Sylhet's central business district, Bandar Bazaar, has evolved in an uncontrolled and unplanned way, becoming extremely congested. Because of rapid urbanization and many socioeconomic trends, this area has spread horizontally without any prior planning or control. Because it is a CBD, the region is of tremendous public importance. Some key public administrative buildings are located near the city super market. The neighborhood is a mixed-use region within an urban settlement with many layers of commercial areas. The commercial growth can be traced back to the 1950s. Due to a lack of adequate planning and management, the area has failed to attract visitors, resulting in economic loss and the waste of potential urban space.

The client, Sylhet City Corporation (SCC), has prepared a development proposal for a site of around 17.8 acres of land to be developed as a commercial and recreational center, entitled Bangabandhu Complex (BC). The site includes Hasan Market, the municipal market, Laldighi Hawkers market, Kudratullah market, the city supermarket and the Sylhet Govt. Pilot High School.

This project aims to increase cultural, social spaces and greenery. The elevated plaza is for the city and the citizens, it connects the old memory of Hasan market to the riverside. In this particular location, sustaining and stacking markets is a significant problem and task, we need to bring the government and local employers together. The government, locals, and employees can all communicate openly to make this achievable. Thus, it is possible to plan and implement a lively community with busy open areas and a bustling public market.

2023

I conducted thorough studies and visited the site to understand more.

Based on the study and analysis the primary design considerations for the project were:
-Add cultural amenities as the neighborhood lacks such places
-Connect the riverside to the city
-Inject more greenery to the neighborhood
-Improving accessibility & walkability
-Increasing legibility
-Creating socializing spaces where the people of the neighborhood can interact with each other
-Designing courtyard bazaars
-Keeping the memory of Hasan Market
-Making the riverside more enjoyable

The market functions were kept on the ground floor to have easy access; the plaza connects the site with the city and the river bank. Cultural blocks are connected to the plaza and people can enjoy the city view from it.

Sadia Ishtiaque. It was a solo project