The garden oasis: rethinking the cultural complex extension as a breathing space, Gulistan park

Abstract

There is numerous significant history of Dhaka city in "Gulistan." Bengali culture and urban growth have been present there since the colonial era. Gulistan is an extremely important place of Dhaka city with many memories of its old cinema hall which has now been refurbished into a shopping complex and also because of its importance as a commercial hub. Gulistan Park, therefore amidst this high density urban neighborhood is an extremely sensitive area as it needs to live on as a significant urban breathing space. The Park and Cultural Zones are two distinct areas of the park. The park zone has grown over time, but the cultural zone still requires significant development. The cultural zone comprises of gallery, cinema hall, auditorium. retail blocks and religious block consists of mosque and a madrasa. An urban plaza connects the blocks both spatially and visually while keeping them apart in terms of privacy. This cultural area adjacent to the park could be a major recreational source for the neighborhood, enhancing its potential as a cultural hub and exploration. This project can thus help in bringing back and enhancing the lost cultural essence of Gulistan and enhance the area as a breathing space for the dense urban neighborhood.