Revitalization of old central jail area: through selective redevelopment

Abstract

Dhaka City prospered and flourished over the years, along with the invasion of the Mughal and the British. Population increased, people arrived from villages to the city in search of better job and living, especially because Puran Dhaka was and is still one of the main trading zones of the city. Uncontrolled urbanization, changes in land use patterns, the growing density of new settlements, and modern transportation have brought about rapid transformation to the historic fabric of the Mughal and the British settlements. The Dhaka Central Jail, with architectural marks that reflects Mughal and British histories, has been chronically overcrowded. As the central jail has been shifted to Keraniganj, this has vacated a large area of land for alternative uses. As old part if Dhaka is highly lacking in breathing and recreational open space, this place would be the last opportunity for providing an open space and a civic space. A museum thus has been proposed to hold up the significant history and the value of the central jail area. In addition, this museum has be designed in such a way that serves as a breathing space for the city and responds to the social, environmental, economic and historic hunger of the human mind. The project also involves preservation of the existing museum, which includes the cell of the great leader like Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujubur Rahman and the four of national leaders. Therefore, along with the historical importance the museum depicts the story of the jail life of the prisoners.