need to be managed through the integration of historic urban elements Access to lower layer within the existing fabric. Shifting the focus from individual buildings to the urban context during Proposed courtyard below integration may reinforce the incorporation of the new structures by the urban pattern into the old fabric. Therefore, the integration of the Mughal settlements may be considered as a planning concept and tool to justify the urban form in incorporating the new and the old to maintain urban continuity and identity. Furthermore, establishing guidelines on the nature of interventions is important to meet the standards of historic value and adopt those that respond to the economic and social realities within which the buildings will to be used. The strategies to integrate the Mughal settlements in old Dhaka may be understood by: A. B.
Special planning zone Traffic control Introducing strong control over mechanical traffic at the area is needed. Parking may be considered on the perimeter outside the ring road with loops into the center. The center may be restricted to pedestrian movements, light vehicles, and a limited number of heavy vehicles. The trans- portation route should be developed to establish a link between the periphery and the new city and thus reduce traffic load because of commercial activity. Shifting the focus on water transportation may also reduce traffic load on existing roads. Small routes for heritage walk may be developed within thepresent fabric to promote cultural tourism. C. Preserving the street elevation and the river front D. Civic management E. Relocation and adaptive reuse Different degrees of interventions may be synthesized for different Mughal monuments to avoid rigid- ity in architectural conservation.
Proposed Heritage Hotel Follies Pedestrian Route
Proposed Plaza Proposed Heritage Hotel
Proposed Trees Follies Temporary Installation Proposed Heritage Hotel Courtyard below
Lower level Courtyard for Temporary Installation Proposed Couryard Proposed Plaza Proposed Heritage Hotel Existing Structure to be ratained Proposed Follies Proposed Courtyard Proposed Lower Level Courtyard
Proposed public programs
Existing structures to be preserved Connection between Levels Courtyard below Follies
Access to lower level
Proposed Heritage Hotel
Proposed Follies Proposed Plaza Proposed Follies Proposed Green Area
. The Central Jail area will present an opportunity for much sought after open space, clubs, parks or others recreation .Road widening proposal of the major roads surrounding the jail site may be accommodated by giving land from project area. Thus the road surrounding the Central Jail may be widened considering the traffic load, requirement of loading unloading facility to commercial areas, Taxi and Truck stand. .Identification of the historic structures is urgent to ensure the history of Old Dhaka. In order to safeguard the successful use of the recreational facilities of the Buckland Bund area, the historical buildings are to be earmarked, renovated and adaptive reuse to be ensured. In most cases, the important architectural monuments can accommodate different public functions like museum, library, restaurant, hotel, and also some limited shops to ensure their commercial viability.
Ref: 1. Strategies to integrate the Mughal settlements in Old Dhaka by Mohammad Sazzad Hossain. 2. DMDP Master Plan
Proposed vehicular access
Proposed layered programs
Development Proposals By the government Dhaka Central Jail created an opportunity to redevelop the site with some strategic effect on the whole area of old Dhaka. Once it was the administrative hub of the town, this area gradually lost its importance due to modern Dhaka’s expansion. The present location of Central Jail has been considered as oldest part of the capital city, therefore surrounded on all sides by neighborhood established in British period.
DAP - third and final tier of DMDP (Dhaka Metropolitan Development Plan) 1995-2015 One of the primary roads around old Jail site was (1) Nazimuddin road: This 29ft. wide road on the eastern side of the project area is an important primary road which connects the project area to new Dhaka. (2) Jail road, while encompassing the Central Jail area it connects 25ft. wide Abul Hasnat road on the eastern side and serve the Bangshal area. (3) The Jail road connects Urdu road (24ft. wide) from the west and serves Chak Bazar area in the south and Palashi area in the west. The other access to this area is by Bakshibazar road, which is only 25ft. wide.
Proposed redefined Access Connection between Levels Proposed layered Program space
Proposed Built Form and Pedestrian Access
Proposed redefined Access Proposed follies Proposed Plaza Proposed Planting Strip Proposed Public Arena
Proposed Heritage Hotel Follies Temporary Installation Courtyard below Follies Continued accessible Plaza Connection between Levels Access to the proposed public space Follies
Existing structures to be preserved Proposed layered programs
Proposed follies Temporary Art Installation
Proposed Heritage Hotel Access to Below grade Parking Information Centre Proposed Green Area Access from Parking to Plaza
Proposed pedestrian Access Proposed Event Space Existing Built Form to be retained
Proposed Follies are play sculpture . This will and has been evolved over a period of time . this relates to the nature of events are orevalent in the street. elements of cross programing will bring a new reading of the space.
Proposed Public Arena Redefined existing pool Proposed Plaza Prpoposed seating around Pool Proposed Gymnasium
Existing site open green area and built area ratio
Temporary Instalaltion Existing Structure to be retained Plaza level Plantation Strip
Access to lower level Green room area for open theatre
Proposed Follies on Strategic Location on the site
Existing built form types
Proposed information Booth and ticket Counter Prposed Plaza Level
Existing Structure to be retained Poposed Green area Temporary Installation Access to courtyard below Proposed outdoor Amphitheatre
Proposed Green on Newly Defined Sidewalk Prposed Public Arena Prposed Follies
Existing built form to be retained