The ancient city Dhaka which is located on the left bank of the river ‘Buriganga’ has some significant history of 400 years. It has passed through many vicissitudes. It got priority as trade centre as well as military post in Mughal period and as capital city after the war of Independence. The pre-Mughal Dhaka had 52 bazars and 53 lanes. It was known for its industrial and commercial activity. During Mughal period among these bazars, Chawk Bazar became the centre of commercial sector and social interaction. The name of the bazar was ‘Badshahi bazar’ at that time which was mainly a place for retail business. But gradually the bazar was occupied by the wholesale business. This transformation has completed by the year 1930. At present, it is one of the major wholesale business areas. Maximum development of Chawk Bazar took place during the Mughal period. But now-a-days it has started to lose its charm and traditional glory for increasing density and congestion.
Chawk Bazar area though signifies a lot, but the existing situation can never support the future growth unless the old city is immediately brought under a redevelopment scheme.
Image of Chawk Bazar an Analysis from Physical and Socio Economic Perspectives
1. Image of Chawk Bazar: An Analysis from
Physical and Socio-Economic Perspectives
Prepared by : Group 02
Afia Sultana Shanta (06 15 002)
Swarna Bintay Kadir (06 15 017)
Shahadat Hossain Shakil (06 15 020)
Mohammed Hamidul Hasan Nabin (06 15 021)
2. Study area profile
Dhaka
64 No. ward
Chawkbazar
-South-west part of 64 No. ward
-Surrounded by Shahi Mosque road
and Chawk Circular road.
- Total area 89 katha
-Total No. of plots 395
Selected plots
-Opposite to Shahi Mosque
- No. of plots 9
-Average plot size 288 sq. ft.
3. Introduction
Chawk Bazar is the –
•Evidence of our glorious past.
•Ancient commercial centre.
•Area facing problem for congestion.
Objectives
•To explore the image of Chawk Bazar over the ages.
•To study existing land use pattern in around Chawk
Bazar.
•To identify the problems and prospects of Chawk
Bazar from planning perspectives.
4. Methodology
Site Selection
Formulation of objectives
Collection of base map
Data Collection
Primary Data
Reconnaissance survey
Preparation of check list, questionnaire
Secondary Data
FGD Questionnaire Literature review Base map analysis
Data analysis
Preparation of the report
5. Image of Chawk Bazar
Major Events
•Formation of Chawk Bazar in 1602.
•‘Badshahi Bazar’ was established by Murshid Kuli
Khan in 1702.
• In 1832 the boundary of the Chawk was
demarcated by a 4 feet wall.
• Completely demolished by fire in 1950, 1971
and 1974.
Structural change
• During Mughal period structures were kutcha.
• In British period foundation made of soil.
• Wooden structure in Pakistan period.
• Concrete and brick was introduced after
liberation.
Fig : Sketch of Chawk(1809) by Dowly
Fig : Chawk Bazar in 1890 and 1904
6. Image of Chawk Bazar(cont...)
Land use
• Act as administrative center in Mughal period.
• Transformed into prominent market place in the
period of East India Company and British.
•During pre and post liberation highly commercial
and administrative use.
Transportation
•Both water based transportation and kutcha road in
period of Mughal and East India Company.
•Brick built roads in British period.
•Expansion of roads using concrete in Pakistan
period.
•Road capacity decreases for unplanned growth in
the post liberation period. Fig 4: Islampur Road (1905)
Fig : Highly commercial use of Chawk
7. Image of Chawk Bazar(cont...)
Business pattern
• Market of high merchandise during Mughal era.
• Transformation into a wholesale market from
retail business during East India Company.
• Introduction of foreign goods in the pre and post
liberation period.
Fig : Wholesale business
Socio cultural activity
• Introduction of ‘Iftary Bazar’ in the Mughal
period.
• Celebration of ‘Fateha Eiazdaham’, ‘Tazia
Michil’ and ‘Eid rally’ during British ruling.
•‘Kite festival’, ‘Kashida song’, ‘Stick
fight’, ‘Pickle festival’ were started in Pakistan
period which still continues. Fig : Iftary Bazar at Chawk
8. Land Use Analysis
Construction
Type/
Materials
Number Percentage
Semi Pucca 8 2.0%
Pucca 384 97.2%
Under
Construction
3 0.8%
Total 395 100%
Present Plot wise distribution
Total
Area of
Plots(Kat
ha)
Average
Plot size
(Katha/Pl
ot)
No of
Main
road
side
Plot
Total
area of
main
road
(Katha)
Total
area of
Lanes
(Katha)
69.62 0.181 59 59 19.38
According Construction Materials
Area of Plots , Roads and Lanes
Source: DCC Base Map of Ward No. 64
73
170
86
27 22
6
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
1 2 3 4 5 6
Distribution according to no. of floor
No.
of
buildings
No. of floors
9. Land Use Analysis(cont…)
HoldingNo Name Storey Color Plot Size
(s.ft)
Establishment
Year
Consturction
Metarial
Land use and
Criteria
340 Alauddin Sweets
Ltd.
4 Ash / Gray 320 1982 Brick, Concrete,
Tin Shedding
Commercial,
Wholesale
341 M/s Raja Traders 6 No Color 499 2008 Brick, Concrete Commercial,
Wholesale
341/A Muhammodia
Ator & Co.
5 No Color 321 1980 Brick, Concrete Commercial,
Wholesale
342 Famous Imitation 5 No Color
682
1985 Brick, Concrete Commercial,
Wholesale and
Retail
Farooq & Brothers 5 No Color 1985 Brick, Concrete Commercial,
Wholesale
351 Ator House & Co. 2 No Color 64 1972 Brick, Concrete Commercial,
Wholesale
352/A M/s Amena Store 2 White 137 1975 Brick, Concrete Commercial,
Wholesale
353 Capital Cap House 1 No Color 347 1986 Brick, Concrete Commercial,
Wholesale and
Retail
354 Ibrahim & Sons 2 No Color 104 1975 Brick, Concrete Commercial,
Wholesale
385/2 Abdul Halim
Masion
3 Blue 114 1972 Brick, Concrete Commercial,
Wholesale
Land are used commercially for wholesale and retail business.
Average Plot Size = 288 sq. ft.
All the buildings were established after liberation war.
Mainly brick and concrete are used as construction material.
Source: Check List and DCC Base Map of Ward No: 64
10. Land Use Analysis(cont…)
Hold.
No.
Existing floor wise use Time Frame
G.F. 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 1947-1971 1971-1990
340 Office Storage Storage Storage Open
Space, Wholesale
4 storey building
341 Show room Office Storage Storage Storage Storage Open Space,
Wholesale
1 Storey building
341/1 Show room Office Storage Storage Storage Tin shed
building, Wholesale
and retail.
5 storey building
342 Show room Office Storage Storage Storage Open Space, Retail 2 storey building
351 Show room Office Tin shed
building, Wholesale
2 storey building
352/A Show room Storage Tin shed
building, wholesale
and retail.
2 storey building
353 Show room Open
Space, wholesale and
retail
1 storey building
354 Show room Storage Open
Space, Wholesale
2 storey building
385/2 Show room Whole- -
sale office
Storage Open Space,
Wholesale
3 storey building
9 Plots of Chawk Bazar have surveyed.
Each plot is used for commercial purposes.
Due to the increase in business activities the buildings were expanded gradually after liberation .
Source: Check List and DCC Base Map of Ward No: 64
11. Major Problems
Over population
•High density in the working hour.
•High job and business opportunity.
Traffic congestion
•Road capacity is low
•Illegal parking and vendors.
•No specific place for pedestrian.
Environmental pollution
•Noise and chaos.
•Open drain creating odor.
•Improper waste management.
Fig : Open drain
Fig :Over population
Fig : Traffic congestion
12. Recommendation
Long term project:
•Shifting of the ‘Central jail’.
•Preservation of historic buildings.
•Preventing environmental pollution.
•Rearranging the cable distribution system
13. Recommendation (cont….)
Short term project:
•Controlled traffic circulation.
•Restriction of traffic flow.
•No new development for business purpose.
•Management and maintenance of drainage
and waste
14. SWOT Analysis
I
N
T
E
R
N
A
L
E
X
T
E
R
N
A
L
Strength:
Historic and authentic value.
Strong community bondage.
Opportunity:
Potentiality for business.
Large job market for day
laborers
A prominent source of revenue.
Weakness:
Alarming population density.
Traffic congestion.
Vulnerable building structure.
Cable congestion
Threat:
The width of the road cannot be
increased.
Possibility of massive loss
during fire hazard.
Risk of earthquake.