COMMUNITY FUSION : A Holistic Approach to Neighborhood Integration & Contemporary Living | Bachelors Design Project on Urban Housing

Site Context

The Mixed-Use Housing Complex aims to revolutionise modern living by addressing urban issues from the perspectives of community fusion and holistic neighbourhood integration. Located in Banani, a centre of economic growth, rising land prices, economic inequality, and other problems have made creative solutions necessary. Ensuring socio economic participation, providing equal opportunities, advocating for communal integration, and offering affordable housing options are some of the strategies recommended to address these issues.

The analysis of land use patterns over time shows a rise in mixed-use development and an overall decrease in residential areas. The neighbourhood height profile analysis reveals that building height has increased over time. It is anticipated that in the near future, buildings may reach heights of more than eighteen stories, as the height profile will continue to grow vertically.

Over the years, there has also been a noticeable absence of open areas. The majority of existing open spaces are restricted to a certain group of people and are only open for a limited amount of time. For instance, Gulshan Lake Park and Banani Swat Field are open to the public, but the Banani Club Field is only available to club members. The site analysis also indicates that there appear to be barely any department stores close to residential areas.

Design Process

The strategies for neighbourhood development aims to:

1- Ensure equal access to affordable housing for all socio-economic groups, including middle and higher-mid income groups, by providing easily accessible open spaces, affordable grocery stores, and job opportunities in commercial areas

2- Implement eco-friendly practices such as recreation facilities, tree planting, green corridors, soft pave for pedestrians, and wastebin points to preserve the natural environment.

3- Create a healthy social environment by turning ground level into commercial stores, making the field accessible to everyone in the neighborhood, offering a free Wi-Fi zone, permeable boundary, and a lake edge for public recreational use.

4- Improve urban living by providing equal opportunities, providing daily needs shops, high-end restaurants, affordable food courts/carts, and facilities for festivals

5- Promoting communal integration, a diverse, secure, and resilient neighborhood is being created through the establishment of a commercial store, DNCC’s multi-storey parking plan, accessible fields, relaxing spaces, food carts, and the installation of CCTV and street lights.

Final Outcome

The proposed master plan integrates cultural amenities, a commercial hub, and a variety of public recreation spaces with residential zones in a way that embodies community-centric design. The comprehensive approach envisions a thriving and cohesive neighbourhood in addition to meeting housing needs.

The housing complex serves middle-class private citizens as well as government employees of Bangladesh Bank, promoting peaceful coexistence across socioeconomic divides. The podium level integrates community facilities for the whole neighbourhood, serving as a hub for socioeconomic fusion.

The architectural form is meticulously designed to maximise ground area for public plazas and communal spaces while responding to the dynamics of the site. A wide range of amenities, such as a mosque, indoor games, an open trade fair, retail stores, and restaurants, are available to both locals and guests on the ground floor. An open food village is held in a sunken court located in the basement, which enhances community involvement further. 

A library, multipurpose hall, craft school, salon, shopping centre, exhibition space, workshop, gym and nursery are among the amenities located on the upper podium levels. The housing complex provides six different types of units to accommodate a range of needs and budgets, guaranteeing inclusivity in this dynamic and contemporary endeavour of community living.

The Housing Complex strikes a balance between aesthetics and utility by using concrete for structural stability and adding wooden louvres to control sunlight. In order to provide natural ventilation throughout the complex and lessen the need for mechanical systems, the architectural form is designed with folds and subtractions. By managing stormwater, fostering biodiversity, and offering insulation, green roofs improve sustainability. A harmonious fusion of contemporary living and environmental responsibility is emphasised by the project’s integration of materials and design principles.

Conclusion: The project tackles urban and economic issues in Banani, focusing on equal opportunity, socioeconomic participation, and community integration. It includes affordable housing, public recreation, a commercial center, and cultural amenities, using “New-Contextualism” concepts for socioeconomic fusion and community involvement.

[This Academic Project has been published with text submitted by the student]