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Aerial view of the large public ghat along the Nabaganga river in the city of Jhenaidah. | Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)
Aerial view of the large public ghat along the Nabaganga river in the city of Jhenaidah.

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

AKAA
Khudi Bari erected in Char Juan Satra, in the district of Kurigram. Dependent on agriculture and fishing, the char communities are highly sensitive to changes in the environment and the impacts of climate change.

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / City Syntax (F. M. Faruque Abdullah Shawon, H. M. Fozla Rabby Apurbo)

The ghat was built with brick and concrete by local masons. It was designed with respect for the local topography. | Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)
The ghat was built with brick and concrete by local masons. It was designed with respect for the local topography. 

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

The architects surveyed and documented all the trees in the city in order to propose ecologically significant vegetation and enhance the area's biodiversity. All the existing trees on-site were preserved. | Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)
The architects surveyed and documented all the trees in the city in order to propose ecologically significant vegetation and enhance the area's biodiversity. All the existing trees on-site were preserved. 

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

The ghat is built on two levels connected by stairs and a ramp. | Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)
The ghat is built on two levels connected by stairs and a ramp. 

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

Stairs connecting the two levels of the ghat. | Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)
Stairs connecting the two levels of the ghat. 

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

The ghat has become a popular place for the local people to exercise, enjoy an evening stroll, meet with friends or simply sit by the river. | Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)
The ghat has become a popular place for the local people to exercise, enjoy an evening stroll, meet with friends or simply sit by the river.

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

Smaller ghats are built to accomodate the daily needs of the local communities who bathe, wash their clothes and fish in the Nabaganga river. | Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)
Smaller ghats are built to accomodate the daily needs of the local communities who bathe, wash their clothes and fish in the Nabaganga river. 

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

View of a small ghat used by the inhabitants of the village of Shatbariya. The circular structure adjoining the stairs is a changing room. | Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)
View of a small ghat used by the inhabitants of the village of Shatbariya. The circular structure adjoining the stairs is a changing room. 

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

Plan of the public ghat. | Courtesy of architect
Plan of the public ghat. 

Courtesy of architect

Shatbariya community ghat. | Courtesy of architect
Shatbariya community ghat. 

Courtesy of architect

Master plan along the river. | Courtesy of architect
Master plan along the river. 

Courtesy of architect

The smaller community ghat seen from the opposite bank of the Nabaganga river. © Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

The smaller community ghat seen from the opposite bank of the Nabaganga river.

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

A narrow path and a flight of stairs lead to the lower level of the community ghat. © Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

A narrow path and a flight of stairs lead to the lower level of the community ghat.

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

The changing room was a feature requested by the community during the collaborative design session. © Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

The changing room was a feature requested by the community during the collaborative design session.

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

Children enjoying the view from the top of the changing room. © Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

Children enjoying the view from the top of the changing room.

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

The site of the public ghat has the benefit of large pre-existing trees that provide shade throughout the day. © Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

The site of the public ghat has the benefit of large pre-existing trees that provide shade throughout the day. 

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

Residents use both levels of the public ghat for sitting, walking, practising sports and other cultural and recreational activities. © Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

Residents use both levels of the public ghat for sitting, walking, practising sports and other cultural and recreational activities.

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

The Municipality of Jhenaidah provides docking facilities in the larger ghat, which can be reached directly from the river. © Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

The Municipality of Jhenaidah provides docking facilities in the larger ghat, which can be reached directly from the river.

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

On the lower level of the public ghat, the vertical surface of the retaining wall cleverly serves for public exhibition purposes. © Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

On the lower level of the public ghat, the vertical surface of the retaining wall cleverly serves for public exhibition purposes.

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

The parapet of the retaining wall extends around the existing trees to protect them, also providing semi-enclosed seating areas. © Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

The parapet of the retaining wall extends around the existing trees to protect them, also providing semi-enclosed seating areas.

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

There are no decorative elements in either ghat. However, the traditional brick masonry and the quality of the materials are evident. © Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

There are no decorative elements in either ghat. However, the traditional brick masonry and the quality of the materials are evident.

Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Asif Salman (photographer)

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Urban River Spaces

Award Cycle: 2020-2022 Cycle

Status: Award Recipient

Country of origin: Bangladesh

Location: Jhenaidah, Bangladesh

Client: Residents & Jhenaidah City Authority

Architect: Co.Creation Architects / Khondaker Hasibul Kabir, Suhailey Farzana

Completed: 2019

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The community-driven project provides public spaces in the riverine city with 250,000 residents; over time, access to and use of the river and banks had become impeded. To date, the project comprises two ghats – steps leading down to platforms at the river, with adjacent walkways – and the opening of obstructed pedestrian pathways leading to them. Locally available materials such as brick and concrete were used in the simple, contextual designs, all built by local builders and masons; the site-specific projects retain all existing trees and vegetation. Future phases focus on public use of the river area with walkways, gardens, cultural facilities and environmental efforts to increase biodiversity in the river.


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