Project Name: Countering Toxicity:  Imagining Future Development For A Post-Industrial Hazaribagh, Dhaka.
Student’s Name: Arpita Pal Tripti

Project Year: 2025
Studio Mentors: Ar. Muhtadin Iqbal, Ar. Dr. Abu Sayeed M. Ahmed,
Project Supervisors: Afrida Afroz Rahman, Taorem Rahul Singha
Head of the Department: Dr. Md. Nawrose Fatemi
University: University of Asia Pacific

Arpita Pal Tripti

Overview of Hazaribagh: History, Industry, and Transformation
Hazaribagh is a densely populated neighborhood and thana in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh, historically known as the center of the country’s leather industry. From 1945, the area contained more than 90 percent of Bangladesh’s tanneries. Although most of them were officially moved to Hemayatpur in Savar in 2017 to reduce environmental damage, Hazaribagh continues to function as a busy commercial area with leather warehouses and small-scale manufacturing. Hazaribagh is heavily crowded and mostly low-income group of workers living in dense and poorly maintained conditions.

Issues in Hazaribagh

The neighborhood is well known for serious environmental and health problems caused by years of untreated industrial waste, especially chromium, being released into the surrounding land and the Buriganga River.

Hazaribagh in a single frame, 2. Health Hazards

Government’s Decision Regarding this Site

In this present time, RAJUK proposes a Masterplan under ‘Urban Regeneration’ with 13 mandatory rules
for block-based mixed-use development. RAJUK permits 2groups. The group 2 site area is 3.5 acre. In the site, oil and water contamination level are in less contaminated than other in the zone.

Since the relocation of the tanneries in 2017, many former industrial sites have been reused as warehouses, art studios, and other facilities, while plans for residential and commercial redevelopment are gradually taking shape. Urban regeneration is strongly needed on this site, but the environmental conditions make development challenging.

Level of Contamination from GIS Map, Proposed Masterplan from RAJUK, RAJUK permits 2 groups of multiple site owners

Possible Options:

Five types of development options were created considering the environmental issues and urban development, and the option-5 is selected for further development of the project.

Site Surroundings

 Possible options (1& 2)

Possible options (3& 4)

Possible options (5)

Conceptual Decisions:

The word, ‘Hazar’ means ‘Thousand’ and ‘Bagh’ means ‘Garden’. That means, “Thousands of Gardens”. The Mughal period’s name demands a garden. And also the contaminated site already demands
phytoremediation process- that can be included as a part of this architectural development.

Conceptual Decisions

3 Parts of the project

If the block development looks as perimeter block development with a untouched soil part, people can be aware from the contaminatedarea. After the period of decontamination, the garden will become an ideal garden for internal and external communities.

And also bringing back the fabric of shop-road-people connections like old town fabric.

Talking characters

 Massing decision

Phytoremediation

Part X: Phytoremediation
Bringing some native plants into the list those can be decontaminated soil over time. Black Siris, tamarind tree, golden shower tree, sunflower etc.native plants are common and easily available in
our country.

Part Y: Residential
Total Buildable area: 58000sqm
Residential Part: 30000sqm

Standard Unit:                                 Affordable Unit:
800sft x 40                                       400sft x 40
1200sft x 160                                   600sft x 40
1600sft x 20  
Total Unit = 300

Part Z: Commercial
Commercial TBA,   Phase 1: 5000sqm,  Phase 2: 23000sqm

Residential & Commercial

Not following Dhaka’s dense urban growth model; a lower-density of residence approach as an alternative - where green spaces, public spaces, can restore both land and life. Phase-2 development will begin after 20 years, once the phytoremediation process is complete.

Sectional diagram

Sectional Decisions:

Phase-1 developments are temporary and used for shorter periods, which lowers exposure to hazardous air. Basement programs also keep distance from the soil. Phase 2, however, expands into full-floor occupancy.

Residential part is fully completed at phase-1. Maintaining above 20m distance from the contaminated soil, it’s safer for all.

 Basement plan

Ground floor plan

Residential floor plan

Section AA

Section BB

Roof-top activities

Jury Comments:
It is appreciable that the designer took the challenges of that area and the same time tried to design a living condition. Elevating the ground, creating a contemporary living condition there, growing commercial belt after decontamination and keeping the plants to convert a large scaled garden for community- these decisions are wise. The student tried to understand multi types of contents through this project.

Sectional transformation of Southern part (phase 1)

Sectional transformation of Southern part (phase 2)

Sectional transformation of Eastern part (phase 1)

Sectional transformation of Eastern part (phase 2)

Entrance of the garden (phase 1)

Entrance of the garden (phase 2)

 Exhibition gallery (phase 1)

Exhibition gallery (phase 2)