Generating breathing space in an urban pocket, Chittagong, Bangladesh: An urban infill project

Design Concept:

The urban fabric of Bangladeshi cities, particularly in areas like Chittagong, is characterized by extreme density and limited open space, leaving little room for community recreation. This scarcity disproportionately affects children, who lack safe and accessible areas for play and social interaction. However, within these congested cityscapes exist underutilized or "negative" spaces—residual plots often ignored in urban planning. This study explores the potential of such a space in the Bundle Road area of Chittagong. Through comprehensive site surveys and contextual analysis, the project identified a neglected urban void with the potential to serve as a recreational and breathing space for the local community. The architects also introduced geometric shapes in the design for educational purposes for the children. The proposed intervention transforms the space into an inclusive, activity-oriented environment that caters to children, the elderly, and the broader community. By reimagining a previously unusable space, the project demonstrates how small-scale, site-specific interventions can significantly enhance urban livability. It provides a replicable model for addressing spatial shortages in dense cities by integrating community needs into design solutions. This approach supports sustainable urban development while fostering social cohesion and well-being.

Functions and amenities:
The recreational zone for the elders and the playing spaces for children are combined, creating a recreational platform.

1) Seating and gossiping spaces for the elderly and children
2) Rope and rock climbing
3) Safety cushion
4) Green wall
5) Net for ensuring both safety and climbing
6) Rainbow stairs and slides

Merits:
1) Sitting and resting space for people of all ages
2) Kids can learn about primary shapes while roaming in the area, from geometrical shapes painted on the raised platform.
3) Children will develop a sense of identifying different colours as the space is designed with colorful components.
4) Light for nighttime security and ensuring a good social environment
5) Green wall with a net for hiding surrounding structures and noise, engaging urban connectivity by screening surrounding residences and ensuring good air quality.

Location of the site:
Nazu Mia Lane, Bundle Road, beside Chittagong Central Jail, Ward No. 34, Kotwali Thana, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Total population in the area: 29,549
Male: 16115 (55 percent)
Female: 13434 (45 percent)
Male (under 18 years of age): 4261 (14 percent)
Female (under 18 years of age): 2009 (7 percent)
Male (18 years ): 11854 (40 percent)
Female (18 years ): 11425 (39 percent)