NOGOR-HAAT

REIMAGINING AN URBAN MARKETPLACE AS THE

NEIGHBORHOOD SQUARE

Seminar II

Submitted in partial fulfillments of the requirements

for the degree of Bachelor of Architecture
Department of Architecture
BRAC University

NASHEEN JAHAN NASIR

12108037

BRAC UNIVERSITY

FALL 2017
 Acknowledgement

First and foremost thanks to Almighty Allah who has always protected me and
loved me unconditionally in all my hardships and joy. I am grateful to my mother
for doing everything in her capacity to support my dreams and passion in life.
Despite being a single mother she has always shown true courage, kindness and
strength.

My fighters Aishwariya Raihan Megha and Fatema Farazana meem for not only
helping me but also for the mental support and encouragement throughout the
thesis journey. I will always be in your debt and will have you people in my heart.

Thanks to my friends Zillur Rahman and Nafis Imtiaz for being my friends since
the very beginning of this journey. My best friend Ramisa Fariha for being there
for me since childhood and for being there for me no matter what.

I am also grateful to my design instructors Abul Fazal MahmudunNobi and Sajid

Bin Doza and Tanzina khan who guided me throughout the process. I am also
grateful to Shakil Ahmed Shimul for inspiring me to never give up in the face of
difficulties. Also thanks to Sirajuddin Raju, Md. Shajjad Hossain, Khondaker
Hasibul Kabir for being great teachers from whom I have learned a lot. Special
thanks to Architect Saif Ul Haq for being very kind and considerate during my first
venture into the professional world.

Thanks to the local people, shopkeepers and government authorities of

Mohammadpur, Townhall market for giving me their valuable time and
information.
Table of contents
Abstract
Chapter 1
1 Introduction

1.1 PROJECT BRIEF

1.2 PROJECT INTRODUCTION
1.2.1 Town Hall
1.2.2 Supermarket
1.3 Problem statement
1.4 Project Rational:
1.5 Scope Of The Project
1.6 Scope Of The Project
1.7 Aims and Objective

Chapter 2

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1Mohammadpur district
2.1.1 Neighborhood
2.2 Islamic city morphology
2.2.1 Bazaar and mosque

2.2.1.1 Iranian city morphology

2.2.2 Origins and culture of Market in western countries
2.3 Public Market
2.3.1Markets Of Dhaka
2.4 Town Square

Chapter3
3Site analysis

3.1 Location and Demographic

3.2 climate and natural environment
3.3 Existing built enviroment:
3.4 existing function analysis
3.4.1 Markets (formal & informal)
3.4.1.1 The InformaL market (BAZAAR)
Physical characteristics
Typology

Vendors
Environment
Edge
3.4.1.1 Formal market:
Typology:
Formal market layout

Site circulation map

The interior spatial environment :
Access
Visibility:
Edge
Informal Vs Formal Market

3.4.2 GOVERNEMNT OFFICES

3.4.3 Shaheed Park Jame Mosque:
3.4.4 Shaheed Park Field:
3.4.5 Open And Unbuilt Space
Chapter4

4 Problem Analysis And Design Strategies:

4.1Problem Analysis And Summary:

a. Underutilized Open Spaces:

b. Scattered Market Access
c. Scattered Market Access

4.2 Interpretation And Concept

Chapter 5

5 case studies

5.1rotterdam Market Hall

5.2 Santa Catarina Market
5.3 Tabriz Market
Chapter 6

6 Form Development

6.1 Existing Programmatic Morphology

6.2 Zoning The Ground Floor
6.3supressing The Bazaar
6.4linking The Open Space
6.5 Creating Neighborhood Squares
6.6adding Retail Market

6.7adding Formal Market

6.8 Adding Office Zone
6.9 Façade And Fenestration
6.10 Adding Steel Framework
6.11adding Canopy
6.12canopy Options

Chapter 7
7 Design drawings
7.1 plans
7.2 section elevations
7.3 space visualization

Conclusion
Reference
Abstract
With flourishing time, thriving technology and ever growing demand the rural
fabric of Bangladesh is transforming into urban districts faster than we can
comprehend and accommodate the traditional integral functions of Haat-bazaars
into our neighborhoods. A city begins with people living together, forming a
neighborhood and developing a community. In rural context ‘’haat-bazaar’’ have
been the focus of cultural and physical fabric of a village and other public
functions grow surrounding it to create a community. In urban neighborhoods
these bazaars exist out of need but fail to adapt to urban scale, demand and
context. Thus it loses the traditional features of openness and spontaneity since
it has no guidelines on adapting into an urban system. Consequently, bazaars
faces traditional identity crisis and it no longer remains the center of a community
as it once used to be.

Townhall is an old neighborhood node in Mohammadpur where the elements of

the neighborhood center such as, ward Councilor office, bazaar, market,
mosque, library, playground, park etc exist but faces structural vulnerability,
political dispute, lack of integration, safety and security. In 2004 Dhaka north city
corporation has decided to renovate 13 markets that were built in 1950’s and are
structurally failing, posing threat to the users. Townhall supermarket in
Mohammadpur, is one of the markets which are to be demolished and rebuilt as
a multi storied modern market. However, this site has the potential to be more
than a mere market but the center of the neighborhood community if the different
functions are thoroughly analyzed and integrated.

The aim is to redevelop the area by rejuvenating the functions, preserving and
connecting the open spaces; thus creating a vibrant neighborhood square where
the community market/bazaar would be at the center. The prime objective was to
preserve the informal characteristics of a traditional bazaar bringing a systematic
balance into the different types of formal and semi-formal markets and municipal
functions. The necessity of an urban square to hold outdoor public events and
festivities and have been considered a top priority as the city demands more
open spaces that can hold activities created by the urban built programs.
CHAPTER 1

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 PROJECT BRIEF:

Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) owns 36 markets in the capital. In 2004 DCC
decided to renovate 13 markets that were built in 1950’s and are structurally
failing, posing threat to users. Townhall Bazar in Mohammadpur, is one of the
supermarkets which are to be demolished and rebuilt as a multi storied modern
market. Established in the 1950’s, the two storied supermarket contains kachaa
bazaar, market, and ward councilor office along with other mixed use shops and
offices. It faces Shaheed park central Mosque along with Shaheed park field. The
Total study area is 5.5 acre.

Client: Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC)

Site Location: Townhall, Mohammadpur, Dhaka

Site Area: 5.5 Acres

Existing Function: Bazar, Market, ward councilor office, offices, mosque. Library,
play field.

User group: inhabitants of local and surrounding neighborhoods

1.2 PROJECT INTRODUCTION:

Civic architecture is governmental building at the center of the community to

serve the community people of the village, town or city. It may contain single or
multiple public functions with civic plaza and sometimes becomes the symbol of
the town. As the idea of civic identity cultivated its’ physical manifestation
reflected in ancient Greek Agora and Roman Forum. They had administrational
function enclosed and public functions surged towards the city with courtyards
and shaded arcades. The agora and forums became such a popular identity of
civic buildings that later in European and American civic buildings kept following
the traditional architecture. With colonization and western influence Indian
subcontinent built their civic building with western notion and styles of
architecture having no relation with the local identity. Under similar tradition Town
hall super market was established in 1950 in Mohammadpur, a residential town
of Dhaka metropolitan city.

Town hall super market, as the name suggests the building is implied to be a
town hall with a super market serving the local neighborhood serving both
socially and politically. Supposedly, it is an ideal place for people gathering and
social interaction. However, the identity of a place is not defined by only its name
but also by its use. To understand and evaluate Townhall supermarket’s use and
identity we must analyze the functional, political and social identity of the site.

1.2.1 Town Hall:

Town hall is a municipal building used for the local government where meetings
are held at which a politician or public official answers questions from members
of the public.

The main function of a Town Hall is town hall meetings where the
government interacts with each other and with the public.

1.2.2 Super market:

According to oxford dictionary, a super market a large retail market that sells
food and other household goods and that is usually operated on a self-service
basis.

After Townhall building was established it functioned as a market not as the

official civic building a Town hall is supposed to be. During 1970-71 kacha
bazaar which is an open air food market was added. Later shops and various
offices added to the market. Townhall developed as a mixed use formal and
informal marketplace. The function of market is not only trading and commercial
benefit but it also creates opportunities for interactions and gathering thus
transforming into a public space.
Mohammadpur area was planned during 1955’s with prominent grid pattern with
play fields scattered through the streets. The area had been a muslim populated
community with many mosques situated closely to one another. During 1980’s
Shaheed park central mosque was built next to Town hall. The mosque became
a landmark for the area with active gathering place for not only regular mosque
goers but also for the young people. Gradually the mosque developed and built
madrasa above the mosque and supermarket in the ground floor.
‘’In the Islamic city planning, the suq (market) is placed near the central mosque
for the purpose of the economy and social integration’’ (Mortada, 2003; Omer,
2005).
With the field, mosque, bazaar, market and Townhall the site becomes a
prominent node for the Mohammadpur area. However none of the functions are
working properly due to unplanned and unchecked development.

As a result, it demands a solution for the neighborhood with thorough study,

research, survey of the site to understand the existing political, economic,
physical, social setting; a solution with design and development which would
renew the identity of Town Hall area.

1.3 Problem statement:

As widely as it is used the building is failing both in form and function.

A. Identity crisis

The Townhall contains the city council office and it should work as a town hall
should. However, due to unplanned functional structure the office is unable to
perform as a civic building which should promote public gathering and
discussion. Even though the name of the area is Town hall the function of the site
is mainly market both open and indoor. The site is known to people around the
city as a bazaar not as Townhall. People do not ask twice about why the site is
named Town hall and the use is not. One of the reasons for it is that the local
people do not know the functions, nature and social implication of a building
called town hall. As western cities and towns, town halls are not built in
Bangladesh.

As the name suggests the site functions properly as neither town hall nor
supermarket. A big portion of it is bazaar and multifunctional cluster of small
shops. In the circumstances the site begs the question of what it is and it should
be.

B. Structural vulnerability

The building was built 60 years ago the structural condition is deteriorating
putting hundreds of people in risk. The building fabric reflects the degradation
both internally and externally with washed out plaster of the slab revealing the
steel reinforcement ex to environmental decay.

Ventilation and lack of natural light is another significant problem. The ground
floor markets inside have no system for natural light entry and the whole space
gives an impression of bring underground. Lack of windows creates a huge
problem for ventilation. Poor Mechanical ventilation have been installed to
improve the situation but it has very little effect. Instead of addressing this issue
the government had attempted a restoration work in 2011

C. Political dispute

The whole site is owned by the government however, most of shops and markets
are led by leaseholders. Even if the government has development and redesign
plans the local leaseholders do not trust the government and are not allowing
them to demolish the building.

D. Underutilized open space

There are several open spaces waiting to be utilized however at the moment they
are not open to public. Some are open but not accessible and safe for everyone.
There is a huge opportunity for a connected neighborhood parks and open
spaces.

1.4 Project Rational:

The stated problems of the site demand a solution.

Since the government wishes to rebuild the supermarkets it is vital that this
particular site has to deal with severe consideration as the site is named Town
hall and it has DCC ward commissioner office.

A design solution considering the site at macro and micro level with prediction of
the future population growth, urbanization, economic opportunities and social
ramifications of the site is crucial.

1.5 Scope of The Project:

 A unique site to study the co-existence of Town hall and Bazaar together
situated in Dhaka and potential emergence of a new ‘Town hall-market’
typology suited for local context and climate.
  A scope to study the functions of bazaar (traditional open air market) and
supermarket (modern indoor markets) work together.
 Designing a framework built for multifunctional public programs which
could be used as a model in similar functional typology
 It has the potential to grow as a public gathering place for the
neighborhood by linking open spaces.
 Great potential for community service by providing local needs and
demands and a public space that would hold the community

1.6 Thesis statement:

To redevelop and redesign the area of Townhall by forming a unified

marketplace with linked neighborhood squares which serves the
neighborhood community
1.7 Aims and Objective:

The aim is to renew the area by rejuvenating the functions of town hall and
marketplace with redesign and redevelopment, connecting them with public
spaces that an urban neighborhood desperately demands

Objective:

 Study the existing functional relation between bazaars, public markets and
offices to understand the traditional bazaar morphology
 Study the characteristics of public functions, public space and where the
characteristics are stronger than other places and how they affect each
other.
 Finding a design layout/framework of how multiple public functions of the
site should coexist
 Reinstating the function of Town hall in the site; studying the Town hall
morphology that reflects the town and goes best with the site in context
 Opening the access and vista to the open spaces
CHAPTER 2

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

Dhaka consists 36 wards, with total 3957302 population (Dhaka North City
Corporation). The wards are urbanized area, some planned and some were
unplanned and developed organically. Mohammadpur was planned during
1950’s with grid pattern. It consists of

Source:Dhaka structure plan

2.1 ‘’Mohammadpur Thana (Dhaka metropolitan) area 7.44 sq km, located in
between 23°44' and 23°46' north latitudes and in between 90°19' and 90°22' east
longitudes. It is bounded by ADABAR THANA on the
north, DHANMONDI and HAZARIBAGH thanas and SAVAR upazila on the south, SHER-
E-BANGLA NAGAR thana on the east, Savar upazila on the west.’’(Bangladesh
Bureau of Statistics, 2011)

(BBS,2011).

The existing detail area map of Mohammadpur

Source: Final Report .Preparation of Detailed Area Plan (DAP) for DMDP Area:
Group-C, RAJUK

The proposed detail area map of Mohammadpur

Source: Final Report .Preparation of Detailed Area Plan (DAP) for DMDP Area:
Group-C, RAJUK
2.1.1 Neighborhood

Ward no 31 consists of seval neighborhoods. The neighborhoods here are

formed through streets with 4-5 storied buildings facing each other sharing the
immediate street. The sense of neighborhood is established by the children who
regularly play in the streets.

Neighborhood definition

Successful cities are made with successful neighborhoods. Neighborhoods

should be compact, safe, with environmental and psychological comfortable
environment for the dwellers.

the neighborhood community is developed when the users have common urban
amenities, facilities and place to share.

Community facilities serve the basic needs of residents and are essential to the
liveability and investment potential of the City. With respect to neighborhood and
community design, they can provide a focus for activity and, by doing so,
contribute to the definition of each neighborhood or community's character.
Policies in the Framework Element provide the opportunity to locate community
facilities in a manner that reinforces or defines the character of the communities
or neighborhoods in which they are located. Given current fiscal constraints,
facilities could be shared and financed/developed by non-traditional means.

The townhall bazaar is used by several neighborhoods from both mohammadpur

and lalmatia areas. The community is knit through the town hall area with its
several civic and cultural functions. The most common ones are bazaar and
Shaheed park mosque.

2.2 Islamic city morphology

As the Townhall site consists commercial, religious functions alongside public

space, other cities and towns with similar concentration of typology of building
functions have been reviewed. Traditional Islamic cities have similar religious and
commercial practices and social behavior.

2.2.1 Bazaar and mosque

Mosque and bazaar are both Islamic component closely related to each other.
Mosque (religious space) and Bazaar (economic space) were the two main urban
elements for the formation and direction the growth of the city, similar to other
Islamic cities(Arefian, Estaji, Jabbari, Koledova, Fatemi, 2015). Whereas mosque
is spiritual, religious and social establishment, bazaar is at the same time social,
commercial, cultural entity. Bazaar is created out of need of the community. It is
part of social, cultural and economical activity and characteristic of urban
dwellers in cities. "the boundaries of the property and hence, any social-political
system, the production of the Bazaar space as its expression at the level of the
community's endorsement is given (Harvey, 2005).

In the Islamic city planning, the suq (market) is placed near the central mosque
for the purpose of the economy and social integration (Mortada, 2003; Omer,
2005). The bazaar organically grew around the old meydan and the Friday
mosque (Pourjafar et al., 2014).

Bazaar means a marketplace or assemblage of shops where miscellaneous

goods and services are displayed to buy and sell [K. Pirnia, “Islamic Architecture
of Iran”, Elm-o- Sanat Publications, Tehran, Iran, 1990.].
Figure:1
DIAGRAM OF THE ISLAMIC CITY, based on plan
of Kandahar (1880).
Figure:2
THE TRANSFORMATION OF A MAIN STREET IN HELLENISTIC BERRHOEA INTO THE
SOUQ/BAZAAR OF ALEPPO: (1) Hellenistic paved way with colonnades and larg shops behind
them, (2) the shops occupy colonnades, (3) the paved way is occupied by shops and dwellings.
Source : The Spread of Islam, Rogers 1976.

By taking a quick glance at the broad region of the Islamic world, we find the fact
that all of the traditional Islamic cities are very similar in their general composition
and planning so it is difficult to differentiate them or to identify their locations,
from their pictures or plans. In spite of the climatical differences among the wide
world of the Islamic culture and the variety of people and their customs and
languages, all believers of this religion have settled in a similar manner
(TAHERI,1980, URBAN ELEMENTS OF TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC CITIES).
Figure 3. A schematic model of Islamic city (Kheirabadi, 2000).

In Islamic cities, Bazaar has been the main axis and economic of the city, that
various goods manufacturing and distribution centers and warehouses were
replaced in monetary exchanges (Kiani, 2008).
2.2.1.1 Iranian city morphology
ISFAHAN BAZAAR:
Isfahan an Iranian city have been chosen to study since Isfahan city’s old
functions are very similar with Townhall’s functions.

By the 11th century, after selecting Isfahan as the capital of Saljuqi period, the
old square had become the center of the city and old square become such an
important urban space, that is a big difference in that particular era. It had a
castle, bazaar (Figure 2), and mosque and residential. There were some
peripheral markets along the main streets radiating from the old square from at
least that time (Sarraf,2010). Despite the sudden expansion of the city, the
Isfahan bazaar was kept as the main urban structures for the new visionary city.
Isfahan bazaar remains one of the best examples of the Eastern bazaars, in
terms of character, size and architecture.( Isfahan School of urban design: a
morphological perspective,2015). Its (Isfahan city) dual function as an emporium
and as a capital manifested in Bazaars and in the courtly buildings that gave
Isfahan the reputation of an oriental Versailles (Jayyusi et al., 2008).

Fig. 4 : VIEW OF COVERED BAZAAR OF ISFAHAN, Iran. Source : Isfahan, Architectural Review, May
1976.
Figure 5. Pre-planned urban expansions in Isfahan (source: Habibi, 2008).

Figure: 6 PLAN OF BAZAAR OF ISFAHAN FROM THE FRIDAY MOSQUE TO THE MAIDAN,
Iran.
Source : Isfahan, Architectural Review, May 1976.

The main mosque of Islamic city was usually located near a large plaza
(Meydan), main routes were connected the main meydan to the city gates.
Commercial spaces were usually located on the sides of those routes near the
city centre and around the main Meydan (Kheirabadi, 2000).

Source: International Journal on “Technical and Physical Problems of Engineering” (IJTPE), Iss.
9, Vol. 3, No. 4, Dec. 2011
.According to the concept of center point define it moves in time and creates the
line (Bakhtiar, 1973.). And also passage ways were in fact branches of the linear
bazaar which connected the city centre to neighborhood centre [Karimi, 1997,
Ramezani, Hamidi,2010].
Figure 11. Iranian traditional cities source [E. Ehlers, W. Floor, “Urban Change in Iran, 1920-
1941”, Iranian Studies, Taylor and Francis Ltd., On Behalf of International Society for Iranian
Studies 26, No. 3/4, pp. 251-275, Summer 1993]

Figure 12: E. Ehlers, “Cities: IV. Modern Urbanization and Modernization in Persia”,
Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol.
5.6, pp. 623-29, 1991.
Three types of bazaar morphology have been found in Iran,
1) Bazaar with connecting the gates
2) Bazaar as the major street of the city
3) Bazaar as the linear element in urban fabric, Assari et al,2011
Dhaka’s neighborhood informal bazaars act as the linear element in urban fabric.
These bazaars are flexible and spontaneous. In both Iranian and Bangladeshi
bazaars the mix land use is complex and the lack of space for parking is always
a problem. Townhall bazaar is socially sustainable however not environmentally.

Figure 12:Values and functions of the historic bazaars in Iran (Source: Ebrahimi, Rahimian, Loron,
IMPACTS OF URBAN PASSAGES ON FORMATION OF IRANIAN BAZAARS:
Case Study of the Historic Bazaar of Tabriz,2013).

Figure 13, Traditional structure of Iranian Cities(source, ibrahimi et al, 2013)

Figure 14
Comparison of the traditional urban entrance pathways, city centres and city
gates with the new city pathways in Tabriz (Source: Naghsh e Jahan Consultant
Engineers; Analysis: Authors)

In economic theory, "the emergence of cities is considered to be a result of the

trade", the city, the commercial routes to the truckers deal with this market
segment, the route to arrive (Shokuie, 2004). Polanyi (1957) defined, ‘the market
is the locus of exchange’.

Urban markets in skeletal tissue for human intertwined, that economic, social and
cultural relations of a society can be fitted and modern trading Bazaars, emerging
as a phenomenon in developing countries is added (Kiani, 2008).
2.2.2 Origins and culture of Market in western countries:
In the west the concept of Bazaar is not new. The traditional customs of trade
and interaction have been practices since the ancient times. There was no Greek
city without an acropolis, a theater or a market(Bill,1998). There market was
called agora and it closely associated with civic buildings and functions. The
most common assembly place was the pnyx, an open air podium where the
citizens met to consider and discuss affairs of state. The agora or marketplace
the center of urban activity, was irregular in form(Gallion,1950). Since the ancient
times, markets stretched in front of Assembly hall or town hall. Accessible from
the agora square, but not facing upon it, were the assembly halls(ecclesiasteron),
council hall(boueuterion), and council chamber(prytaneum)

Source: Agathe.gr

2.3 Public Market: A venue where organized groups of vendors gather on a

regular Basis in a common location to market food products for which they are
directly responsible. The larger scope of high risk, ready to eat food. (PUBLIC
MARKET GUIDELINES,2001)

With time and evolution of a city the bazaar goes through changes too.
Sometimes the traditional old ways of bazaar can not cope with the growth and
demand of the dwellers. The place becomes disorganized and problems arise.
Structural vitality is also important. However, in the process of redevelopment,
the intrinsic cultural qualities of the markets have the tendency to fade as the
markets become more modernized than their previous state (Kim, Lee, & Ahn,
2004; Vural Arslan, 2015). In order to, modernize and renovate the old structures
of market or bazaar the bazaars are rebuilt and often lose their intrinsic indentity.
Change is an inevitable part of urbanization, which affects the rise and fall of
markets (Fava, Guàrdia, & Oyón, 2010; Hanachi & Yadollahi, 2011; Kim, Lee, &
Ahn, 2004; Tangires, 2008). In Asia, market vendors contribute from 10 to 35
percent of the growth of the informal sector (United Nations Task Team, 2015).

In bagladesh retail markets grow spontaneously due to lack of control and

lagging rules.

Retail sellers are usually immigrants from rural areas who come to Dhaka in
search of work. It is easy to work in retail sector as no educational qualification or
license is required. Among various types of occupational patterns in the informal
sector, retailing activities as an entry point are attractive to immigrant groups,
since they provide the opportunity of self employment with minimal capital
investment and technical constraints (Paddison,et.al., 1990). The spatial changes
in the former one reflect the penetration of western consumer values; where as
the informal sector represents a potential solution to unemployment in developing
countries (Mortuza; 1987).

In dhaka New market is the oldest and designed public market which functions
successfully even today serving a large number of people of all class. After New
market, other retail markets chadnichawk and Hawkers market have been built.
However, they were no planned for market. Which is why they lack the appeal of
New market.

In the late 1990 modern supermarkets have been built with artificial ventilation and
circulation system as they were not government planned. These markets attracted
customers but lack the open traditional qualities of a public market.
2.4 Town Square

Figure: Studying the morphology of cities and towns and the functional conetration of
town center

Source: author

Combining Asian and western city morphology we can come to the conclusion
that civic, commercial, religious and public spaces all creat a town center or
square which holds and knits these functions together.
Figure: Functionality and sustainability

Source: author

In a town center civic, commercial, religious, and civic space exists to

complement each other functions. In the study site Townhall all of the functions
exist except the govt offices.

There are separate entities of building for each functions, however the civic
functions such as the councilor office, housing authority, political party offices
were built on top of the functions. A separate functional space is needed for the
government offices.

There is a possibility that these functions could be provided their separate

identity using the site name. Even though the site is called Townhall however, the
functions of a proper Town hall do not work here. If the existing civic functions
could be part of a Town hall then a pace could be provided for the govt
authorities and public interaction as well. However, the validity of a Town hall is
questionable in the site since it is western philosophy and is not practiced here.
In this scenario A town hall could be established considering political, social
context and size and scale of the project site area
Chapter3

3 Site analysis:

3.1 Location and Demographic

Town hall are stands at the middle of asad avenue and Mohammadpur bus
stand. It is also the front and gateway to Mohammadpur with its landmark
shaheed park moqsue and townhall building. Azam road and sher shah suri road
intersects at the middle of the mosque and market. This part of Mohammadpur
has been called ward no 42 however, recently the warn number has changed
and it is now ward no 31.
3.2 climate and natural environment

The area is noisy with traffic. The traffic is generally created by schools abd bus
stand.

It faces a park which has been an achievement of government. They designed

narrow small park for the neighborhood which is used very much by the school
students and housewives.
3.3 Existing built enviroment:

Full site mapping

Solid void
Road mapping
LAND USE MAP
GREEN MAP
Height and Landuse map

3.4 existing function analysis

Townhall consists a multiple function and subfunctions under that. Inititally this
place was meant to be a supermarket only but with time functions added
sometime with demand and sometimes for revenue regardless of consequence.

The markets, mosque, DCC civic offices and the open space all make townhall a
diverse and vibrant place for user purpose.
3.4.1 Markets (formal & informal):

3.4.1.1 The InformaL market (BAZAAR):

The informal part of traditional market is known as bazaar. It is an open aire

market with few parts inside the building. The main bazaar street is 500 feet long
and the width varise from 25 feet to 10 feet in places. It stretches east to west
while facing residential neighborhood on north and townhall supermarket on
south side. Besides using as bazaar circulation, This street s used for walking
and passing by the neighborhoods.The adjacent residences have shops or
stores on the ground floor which becomes a part and façade of the bazaar.
Similarly the market on south has grocery shops and poultry shops facing the
bazaar.

Source: author

Physical characteristics:

The stalls are made of a polythene as roof tied to each other and surrounding
buildings. The ropes keep from large vehicle to pas through bazaar street. Often
bamboo poles supports the roof. Strings of ropes allow light bulbs to hang. Each
stall have more than one light bulbs as they do not require to pay the bills. The
sellers site under the polythenes on a tool or wooden made bed like structures.
They surround themselves with circular strawmade and plastic baskets, full of
fruits and vegetable.

Source: author

As there are no designated place for dumping waste the vendors just keep
dumping the waste in front of their stall making walking very hard for the
passerby or customers. The waste is cleaned by Dhaka city corporations
authorities every morning after 7 am which again creates inconvinience and
obstacles for pedestrians.

On rainy season the plastic canopies can hardy keep the products dry and they
can not channel the rain water properly due to which the bazaar becomes heavily
wet, dirty and muddy.

The light bulbs keeps the bazaar always lit and vibrant at night and provides a
sense of safety to the neighborhood.

Typology:

Bazaar stall typology

Source: author

There are basically 6 types of vendors in the open part of the bazaar. Starting
from east side the fruit sellers sits right next to the old buildng. The ssellers who
sits next to the building sells Mostly apples,oranges, pemogranede, mango,
dates. The need t stack their product and need height. These stalls are dry.

Besde these stals other types of fruit sellers take the place. Dry veggies such as
onion, potator, wheat sellers occupy with large sacks of produce.
The structural features differs lightly depending on the type of food they sell.

Vegetable seller.

Source: author

A vegetables seller has to collect his product from karwaan bazaar in early
morning and anrrange his stall for the day. He uses mainly tukri or straw round
baskets to keep the veggies and keep the basket op top of bricks to gain height
from the ground. If he can affor he buys a wood bench like structure called
chouki.

He does not need to hang any thing beside the light bulbs. It is nticable that the
vendors keep lights turned on even during the day.
The chicken poulty seller however, needs different structure to keep his chicks.
He will need bamboo two vertical posts supporting horizintal post. Theh
horizontal posts will hold he net like fences on the baskets carrying the
chickesns. Chickens need good amount of natural light and air to be healthy and
so the nets are kept to allow light but keep the chickens insiede.

Poultry chicken seller.

Source: author
Betal leaf seller.

Source: author

The betal leaf seller need very high stool to sit and keep his leafs as they might
get be attacked by other insects. The seller needs to spray water on top th leafs
to keeps them fresh and have gallons of water infront of the stall. As a result the
place becomes wet and dirty again.

He also needs many shelves to keep his dirrent spices and flavor powders to
keep.
Tea Stall: at the edge of the bazaar tea stalls line up with people hanging ouT
Environment:

EDGE:

Source:author
Semi outdoor corridors are occupied by shops. There are no colonade shaded
area near the bazaar. The semi outdoor space is the stall between street indoor
market.

3.4.1.1 Formal market:

There are two seperate markets in townhall

1.townhall super market (ground floor and first floor}

2.Shaheed park masjid market

Typology:

Formal shops(shaded or permanently built)

1. Clothes
2. Wood furniture
3. Paintshop/repair shops
4. Stationary
5. Pharmecy
6. Stationary
7. Plastic accessories
8. Cosmetics
9. Shoe,bags,glasses
10. Electronics
11. Clock and watch
12. Newspaper
13. Toys
14. Tailor
15. Salon
16. Confectionary
17. Hotel and juice bar
18. Music and gameroom
19. Godown
 permanent/indoor market layout

East west longitudinal section

The interior spatial environment :

As the structure is failing the interior space of the ground floor is very risky and
declared restricted by the governemnt engineers. Hwoever, lack of negotiations
and substitute placement of shops are not discussed so shop owners do
business here despite the risks. The building’s slab has lost its plaster and the
reinforcement steel is showing to be rusty. No initiative to restore the buiding
have been taken reently since the government wishes to rebuild the market
anyway.

The building design was inspired by colonial style civicrchitecture with three
pediments at entry points and covered façade with minimal or no punches at all.
As a result, the inside is always dark and gloomy requiring lighting 24 hours. The
ground floor is not popular among outside customers and only known to adjacent
neighborhood residencts.
Access

Similar to other DCC market thr townhall supermarket on 1 st floor is accessd by

three stairs. However, the access to the stair is blocked by illegal vendors, cars,
shops etc. shops grow wherever the can even below the staircase.

The entry to groud floor is dirty, dark and crowded with clock shops which is
uninviting and unattractive.

Visibility:

As seen in the picture the supermarket is completely is blocked with wall and the
shops and inside can not be seen. Despite having a large number of shops
upstairs nobody takes the attempt
Edge:

Field edge surrounded with shops

Source: author

The edge of field and market is an example of how unplanned built structure can
make an open space non existant for the public. The pedestrian footpath is
completely blocked by vendors, street tailor, fabric display etc. the cloth shops
have occupied the footpath making it difficult to walk.
Informal vs formal market

The bazaar or open air market grows from need and demand with nothing extra.
Due to their open nature and street quaity bazaar has visibility, access and open
environment. Whereas, indoor market are dark and smelly, with cramped access
routes and absolutey not visible from outside which does not draw in customers.
Which is why, despite maintanence problems informal market much more
successful than indoor markets.

3.4.2 GOVERNEMNT OFFICES

1. DNCC WARD COUNCILOR

2. FEMALE COUNCILOR OFFCE
3. DR. M A WAJED MIA MEMORY LIBRARY
4. AWAMI LEAGUE OFFICE
5. HOUSING ESTATE OFFICE
6. LIBERATION WAR UNION COUNCIL
7. TOWNHALL SHOP PWNERS COMMITTEE/BONIK SHOMITEE

The site initially did not have DCC ward councilor office. In 2011 the 31 no ward
councilor office was established in here on the 1 st floor above the townhall
market. The office is mechanically ventilated with 15 owrkers including The
councilor and secretary’s office. The housing estate office ahs been added
recently on the same floor.
On the 2nd floor the awami league political party’s office is situated which
generate unsafe and insecure environment on the terrace. The awami league
offices were established scatteredly with multiple rooms built on different times
on top of the other. People do not go upstairs due to the illicit activities such as
drug addiction

On third floor a library and female councilor office is also being established. The
construction manager said that the work progresses very slowly as the govt keep
delaying and changing plans and material details.

On the terrace street children play in the afternoon however local residents do
not use orlet their children use the terrace although it is legally accessible to
everyone.

Different types of offices also function on the 1 st floor. The offices are mainly
lawyers, registry, holding companies, photo studio, dentist chambers.

The terrace is unused by the public which has great potential to be a plaza and
outdoor market extension. The terrace is covered at all side with wall as it was
built political party and they did not want people to see their activities.
3.4.3 Shaheed park jame Mosque:

Shaheed park mosque

Source: author

Shaheed park central jame mosque works as a landmark for townhall, people
know this mosque not by its name but by the staircase. The staircase one unique
character of this mosque is very successful at drawing public in to the mosque
and market. The stair not only work as circulation ofr the mosque but also as a
public space as in evening pious muslim gather here, sit on stairs, have food
from the food kiosks. During Friday people gather in large number for jummah
prayer and makes the place vibrant. Vendors with various religios products come
to sell from morning to evening.

The mosque is on the first floor and market is below the mosque. It is because
the market was built in 1988 before the mosque which is built in 2000. Recently
floor are being erected on top the mosques. From 2013 to 2017 2 floor have
been added to the mosque working as offices instead of more space for prayer.

3.4.4 Shaheed park field:

This 7400square feet field is surrounded with shops without DCC’s consent. The
shops keep the field invisile to the people and renders its use less by locals. The
field is occasionally used for islamic mahafeel or lecture by scholars. During
afrtenoon mostly the madrasa students play in this field
3.4.5 open and unbuilt space

The open space in front of the market is used in many ways. The unbuilt space at
the west and south side is used for meeting and lecture such as political
conference(shobha), islamic waaj mahafil and cultural functions, which tells us
that a large gathering space is absolutely necessary for townhall. This space
could be a open spaces, plaza, hall for townhall. It could be a potential town
square as the place already has the elements for town center for the
neighborhood.
Source: author

Source: author

The very little open spaces are occupied by vendors and fruit seller. People also
park their bikes and auto rickshaws in here. A large amount of open space is
used by rental cars and taxis.

The very little sitting space under the tree is used by people a lot reflecting how
much public space is needed here.
Chapter4

4 Problem analysis and design strategies:

4.1Problem analysis and summary:

Studying the existing situation three major problems have been identified and
possible solutions have been considered.

d. Underutilized open spaces:

The site has three open spaces which are all fenced and not visible from the
street. For various reasons these sites are not being used to their full potential
and the presence of open spaces can not be felt.

Design considerations included opening up theses sites and allowing public

access. By providing functions to these places the sitres have been activated and
utilized.

e. Scattered market access

As seen in the previous site surveys the markets and shops are very dark
and ill ventilated. The access to the market is dark, dirty and unattractive.
As a matter of fact, it can not attract quality customers specially female
customers.

a. Scattered market access

Allowing the informal bazaar vendors inside the site was top priority as
traditionally they are neglected and left to tend for themselves beside the
street. They have to make their own adjustments to protect themselves
from sun and rain. This is why, by bringing them inside the street is
 uninturrupted and free for public use at the same time the bazaar goers
will easily shop under shade and specified space.

4.2 interpretation and concept

With the existing programs and sctivites the site is already a neighborhood center
all it needs is public spaces to breathe and hold events.

Combining the three open space and likning with the site ,this place can hold
recreational events, political events, religiois lectures and government services
anytime thus becoming the neighborhood square the area truly needs.
Chapter 5

5 case studies
5.1 Rotterdam Market Hall

 Architects: MVRDV
 Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
 Project Year: 2014

© Daria Scagliola+Stijn Brakkee, source: archdaily.com

Rotterdam has a new icon: Markt hall Rotterdam. At a historical location at the
Binnenrotte, next to Blaak Station and the largest weekly open air fresh food and
hardware market in Rotterdam, the first covered market of the Netherlands was
realized. Markthall includes a huge market floor on the ground floor under an
arch of apartments. Its shape, its colourfull interior and the height turns Markt hall
into an unique spectacle. Unique is not only its shape and size, but especially the
way the different functions are combined. The combination of an apartment
building covering a fresh food market with food shops, restaurants, a
supermarket.
Markt hall was a success already before being realized: it is a new and fresh icon
which already has attracted large quantities of international press and visitors.
The centrally located building is rooted in the city’s history, located parallel to the
late medieval ‘Laurenskerk’ (Laurens church) and at the location of the former
dike along the river Rotte. This river was diverted at the end of the 19 th century in
favour of a train line viaduct leading to the south bank of the river Maas. In the
1990’s this trajectory was rebuilt as an underground tunnel and the current
oblong square emerged which offers room for the open air fresh food market
twice a week. The 1950’s buildings on either side of the old highline suddenly
faced the new square with their backsides and have been replaced ever since.

5.2 Santa catarina market:

 Architects: MVRDV
 Location: Barcelona, Spain
 Project Year: 2014
Therefore new buildings cover the existing ones. They mix up; they blend in
order to make the best qualities of that place appear. So it is logic to use terms
like conglomeration, hybrid, etc… Terms that tries to go beyond the black and
white dichotomy.

5.3 Tabriz bazar

Architects: Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism

Organisation of East Azerbaijan , Hassan Ghorayshi, architect

 Location: Tabriz, Iran

 Project Year: 1990-1996

The bazaar is 230 years old, and was demolished in earthquake in 1780. Iran’s
Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organisation (ICHTO) and the traders
decided to restore it in the mid-1990s. The master plan was developed through a
bottom up process.
Brick is used for the walls, arches, columns well as flooring. It is the symbol of
Tabriz bazar. It offers excellent thermal protection during winter and summer.
Conclusion
One may argue that in order to adapt with the rapid urbanization our traditional
bazar has to be modernized too. However, this process is complex needing vast
analysis on migration, employment, technology, transportation, space allotment
etc. Which is why the adaptation of informal markets have to be slow and careful
working on a single issue one at a time. Markets have always been a public
active function that is very hard to control. It tends to grow and spread at law
enforcement and control is weak. Even though the name of the site is Town hall
with study and local interviews, it has been found that the western concept of
Town hall which includes vast municipal, educational, administrational functions
would not work here if imposed forcefully.

In this particular site, preserving and layering the markets are a big challenge
and task if we want to bring the government and the local employers work
together. However, it can be possible with open communication between
government and local inhabitants and workers. Thus a vibrant neighborhood with
active open spaces and lively public market can truly be designed and
implemented.
Reference:

1. The Transformation Of A Main Street In Hellenistic Berrhoea Into THE souq/bazaar of

aleppo: (1) hellenistic paved way with colonnades and larg shops behind them, (2) the
shops occupy colonnades, (3) the paved way is occupied by shops and dwellings. source
: the spread of islam, michael rogers, elsevier publishings, oxford, 1976.
2. .N. Ardalan, L. Bakhtiar, “The Sense Of Unity; The Sufi Tradition In Persian Architecture”,
University Of Chicago Press, Chicago, USA, 1973.].
3. K. Karimi, “The Spatial Logic Of Organic Cities In Iran And The United Kingdom”, Space
Syntax 1st International Symposium, London, UK, Pp. 1-17, 1997, S. Ramezani, Sh.
Hamidi, “Privacy And Social Interaction In Traditional Towns To Contemporary Urban
Design In Iran”, American Journal Of Engineering And Applied Sciences, P. 502, 2010].
4. Urban Change In Iran, 1920-1941”, Iranian Studies, Taylor And Francis Ltd., On Behalf
Of International Society For Iranian Studies 26, No. 3/4, Pp. 251-275, Summer 1993]
Yello
5. “Cities: IV. Modern Urbanization And Modernization In Persia”, Encyclopaedia Iranica,
Vol. 5.6, Pp. 623-29, 1991.
6. [K. Pirnia, “Islamic Architecture of Iran”, Elm-o- Sanat Publications, Tehran, Iran, 1990.].
7. DIAGRAM OF THE ISLAMIC CITY, based on plan of Kandahar (1880).
8. THE TRANSFORMATION OF A MAIN STREET IN HELLENISTIC BERRHOEA INTO
THE SOUQ/BAZAAR OF ALEPPO: (1) Hellenistic paved way with colonnades and larg
shops behind them, (2) the shops occupy colonnades, (3) the paved way is occupied by
shops and dwellings.
Source : The Spread of Islam, Rogers 1976.
9. TAHERI,1980, URBAN ELEMENTS OF TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC CITIES).
10. A schematic model of Islamic city (Kheirabadi, 2000).
11. Kiani, 2008).
12. Sarraf,2010).
13. Isfahan School of urban design: a morphological perspective,2015).
14. Jayyusi et al., 2008
15. VIEW OF COVERED BAZAAR OF ISFAHAN, Iran. Source : Isfahan, Architectural
Review, May 1976.
16. Pre-planned urban expansions in Isfahan (source: Habibi, 2008).
17. PLAN OF BAZAAR OF ISFAHAN FROM THE FRIDAY MOSQUE TO THE MAIDAN,
Iran.
18. Source : Isfahan, Architectural Review, May 1976
19. [B. Khamachi, “My City Tabriz”, Nedaye Shams, Tabriz, Iran, Vol. 35, pp. 196-202, 2009.]
20. Hassan Radoine, Figure:8 access through the bazaar to the main road,
21. Source:Rehabilitation of Tabriz bazaar,2013
22. International Journal on “Technical and Physical Problems of Engineering” (IJTPE), Iss.
9, Vol. 3, No. 4, Dec. 2011
23. assari et all,2011
24. : Ebrahimi, Rahimian, Loron, IMPACTS OF URBAN PASSAGES ON FORMATION OF
IRANIAN BAZAARS:Case Study of the Historic Bazaar of Tabriz,2013).
25. Shokuie, 2004
26. Greek city Bill,1998
27. The Urban Pattern: City Planning and Design Arthur B. Gallion,1950