Adaptive rethinking of Jamuna Future Park as a Civic Space

Abstract

Democratic societies thrive on spatial settings which cater to the innate need for socializing for human beings. In the era of globalization and late-stage capitalism, it is crucial to understand the intricacies of economics and societies. This thesis aims to explore the deteriorating fabric of civic textures in Dhaka’s cityscape and create a hypothesis which proposes an alternative solution to a central node of the city’s map. Dhaka is seeing its civic spaces, from the local tong (tea stall) to national icons disintegrating into remnants of the past with the overwhelming force of the free market. The deterioration of ‘social scapes’ is undoubtedly a reflection of the changing consciousness of her inhabitants. Can architecture be a defining tool to reconcile society and economics to facilitate politics? This paper tries to rethink an existing shopping mall, Jamuna Future Park, in a given plot of land – to create a dynamic urban center which will provide human-centered experiences and to help contribute to the overall neighborhood area development in one of the prime nodes of Dhaka city.