New Thesis on Redevelopment of Chawk Bazar Market

Project Title: চক চত্বর Redevelopment of Chawk bazar market complex as an Impressionistic Museum of Memory Lane, Chawk bazar, old Dhaka.
Location: Chawk Bazar, Old Dhaka
Site Area: 2 Acre
Student Name: Athena Rahman
Studio: Design X
Studio Guide: Mohammad Habib Reza PhD, Mohammad Zillur Rahman, Jalal Ahmed, Naim A. Kibria
Year: 2023
University: BRAC University

Project Vision and Philosophy

Old Dhaka, a historic township, stands as a living testament to centuries of rich history, vibrant culture, and architectural heritage. However, the effects of unplanned urbanization have left the area grappling with deteriorating infrastructure, congested streets, and inadequate civic amenities. Amidst this urban sprawl lies Chawk Bazar, the heartbeat of Old Dhaka, renowned for its historical, cultural, and commercial importance. This iconic marketplace has long been a hub for wholesale commerce, attracting traders and buyers nationwide with its competitive prices and strategic location.

Historically, Chawk Bazar flourished during the Mughal era as a bustling trading post catering to the elite. With faded-away glory, the entire area has turned into a marketplace with small workshops and factories for crafted items. Besides, the 400-year-old Iftar Bazar and wholesale market of jewelry, plastic toys, and various items are gaining traction for competitive prices. However, now the original Chawk (civic plaza) space has sprawled into a dense neighborhood of vibrant color, Culture, history, and economy.

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This redevelopment project adopts a New Contextual lens, embracing a holistic understanding of Chawk Bazar’s socio-cultural and economic significance. The vision is to transform the market into a multi-dimensional space that revitalizes its historic essence while addressing modern needs. By preserving its heritage and integrating contemporary functionality, the project aims to reposition Chawk Bazar as a thriving cultural and economic center.

The project seeks innovative strategies to manage the site’s valuable heritage amidst rapid urbanization, leveraging insights from historical research, stakeholder consultations, and global best practices in urban heritage management. The focus is on a sustainable, equitable design framework that respects Chawk Bazar’s character while enabling economic regeneration.

Redevelopment of Chawk Bazar Market : Key Design Objectives

Preservation of few significant buildings and Regeneration:

The redevelopment prioritizes preserving Chawk Bazar’s unique identity by retaining selected original structures as more than “157” business years of historical significance. These heritage elements will blend seamlessly to regenerate with contemporary architectural interventions, ensuring continuity and respect for its past.

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Functional and Vibrant Spaces:

The design incorporates diverse spaces, including formal and semi-formal marketplaces, hawker- friendly zones, and communal areas. These dynamic spaces will act as transitional zones, uniting historical and modern elements while catering to the daily needs of traders, visitors, and the local community.

Heritage Pathways to evoke memories:

To perceive the old scale, texture, chaos (micro activity)- a heritage walk connecting the historic Old Dhaka Jail to the Showari ghat riverfront will serve as a cultural trail, offering visitors a sense of past memories.

Sustainable and Interactive Elements:
Pocket interactive spaces, retractable solar shades, and multipurpose rooftops will provide much- needed breathable environments within the dense urban fabric, fostering interaction and sustainability.

Balancing Intangible Heritage and Modernity:
Old Dhaka’s intricate details, dynamic lifestyle, and cultural vibrancy have long captivated its residents and visitors. However, the encroachment of unchecked commercial growth threatens to erode its unique charm. Hence, this project proposes thoughtful solutions to accommodate contemporary approaches wherever needed:

Integrative Design: Merging old and new elements through cohesive, context-sensitive design strategies. Example- keeping the old staircase along with an escalator in the new intervention.

Maximizing Utility: Creating functional spaces while retaining historical structures, standard corridors, shop modules and enhancing accessibility.

Community-Centric Development: Establishing hawker-friendly zones, multipurpose areas for occasional sprawl and terraces to support diverse activities and foster inclusivity.

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The proposed redevelopment of Chawk Bazar envisions a harmonious blend of heritage preservation and modern functionality. The concept is not only to conserve building elements, but to manage heritage. It is the urban fabric that people over there have built through their activity for the past 400 years. By addressing contemporary challenges while safeguarding its cultural essence, the project aspires to rejuvenate Chawk Bazar as a center of commerce, culture, and community. It will stand as a sustainable urban heritage management model, ensuring that this historic market continues to thrive for generations to come.

Redevelopment of Chawk Bazar Market: Jury comments

Architect Ehsan Khan: “If any redevelopment work is to be done in Puran Dhaka, this approach should be considered.”
Architect  Rafiq Azam & Architect Jalal Ahmed: “Having been born and raised in Puran Dhaka, this project surely evoked our memories. It demonstrates a viable approach to handling growth and heritage.”
Architect Mustafa Ameen: “While the design may appear complex, it represents a novel approach that effectively engages with the context.”