DNCC (Gulshan 02) Competition : DNCC + IAB (2021)

Background of the project (By client):

Gulshan 2[which was planned in 1961] is an upscale enclave comprising the affluent and the wealthiest neighborhood of Dhaka and an array of vibrant streets with modern office buildings, apartment buildings, brand shops, embassies, clubs, along with a high-end international dining scene focused on Gulshan Avenue. A well-to-do crowd congregates in stylish cafes and bakeries on the avenue and around Gulshan Circle 2, where stores selling traditional jewelry, fashion houses, daily utensils, and electronics are also clustered. On the other hand, shops for daily needs – from grocery to kacha bazar and shops for lower income people who serve the locality add to the rich diversity of the area. Consequently, the action of Gulshan 2 starts with the consolidation of wealthy neighborhood, corporate users and thousands of lower income groups of people who serve the whole organism.
A Civic Centre is the (often historical) area of a city where commerce, entertainment, shopping, and local governance are concentrated. The given site has great potential and perfect location to be the “Civic Centre” for the Northern part of the Dhaka through its inclusive design.

The project may start with a vision, not just fulfilling the task of designing a marketplace. The vision would be to transform an archetypal marketplace to a desirable “Civic Centre” where citizen will find their voices through “Place-making”. Place-making is a multi-faceted approach to the planning, designing and management of public spaces. It is the process of planning quality public spaces that contribute to the well-being of the local community and also guide it to make economic progress. It capitalizes on local community’s assets, inspiration and potential, with the intention of creating public spaces that promote people’s health, happiness, and well-being. According to the UN Habitat Barcelona declaration 2016, Place making is one of the key aspects of design. The sense of place and the quality of life is the key components of a community life, which is based on its culture and heritage. Therefore, the process of design must recognize the collaborative process of considering physical, cultural and the social identities that define a place. Place making enable Community to claim ownership and enhance a sense of achievement and belonging.
A high commercial building [DNCC Tower] would rise from the northern part of the site, would resemble a pride for the whole complex and would be the symbol of express progress of our country. This high commercial building will fulfill the fast-growing needs for office /business space in this area and would emerge as an investment pouring into the area.
Any public space needs to address sociability, uses & activities, comfort & images, access & linkages with the city to become a ‘great’ public space. Sociability includes welcoming, friendly, interactive spaces where the architectural functions may emphasize both the privileged and the underprivileged: the women, children and elderly citizens, ensure social networks and also the street life and evening life of the locality. Uses and activities of a place can make it more sustainable, celebratory, and active through its land use pattern and retail sales. Considerations for walk-able and green spaces, historical values, and environmental aspects can make a public space more comfortable and can create an “Image of a place” that describe how friendly a city is. Further considerations of traffic, transit usages, pedestrian activities and parking pattern & requirements for the site and surroundings will help to understand the accessibility and linkages of a place. The whole site surrounded by roads in three sides and future high-rise building (northern part of the site) owned by DNCC, may create a unique atmosphere for the urban dwellers. All these contemplations can guide an architect to design a successful Civic Center for the North Dhaka with its livable built environments. This project, funded by the DNCC, is aiming to explore the development of innovative, creative, inclusive, cohesive and sustainable public spaces along with its high commercial demands. A well-thought balance of public and commercial spaces may uplift the project to a coveted center that involves people of all age groups. As architects, we have the responsibility to contribute to the built environment and make choices that may change the world for the better—through better buildings, settlements, thoughtful landscape and urban planning.


Location:
The project is situated in Gulshan model town, City Jorip Daag no-3434, DNCC Market, Gulshan 2, Thana-Gulshan, Dhaka 1212 on a chunk of 11334.17 Sq. M. or 2.295 Acre land.