DHAKA – Participatory Urban Design

Regeneration of Shahjahanpur Jheel

Year

2021-2022

Status

Completed

Location

Dhaka | Bangladesh

Client

World Bank

Collaboration

Daffodil International University


As part of the Participatory Urban Design Consultancy for World Bank, superwien was involved with the Dhaka City Neighborhood Upgrading Project in Bangladesh. The project aims to improve public spaces in the administrative area of the Dhaka South City Corporation.

The site that was selected for superwien’s engagement was a small lake located in a densely populated neighborhood: Shahjahanpur Jheel. The place is currently in a bad condition with heavily polluted water, scarce public space and a lack of urban infrastructure. In order to understand the challenges and potentials of the space, superwien conducted a participatory design process that involved diverse community groups. Workshops were conducted with children, women, street vendors, and community representatives. In an on-site placemaking activity, urban furniture was built for and with the local population.

Moreover, five local universities participated in the Urban Design Lab that was held online due to COVID restrictions. Lectures and training sessions on integrated urban design and participatory planning provided for professional exchange. In a 3-day design competition, students developed many interesting new ideas for Shahjahanpur Jheel.

Superwien’s conceptual design is based on spatial analysis and the manifold inputs from community participation and academic exchange. It aims to establish a green and healthy environment around the water body that offers recreational space for all community groups. Diverse design elements enable different uses. Human-scale mobility is prioritized and new walkable connections are established. Open visual axes and adequate lighting enhance the sense of safety for all. Last but not least, a management concept was elaborated to ensure proper maintenance in the long run.

 

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Im Rahmen der Participatory Urban Design Consultancy für die Weltbank war superwien an dem Dhaka City Neighborhood Upgrading Project in Bangladesch beteiligt. Ziel des Projekts ist die Verbesserung des öffentlichen Raums im Verwaltungsbereich der Dhaka South City Corporation.

Der Ort, der für die Arbeit von superwien ausgewählt wurde, ist ein kleines Gewässer in einem dicht besiedelten Viertel: Shahjahanpur Jheel. Der See befindet sich derzeit in einem schlechten Zustand mit stark verschmutztem Wasser, wenig öffentlichem Raum und einem mangelhafter städtischer Infrastruktur. Um die Herausforderungen und Potenziale des Ortes zu verstehen, führte superwien einen partizipativen Gestaltungsprozess durch, an dem verschiedene Bevölkerungsgruppen beteiligt waren. Es wurden Workshops mit Kindern, Frauen, Straßenhändlern und Vertretern der lokalen Community durchgeführt. In einer Placemaking Aktion vor Ort wurden Stadtmöbel für und mit der lokalen Bevölkerung gebaut.

Fünf örtliche Universitäten nahmen außerdem an dem Urban Design Lab teil, das aufgrund der COVID-Beschränkungen online abgehalten wurde. Vorlesungen und Trainings zu integriertem Städtebau und partizipativer Planung sorgten für fachlichen Austausch. In einem dreitägigen Gestaltungswettbewerb entwickelten Studierende viele interessante neue Ideen für den Shahjahanpur Jheel.

Das Konzeptdesign von superwien basiert auf einer räumlichen Analyse und den vielfältigen Anregungen aus der Bürgerbeteiligung und dem akademischen Austausch. Es zielt darauf ab, einen attraktive, grüne öffentlichen Raum um das Gewässer zu schaffen, der Erholung für alle Bevölkerungsgruppen bietet. Vielfältige Gestaltungselemente ermöglichen unterschiedliche Nutzungen. Mobilität im menschlichem Maßstab hat Vorrang, und es werden neue, fußläufige Verbindungen geschaffen. Offene Sichtachsen und eine angemessene Beleuchtung erhöhen das Sicherheitsgefühl für alle. Nicht zuletzt wurde ein Managementkonzept erarbeitet, um langfristig eine ordnungsgemäße Instandhaltung zu gewährleisten.


The Project is Part of the “Participatory Urban Design” project to develop innovative designs for urban public spaces in three different cities: Dhaka (Bangladesh), Maputo (Mozambique), and Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic). 


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he project goal was to upgrade public spaces in 20 neighborhood and create an active mobility network interconnecting them. It focused on the urban transformation of the informal settlements spread around Cidade Cimento, working on the rehabilitation of one open public space per neighborhood.

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