Shahbagh: An Urban Reconciliation

Shahbagh: An Urban Reconciliation | UAP

17 November, 2016 Total View: 30

Name: Farah Chowdhury, Sumaiya Naznin, Niaz M. Siddiki Studio: VII ( level – 4, term -1) Studio Master: Srijon Barua, Uday Shankar Year: 2016 University: University of Asia Pacific (UAP)

This urban project is an attempt to find the spirit of vibrant urban dimension of Shahbagh and associate it with the pursuing of knowledge, art, culture exclusive only to Shahbagh and its rich heritage. The studio task tries to explore how taking context as a tool, a design can generate events and ultimately shape urban spaces through formal expression.

Shahbag area is one of the most active zones of urban Dhaka whether it is culturally or politically, publicly or as educational district. Library is the universe of knowledge situated in this tremendous context has introduced many urban issues and challenges and to deal with. So here the concept is to activate the whole zone from TSC to central library at Shahbag. As this area is dedicatedly responsive to the events of art and culture so the concept is to use this idea for the whole zone. The idea of exhibition walls is inspired from the event of ‘gonojagoronmoncho photographic exhibition’ back in 2013 & our very favorite Art College art wall.

What if the walls could be dissolved and given a purpose to connect through art and culture. Then the walls could be the media for public to speak up. There are walls for artists to exhibit their works for people. On the other hand we have opened up spaces which will act to increase the public interactions. “the more people interacts the more activity grows” we have proposed to revive the ‘Chobir hat’ not only for exhibitions but also for the public events like open concerts , fests , shows. And also for opening up this areas will increase the sense of belonging to different groups and promote positive usages along the urban edges.

The project further explores the context of public library at Shahbag upon the urban dimensions of the built form and site, looking at the core values and impacts of the libraries in our societies and translating them as an urban intervention project. So the library is conceived as not just an isolated piece of building rather an urban component, an urban intervention.

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