Morphological Analysis of An Old Commercial District : Khatungonj, Chittagong, Bangladesh

MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF AN OLD COMMERCIAL AREA: KHATUNGONJ, CHITTAGONG, BANGLADESH

Presented By: Sanjida Hasan Presented To: Dr. Sami Sabri

Dr. Sahar Imam

Dr. Aliaa Al Sadaty

HISTORY OF URBAN MORPHOLOGY

TABLE OF CONTENTS • Site Introduction

• Site Location • Historical Timeline • Before & After Images

• Growth Pattern • Site Surrounding • Detailed Area Analysis

• Physical Aspects • Morphological Change

• Morphological change in Block pattern • Change in Growth • Change in Land use

• Non-Physical Aspects • Activities & Festivities • Findings from Analysis • SWOT Analysis

• Guidelines

SITE INTRODUCTION Khatungonj is the 1st growth center and an old wholesale market district in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Chittagong is a major port since 9th Century and was used as a maritime silk route.

Site Location :

Fig : MACRO SCALE Map of Bangladesh Chittagong

Fig : MESO SCALE

Khatungonj District : Major Accesses Local Access Node : Laal Dighi Node Regional Access Node : Shah Amanat Node Waterways Access : Karnaphuli River > Fishery Ghat > Khatungonj

Fig : MICRO SCALE

Khatungonj District Area: 79 Acres

Selected Site Area: 19Acres 1 Acre = 4046 sq.m / 43,560 sft Site Boundary : Chaktai Canal on East, Channel of Chaktai Canal on South Korbaniganj Road on North

1666 : Mughal Nawabs of Bengal (Islamic Architecture)

Historical Timeline:

Shaista Khan claimed Bengal from Arakans and constructed a lot of Mughal (Islamic) influenced Mosques & buildings. Decorated screen, domes, floral (Lily, rose) & geometric motifs, Marbles

1863 : Chittagong Municipality, Pakistan

21st Century

1947 liberated from British rule.

Moon, Star & Flag

Modern ,10 storied Glassed

9th Century BC

Arabs and others using this port as Maritime Silk Route

1971 : Liberation

1760 : British Colonial (Indo-Saracenic)

1338 : Sultanate Period

Sultan Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah started the era.

Aulia Badr Shah (R) came to Chittagong from Iran to preach Islam & his followers built his Mazar in Khatungonj

British East India Company ruled Bengal for 100 years.

They adapted colonial architecture with traditional Bengal architecture with some Mughal Features.

Symmetry, Classical arch. Feats specially Corinthian columns colonnade porch etc.

Socialist Architecture & 6 storied

1338

2018

Before & After Images: On left top to bottom (a-c) Sultanate Period Fig: (a) Badr Aulia (R) Mazar – 1338 • Pioneer of Islam in Chittagong, thus in Bengal, who arrived from Iran.

• People from all religion visits his Mazar specially on Thursday.

a 1978

2022

1st Tower of Chittagong.

It is believed that the tomb was built at the bank of Karnaphuli (Chaktai Canal). It had 2 accesses in east (Street front) & west(Canal-front).

Now, the west gate is closed and A new gate is made on East in front of the old gate.

Post-Colonial Period (British) Fig: (b) Shop of Pitambar Shah “Whatever cannot be found anywhere, can be found in the shop of Pitambar Shah” is the local saying for this tiny old shop.

The shop owner came here for business with variety of dried herbs & medicinal plants (specially Ayuvedic & Yunani) from Bihar, India. Now, the 4th Generation runs the business. Goods for veneration, traditional food, decoration items, herbal medicinal items, roots, dried fruits & spices etc. can be found here.

b 1962

Fig: (c) A commercial Building in Khatungonj This is the picture of a Typical Commercial building in the wholesale market of Khatungonj which is mostly unchanged in Built form and function both. c

2018

Chaktai Canal as trade and transport route Fig: (a) The pictures of Artist Shohag Parvez shows the earlier width of Chaktai Canal .

The width used to range from 120’ (at mouth) to 90’ At Present, 60’(at mouth) to 30’.

Fig: (b) The image shows large trading ships docked at Karnaphuli river mouth, from there smaller boats would carry the goods in khatungonj.

Fig: (c) shows Canalfront entrance for goods loading-unloading.

Apart from these, the canal is one of the major Drainage Canal for Chittagong.

Fig : (a)

Fig (b) - top,

Fig: (c) - Bottom

GROWTH PATTERN The Growth of Chittagong started from Khatungonj through Chaktai Canal as major waterways transport route. Later the city expanded towards North-west. The ORGANIC growth started from 1948 haphazardly due to the lack of planning laws, ownership and plot division.

Fig : Urban Growth pattern of Chittagong

Fig : Direction of Growth (N-W)

Fig : Change of Built up area (1989-2014)

SITE SURROUNDING

Streets & Landmarks

Sultanate Period Top to bottom (a-b) British Colonial Fig: (a) Anderkilla (Inner fort) Jame Masjid - Listed Fig: (b) Court Building - Listed

Streets & Nodes Khatungonj Road is an ACCESS ROAD. 18’ to 27’ at the end Node Narrow Alley widths in warehouse areas range from 6’-8’ Heavy Vehicles run in the street all day & night

DETAILED AREA

Socio-economic Analysis: Popular Mazars are located here and influenced the growth

Age Group 2% 2% 6% 6%

25-55 year’s men use the area most for job & business

60% in total

0-4yrs

10-14 yrs

8%

15-19yrs 20-24yrs

30%

9%

Main Activity : Business

25-29yrs 30-49yrs

14% Ownership : 80% Rented

5-9yrs

8%

15%

50-59yrs 60-64yrs 65+

Land use & Building Age Map:

Fig : Land Use Plan, CDA map correct by Author

Major Land use: Mixed Use – 41%, Commercial – 30% Impact of urban sprawl 5% Warehouse took up the area.

Fig : Building Age Plan, CDA map correct by Author

Major Growth: 1st phase of Growth : Colonial Period.

2nd phase of Growth : After Liberation in 1971

Building condition & Type Map:

Fig : Structure Condition, CDA map correct by Author

Building Condition: Critical– 39%, Bad – 23% The site has prospect of opening up spaces by demolishing critical conditioned buildings.

Fig : Building Age Plan, CDA map correct by Author

Structure Type: 88% Permanent structure of Brick & Concrete exist on site.

Floor No. & Vegetation Map:

Fig : Structure Condition, CDA map correct by Author

Building Height: 38% 1-storied shops & warehouses

Fig : Building Age Plan, CDA map correct by Author

Open Space: Only 7% Vegetation with 13% Water surface Risks of flood & water logging

Streets & Landmarks:

a

b

c

On left top to bottom (a-c) Sultanate Period Fig: (a) Badr Aulia (R)Mazar - Listed Mughal Period Fig: (b) Shah Amanat (R)Mazar British Colonial Fig: (c) Pitamber Shah shop

Streets & Landmarks: a

b

d c On left top to bottom (a-d) British Colonial Fig: (a) Laal Dighi Fig: (d) Post Office

c

Pakistan Period Fig: (b) Asadganj Jame Masjid Post-Liberation Fig: (c) Bakshir Haat Kacha Bazar

Streetscape : Street width is narrowest (18’) at entry node.

Node 1 – Bakshir Haat

Street width is widest (27’) near the exit.

Silhoutte: Sec-1: mostly flat 1F old shops Sec 2: Mid-High (3-10F) Wholesale & new MU. Sec 3: low-very high 1F, 6-10F new MU Sec 4: almost flat 1F (Warehouse)

Significant Buildings & Condition:

1

1

2

4

3

5

6

6

6

7

8

Facade Analysis from different time period:

MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGE

Morphological Change in Block pattern

500’

0’

Morphological Change: Growth throughout the years Sultanate Period:

Beginning of Growth

Colonial Period:

Major growth of the area happened

Post-liberation 1971:

The area grew steadily each decade (about 10%)

2010-Present days:

Canalfront is abducted at Alarming rate

LEGEND Before 1989 1990-1999 2000-2010 2014-present

LEGEND Before 1989

LEGEND

LEGEND

Before 1989

Before 1989

1990-1999

1990-1999 2000-2010

Morphological Change: Change in Landuse Colonial period-Post Liberation:

Majorly Wholesale shops, warehouses with few Mixed-use (Shop Houses)

2000-present days

Rise of Mixed-use (Res.-Com). Bank HQs replacing Wholesale shops

2010-present days

Canal-fronts filled with new illegal Warehouses

ACTIVITIES ANALYSIS

Activities:

Everyday Wholesale Market Activities: Significant Buildings:

Activities around the Water bodies & warehouses :

FINDINGS OF ANALYSIS

Findings of Analysis : Active Area with Architectural Historical importance

Problem of TRAFFIC & WATER LOGGING deteriorating the wholesale market

URBAN SPRAWL, new growth is blocking access & view of Canal

New Mixed-use functions are built as an impact of Urbanization, destroying the essence of the area

Canal restoration is crucial for the future of the area and the whole City

SWOT ANALYSIS

GUIDELINES

Guidelines for Regeneration For the Khatungonj District, the mix of MughalColonial-Modern Architecture style of Façade is very interesting. Therefore, this should be prioritized while regeneration.

1. Maintenance of the Old buildings according to their condition.

2. Following the Historical Ground floor Height 9’-10’ (Floor to floor) and typical floor height 10’.

3. Street front elevation should have Verandas that act as pedestrian Roof with Islamic Style. (Railing Height- 2.5’) 4. Mashrabiya (Perforated Screening) in Veranda on upper portion (Max. 2.5’ below ceiling).

Fig 1 (top): Guideline for Canal front with community engagement & Mixed-use function Fig 2 (bottom) : Guideline for Façade development

5. Ornamentation Style : Islamic Geometric Patterns 6. Symmetric Colonnade Front Porch 7. Wooden Door and window Shutter aligning with Old buildings

4 3,5 4 2

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