A.M.M.H. Mridha and Hafizur Rahaman
Urban Revitalization : A Case Study for Khulna CBD
A.M.M.H. Mridha is Associate Professor, Architecture Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna. Bangladesh;
Hafizur Rahaman is Assistant Professor, Architecture Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna. Bangladesh.

INTRODUCTION

Cities are extremely complex mechanisms, generated by many diverse factors. Looked at one way, they are the outcome of economic and fiscal policies; from another point of view, they are the direct expression of the socio-political forces at work in society. Then again they are material entities existing, like other pieces of hardware, in a physical world.

In majority of the cases traditional cities of the world are characterized by organic growth. Khulna, the third largest and one of the ancient cities of Bangladesh up hold the salient features of organic development as traditional city. But unlike the other cities of the world Khulna failed to adopt a process of transformation of its traditional urban structures into a dynamic shape to cope with the urge of the modern day functionality.

The city area under K.C.C. (Khulna City Corporation) covers about 45.65 sq. km. of land stretching from Badamtala beside Jessore road on the bank of river Bhairab on the north. Dakbanglow and its adjacent areas are the main business center of the city. This CBD (central business district) is sited on the river Bhairab, which is a cluster of activities, and characterized by dilapidated historic buildings, congested circulation system, unplanned urban spaces and indiscriminant utilization of riverfront. The present state of development of the area is associated with the massive congestion of traffic both vehicular and pedestrian generated by different activities.

The preceding study intends to identify the present urban issues that should be considered for revitalizing this city center. This study also provides guidelines to redevelop the physical and structural statues of the CBD.

HISTORY :
The Evolution of the City

The land around the present Khulna was very gentle and flat even centuries ago. There were trees and gardens around that open up the possibilities for hunting and tourism. Moreover fertile surroundings had produced ample rice, jute and wood. Due to good communication Khulna gradually turned into a market place.

With the seat of administration and market, Khulna was able to attract people from surrounding areas particularly from north with tobacco and sugarcane to be traded here and to be shipped to Calcutta. With all its prosperity during the British period, Khulna was declared a municipal town in 1884. Calcutta-Jessore railway was extended to Khulna in 1885 and Khulna railway station was setup in 1904, which was a major impetus for the growth of Khulna.

Between 1884 and 1947, Khulna municipal town had a long journey with little prospect. This can be evident in 1947 when India was partitioned; Khulna had a residential population of only 10,000 to 12,000. However the scenario changed immediately following the partition. In 1947, a large number of Muslims from India had migrated to the then East Pakistan and many of them settled in Khulna. The impact of such migration was revealed in 1951 census, when Khulna's population rose to about 42,000, nearly four times than it had just 5 years ago. Fishing and navigational facilities along the Bhairab and Rupsha rivers were also prime factors contributing to the growth of the town. During late 1950s and early 1960s Khulna became an important center for industrial development. The city gained further momentum with the establishment of 2nd seaport of the country at Chalna, just about 20 miles south of Khulna town. Many new industries were setup at Khulna and commercial activities increased many folds. Soon the city became the center point of jute industries and jute trade in Bangladesh.

Following a commercial riot in Calcutta in 1965, many Muslim immigrants from India settled in Khulna to try their lucks. Apart from migrants from India, it also absorbed huge rural migrants from adjoining districts. These people came mainly in search of jobs. The impressive industrial growth of Khulna during 1960s was a favorable condition for absorbing such huge population.

THE STUDY AREA :

At the advent of the urbanization in Bangladesh Khulna was the pioneer of the epoch making phenomenon. Among the ancient cities of Bangladesh, which carry there past glorious and remarkable heritage, Khulna is one placed on top. Khulna has a pattern of small cluster of settlement and its own character as river front development. During colonial period, specially, in the later pert of the 17th c. AD Khulna was given the attention to be developed as the business capital of this part of Bengal. The activities were first concentrated at the Bara-Bazar (The study area). In 1884 with an area of 4.86 sq. Km. and population 6000 Khulna municipality started its own way. Just after 100 years later the city become the third City Corporation of the country with an area of 45.65 sq. Km. And population is 1.2 million.

These increasing interests gave boost to the economic performance of the city and given it the image of the business capital of the southern part of Bangladesh. Bara-Bazar area became the single most important trade center due to the highest level of commercial facility (rail- road-river) the center over reached to influence in national economy. And the city spread out along the river Rupsha /vairab. The expansion of the city develops the CBD, centering the Dakbanglow along the lower Jessore Road. Although this CBD required a further space for expansion over years for its hygienic growth but due to physical barrier all around are Administrative zone, residential activities, industrial activities other factor) restricted the chaotic overlapping of the area and encroachment etc. are accumulated.

Site Map

Fig:01. Khulna City layout Map - Fig:02. CBD (partial), The study area

URBAN REVITALIZATION :
A strategy for development

Re-vi-tal-ize > renew somebody or something > to give new life or energy to somebody or something. The only solution to improve this condition of a city is to eliminate the existing and prevent the future blight in urban areas. An action to be taken to remove the blight is called urban revitalization. Revitalization is called the SURGERY on the decaying part of a city. Revitalization helps to remove the buildings from blighted areas which have completed their useful life and are thus beyond conservation or rehabilitation. It is therefore necessary to demolish the entire area or preplan the area for completely new development. The land acquired under this category is used for rebuilding according to the detailed revitalization for the area. The developing countries have been experiencing a rapid transformation of Architectural over the past three or four decades as a result of the influence of economic expansion, modern technology and the media. The recognition and declaration of cultural identity has indeed become one of the fundamental demands today. It follows that economic and technological progress, urban expansion and building programs. Recommendations of this case study are based on urban revitalization principles.

EXISTING CONDITION :
Land use Pattern :

Fig:03. Land use pattern of the study area


Fig:04. Land use-2

Fig:05. Building height .

Fig:06. Market Area


Fig:07. Partial areal view of the site - Fig:08. One major road


Fig:09. Shopping Street - Fig:10. Loading- unloading in the Street


Fig:11. Market Street - Fig:12. Fruit Market


Fig:13. Shopping street

SCOPES OF DEVELOPMENT :

Today urbanization is recognized as a positive process where the means of production i.e. labor, capital and goods can move freely to places where they can be most productive and cities can function as engines of growth. To improve or revitalize an urban area it is essential to have well designed area development plans. This is a physical plan, which guides implementation as per socio-economic needs and identified goals transferred into area specific guidelines and proposals. However following are the areas where there are scopes of development for the study area.

- Railway, roads & waterways in and adjacent the study area.
- River and the embankment along the riverbank.
- Unutilized and underutilized spaces within the study area.

RECOMMENDATION FOR DEVELOPMENT :

Today debates and protest on illegal use of land, lack of planning and building codes are found to be common topics for discussions by planners, thinkers and activists. The environmental deterioration of the urban areas today is a result of the lack of policy support for adequate investment and in urban development and urban management. It is to remember that cities are neither universal in character nor do they have universal requirements. The variation in shape, size, layout, treatment and development of urban areas is an offshoot of physical, socio-cultural, political and economic factors. Therefore the context of the area studied has come up with the following recommendations:

- Separation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
- Management and provision of appropriate parking system for both motorized and non - motorized vehicles.
- Provision of an effective traffic management system to control unauthorized parking.
- Removal of old and rundown structures and construction of new buildings to efficiently
- Support the buildings.
- Building setback rules are to be strictly applied and practiced in the area.
- Demolition of semi-permanent and temporary structures, which are encroaching different roads in the area.
- Identifying unused spaces and make out a proper guideline for better use.
- Increasing the width of the road where it is possible.
- River bank can be developed and utilized as recreational space in addition to water
- Transportation system.
- As hawkers are inevitable part of urban street in this context, this issue should be dealt sympathetically and appropriate planning measures should be adopted.

CONCLUSION :

Revitalization of a built environment is both necessary and good indicator of an urban area viability for re-use to serve the needs of today and future. Revitalization largely depends upon the change in social, economical and cultural condition of a society and also on the longevity of the structures. But for revitalization of the CBD of Khulna it needs proper governance. Efficient management, proper policy, preservation up gradation of existing building and zoning, merged with skillful urban renewal program based on the socio-economic, cultural, recreational and environmental needs of people of all classes and communities, may be the realistic approach to give the city a sustainable presence.