MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF AN OLD COMMERCIAL AREA: KHATUNGONJ, CHITTAGONG, BANGLADESH
Presented By: Sanjida Hasan Presented To: Dr. Sami Sabri
Dr. Sahar Imam
Dr. Aliaa Al Sadaty
HISTORY OF URBAN MORPHOLOGY
TABLE OF CONTENTS • Site Introduction
• Site Location • Historical Timeline • Before & After Images
• Growth Pattern • Site Surrounding • Detailed Area Analysis
• Physical Aspects • Morphological Change
• Morphological change in Block pattern • Change in Growth • Change in Land use
• Non-Physical Aspects • Activities & Festivities • Findings from Analysis • SWOT Analysis
• Guidelines
SITE INTRODUCTION Khatungonj is the 1st growth center and an old wholesale market district in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Chittagong is a major port since 9th Century and was used as a maritime silk route.
Site Location :
Fig : MACRO SCALE Map of Bangladesh Chittagong
Fig : MESO SCALE
Khatungonj District : Major Accesses Local Access Node : Laal Dighi Node Regional Access Node : Shah Amanat Node Waterways Access : Karnaphuli River > Fishery Ghat > Khatungonj
Fig : MICRO SCALE
Khatungonj District Area: 79 Acres
Selected Site Area: 19Acres 1 Acre = 4046 sq.m / 43,560 sft Site Boundary : Chaktai Canal on East, Channel of Chaktai Canal on South Korbaniganj Road on North
1666 : Mughal Nawabs of Bengal (Islamic Architecture)
Historical Timeline:
Shaista Khan claimed Bengal from Arakans and constructed a lot of Mughal (Islamic) influenced Mosques & buildings. Decorated screen, domes, floral (Lily, rose) & geometric motifs, Marbles
1863 : Chittagong Municipality, Pakistan
21st Century
1947 liberated from British rule. Moon, Star & Flag
Modern ,10 storied Glassed
9th Century BC
Arabs and others using this port as Maritime Silk Route
1971 : Liberation
1760 : British Colonial (Indo-Saracenic)
1338 : Sultanate Period
Sultan Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah started the era. Aulia Badr Shah (R) came to Chittagong from Iran to preach Islam & his followers built his Mazar in Khatungonj
British East India Company ruled Bengal for 100 years. They adapted colonial architecture with traditional Bengal architecture with some Mughal Features. Symmetry, Classical arch. Feats specially Corinthian columns colonnade porch etc.
Socialist Architecture & 6 storied
1338
2018
Before & After Images: On left top to bottom (a-c) Sultanate Period Fig: (a) Badr Aulia (R) Mazar – 1338 • Pioneer of Islam in Chittagong, thus in Bengal, who arrived from Iran. • People from all religion visits his Mazar specially on Thursday.
a 1978
2022
1st Tower of Chittagong. It is believed that the tomb was built at the bank of Karnaphuli (Chaktai Canal). It had 2 accesses in east (Street front) & west(Canal-front). Now, the west gate is closed and A new gate is made on East in front of the old gate.
Post-Colonial Period (British) Fig: (b) Shop of Pitambar Shah “Whatever cannot be found anywhere, can be found in the shop of Pitambar Shah” is the local saying for this tiny old shop. The shop owner came here for business with variety of dried herbs & medicinal plants (specially Ayuvedic & Yunani) from Bihar, India. Now, the 4th Generation runs the business. Goods for veneration, traditional food, decoration items, herbal medicinal items, roots, dried fruits & spices etc. can be found here.
b 1962
Fig: (c) A commercial Building in Khatungonj This is the picture of a Typical Commercial building in the wholesale market of Khatungonj which is mostly unchanged in Built form and function both. c
2018
Chaktai Canal as trade and transport route Fig: (a) The pictures of Artist Shohag Parvez shows the earlier width of Chaktai Canal .
The width used to range from 120’ (at mouth) to 90’ At Present, 60’(at mouth) to 30’. Fig: (b) The image shows large trading ships docked at Karnaphuli river mouth, from there smaller boats would carry the goods in khatungonj. Fig: (c) shows Canalfront entrance for goods loading-unloading. Apart from these, the canal is one of the major Drainage Canal for Chittagong.
Fig : (a)
Fig (b) - top,
Fig: (c) - Bottom
GROWTH PATTERN The Growth of Chittagong started from Khatungonj through Chaktai Canal as major waterways transport route. Later the city expanded towards North-west. The ORGANIC growth started from 1948 haphazardly due to the lack of planning laws, ownership and plot division.
Fig : Urban Growth pattern of Chittagong
Fig : Direction of Growth (N-W)
Fig : Change of Built up area (1989-2014)
SITE SURROUNDING
Streets & Landmarks
Sultanate Period Top to bottom (a-b) British Colonial Fig: (a) Anderkilla (Inner fort) Jame Masjid - Listed Fig: (b) Court Building - Listed
Streets & Nodes Khatungonj Road is an ACCESS ROAD. 18’ to 27’ at the end Node Narrow Alley widths in warehouse areas range from 6’-8’ Heavy Vehicles run in the street all day & night
DETAILED AREA
Socio-economic Analysis: Popular Mazars are located here and influenced the growth
Age Group 2% 2% 6% 6%
25-55 year’s men use the area most for job & business
60% in total
0-4yrs
10-14 yrs
8%
15-19yrs 20-24yrs
30%
9%
Main Activity : Business
25-29yrs 30-49yrs
14% Ownership : 80% Rented
5-9yrs
8%
15%
50-59yrs 60-64yrs 65+
Land use & Building Age Map:
Fig : Land Use Plan, CDA map correct by Author
Major Land use: Mixed Use – 41%, Commercial – 30% Impact of urban sprawl 5% Warehouse took up the area.
Fig : Building Age Plan, CDA map correct by Author
Major Growth: 1st phase of Growth : Colonial Period. 2nd phase of Growth : After Liberation in 1971
Building condition & Type Map:
Fig : Structure Condition, CDA map correct by Author
Building Condition: Critical– 39%, Bad – 23% The site has prospect of opening up spaces by demolishing critical conditioned buildings.
Fig : Building Age Plan, CDA map correct by Author
Structure Type: 88% Permanent structure of Brick & Concrete exist on site.
Floor No. & Vegetation Map:
Fig : Structure Condition, CDA map correct by Author
Building Height: 38% 1-storied shops & warehouses
Fig : Building Age Plan, CDA map correct by Author
Open Space: Only 7% Vegetation with 13% Water surface Risks of flood & water logging
Streets & Landmarks:
a
b
c
On left top to bottom (a-c) Sultanate Period Fig: (a) Badr Aulia (R)Mazar - Listed Mughal Period Fig: (b) Shah Amanat (R)Mazar British Colonial Fig: (c) Pitamber Shah shop
Streets & Landmarks: a
b
d c On left top to bottom (a-d) British Colonial Fig: (a) Laal Dighi Fig: (d) Post Office
c
Pakistan Period Fig: (b) Asadganj Jame Masjid Post-Liberation Fig: (c) Bakshir Haat Kacha Bazar
Streetscape : Street width is narrowest (18’) at entry node. Node 1 – Bakshir Haat
Street width is widest (27’) near the exit. Silhoutte: Sec-1: mostly flat 1F old shops Sec 2: Mid-High (3-10F) Wholesale & new MU. Sec 3: low-very high 1F, 6-10F new MU Sec 4: almost flat 1F (Warehouse)
Significant Buildings & Condition:
1
1
2
4
3
5
6
6
6
7
8
Facade Analysis from different time period:
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGE
Morphological Change in Block pattern
500’
0’
Morphological Change: Growth throughout the years Sultanate Period:
Beginning of Growth
Colonial Period:
Major growth of the area happened
Post-liberation 1971:
The area grew steadily each decade (about 10%)
2010-Present days:
Canalfront is abducted at Alarming rate
LEGEND Before 1989 1990-1999 2000-2010 2014-present
LEGEND Before 1989
LEGEND
LEGEND
Before 1989
Before 1989
1990-1999
1990-1999 2000-2010
Morphological Change: Change in Landuse Colonial period-Post Liberation:
Majorly Wholesale shops, warehouses with few Mixed-use (Shop Houses)
2000-present days
Rise of Mixed-use (Res.-Com). Bank HQs replacing Wholesale shops
2010-present days
Canal-fronts filled with new illegal Warehouses
ACTIVITIES ANALYSIS
Activities:
Everyday Wholesale Market Activities: Significant Buildings:
Activities around the Water bodies & warehouses :
FINDINGS OF ANALYSIS
Findings of Analysis : Active Area with Architectural Historical importance
Problem of TRAFFIC & WATER LOGGING deteriorating the wholesale market
URBAN SPRAWL, new growth is blocking access & view of Canal
New Mixed-use functions are built as an impact of Urbanization, destroying the essence of the area
Canal restoration is crucial for the future of the area and the whole City
SWOT ANALYSIS
GUIDELINES
Guidelines for Regeneration For the Khatungonj District, the mix of MughalColonial-Modern Architecture style of Façade is very interesting. Therefore, this should be prioritized while regeneration. 1. Maintenance of the Old buildings according to their condition. 2. Following the Historical Ground floor Height 9’-10’ (Floor to floor) and typical floor height 10’. 3. Street front elevation should have Verandas that act as pedestrian Roof with Islamic Style. (Railing Height- 2.5’) 4. Mashrabiya (Perforated Screening) in Veranda on upper portion (Max. 2.5’ below ceiling).
Fig 1 (top): Guideline for Canal front with community engagement & Mixed-use function Fig 2 (bottom) : Guideline for Façade development
5. Ornamentation Style : Islamic Geometric Patterns 6. Symmetric Colonnade Front Porch 7. Wooden Door and window Shutter aligning with Old buildings
4 3,5 4 2
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