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Sadarghat river front development
Promenades and pavilions on the banks of the Buriganga
Sadarghat Riverfront Develop-ment could be an extremely critical project for an economic and social rejuvenation of not just old Dhaka but the whole city. Sadarghat is one of the most dynamic areas in Dhaka, but its fullest potential has not yet been realised. Part of one of the historic centers of Dhaka where the city begins and a vital riverine node, the area has now become the symbol of sharp physical and environmental deterioration of the river and its banks. With thoughtful and imaginative planning, and daresay bold, Sadarghat could be transformed into something befitting the riverfront of any civilised city. Be doing so, it could provide renewed recreational, civic, economic, and transport facilities not experienced before. This could be done through a set of urban design and architectural strategies with the intention of creating a generous and organised public realm, and a greater social and economic benefit (than the current lowest common commercial profits). The following ideas are proposed:
(1) A clean river and a decent riverfront, enjoyable and accessible to everyone. Currently, even the immediate residents of old Dhaka are exiled from the banks of the river. The river needs to be returned back to the city. A new authority the Riverbank Authority could be established empowered to maintain the mission of the new riverfront.
(2) The vitality of the river should be maintained, but with modification of the adverse features. Different dynamic activities on and along the river should be systematically promoted, such as boat racing, water pageants, and tourism related activities.
Canal bank
(3) The banks of the river should be declared as public space allowing no private encroachment and building of any sort.
(4) The whole length of the riverbank along the city should be developed as a tree-lined promenade, largely a pedestrian public space that is linked to other open and green spaces, historic sites, residential and commercial centers.
(5) Pedestrian and vehicular traffic along the riverbank should be carefully segregated so that there is mostly uninterrupted pedestrian movement. Keeping the pedestrian and vehicular traffic separate horizontally, or taking the pedestrian above the vehicular path may do this. The current flood protection wall built seven feet above the existing street level gives a cure to build a walkway above the wall. The lower level could be used as vehicular road, car park, or some commercial functions.
(6) The Ahsan Manzil area should be maintained as a civic place, with the current museum as the focal point, but with better connections to the city side. Ali Mia's Talao is another unique urban treasure that now lies completely inaccessible. The new riverfront design could establish links to such significant spots towards the city side.
(7) Initiate a set of “selective surgery” whereby certain buildings are retained, and certain others are removed or transformed.
(8) Heighten the potential of existing cultural nodes, such as Bulbul Academy, and thus infuse new cultural dynamics to the area.
Sadarghat proposed plan
(9) The existing terminal building and the area should be radically transformed (most of the troubles of the area stem from the terminal building). The terminal building may be shifted wholesale to other accessible point or split into two with each terminal dedicated to upriver and downriver direction.
(10) The economic life of the area could be revitalised manifold through new commercial generators, such as well-planned shops and markets (rather than the “lakri” stores, chhapras and hovels lining the river now), hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises. All these could create a tourist potential that in turn will generate new economic bonanza.
[The suggestions for Sadraghat area are extracted from an urban design workshop sponsored by The Daily Star and Chetana Archiecture Research Society in 1999, and coordinated by Kazi Khaleed Ashraf.]