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Project Name: Eco-Homes: Enhancing the Urban Poor of Sattola, Dhaka Project Site: Sattola, Dhaka, Bangladesh Student’s Name: Nazifa Nawar Subha Project Year: 2024 Supervisor: Prof. Dr. S M Najmul Imam, Ar. Fouzia Masud Mouri Head of the Department: Prof. Dr. S M Najmul Imam University: Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Nomination received for the project: 1. 3rd prize in Architecture (Student) Category in TraMod Awards 2024 by Istanbul Kultur University in Istanbul, Turkey. 2. One of the three projects which received RISE Research Grant from BUET within the entire batch in Architecture department. 3. Top 100 among 587 thesis projects in International Graduation projects in Tamayouz Excellence Award. |
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Concept As Dhaka continues to rapidly urbanize, it faces an increasing challenge: the rapid increase of informal settlements that house a large portion of the urban poor. These settlements are a direct result of an influx of rural migrants seeking better opportunities in the city, only to find themselves trapped in substandard living conditions. The consequences of this urban migration are grave, as the residents of these settlements are forced to live in overcrowded, unsafe, and unhygienic spaces. As rent in established areas like Dhanmondi remains low, slum dwellers pay higher rents per square feet - approximately up to 60% of their income - for homes that lack basic amenities such as ventilation, sanitation, and waste disposal. |
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The city’s urban poor, despite contributing significantly to the local economy, are caught in a relentless poverty cycle, with many government housing projects failing to meet their needs due to unaffordable housing solutions with zero sustainable considerations. |
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In response to these issues, the Eco-Homes project seeks to provide an alternative solution - a sustainable, community-focused co-housing approach that addresses the unique challenges of the urban poor in Dhaka. This project, based in Sattola, an industrial area in Mohakhali, Dhaka, aims to offer a more humane and scalable solution to housing informal settlements, while simultaneously preserving the cultural roots of the people who live there. |
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Through a six months long survey conducted with the NGO Dusthya Shasthya Kendra, key challenges such as evictions, fire hazards, water hygiene, and crime were identified, underscoring the need for a solution that preserves community interdependence and cultural traditions. Information was collected through settlement survey and open ended interviews, literature review, case studies and discussion with government individuals from RAJUK and National Housing Authority. The project meets the UN SDG goals of Good health & well-being, Sanitation, sustainable cities and community. |
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Materials Used At its core, the Eco-Homes project proposes a modular, prefabricated housing system that can be expanded incrementally over time. This scalable solution is designed to grow with the residents, allowing for gradual improvements in their living conditions as their financial circumstances improve. By using reusable materials and recycled construction waste, the project reduces construction costs by as much as 22% compared to conventional building methods. The structure of each home is made from prefabricated beams and columns cast from construction and demolition (C&D) waste that also facilitates reduction of landfill waste. Design solution has been made to avoid eviction during construction and further facilitating creation of new informal settlements.
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In addition, the project repurposes doors and windows from local markets, further reducing construction costs while supporting the local economy. The project is globally replicable due to its simple build techniques. |
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Design Approach One of the most important features of the Eco-Homes project is its emphasis on community involvement in both the design and construction processes. The people who will eventually live in these homes are actively engaged in construction, which reduces labor costs and also gives the residents a sense of ownership and pride in their homes. The design itself reflects a holistic approach that balances both traditional and modern architectural solutions. The project preserves these cultural aspects by incorporating communal kitchens, vegetable farming on rooftops, and courtyards designed for social interaction. Each set of four housing blocks is arranged around a central courtyard, creating a shared space for social activities, farming, and other community practices. |
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The rooftop farming system allows residents to grow their own food, which helps reduce their reliance on external sources of produce, while the rainwater harvesting system and poultry farming further contribute to the self-sufficiency of the community. The housing system used a cheap and efficient grey water system designed in the masterplan. Every ground floor cluster contains Universal accessible toilets for the physically challenged individual. |
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Upgrading the community and co-housing The Eco-Homes project also promotes economic self-sufficiency and social inclusion. By offering residents the flexibility to choose cheaper infill materials for their homes initially, and upgrade over time as their financial situation improves, the design allows residents to progressively enhance their living conditions without the burden of overwhelming costs. |
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The project fosters a culture of entrepreneurship within the community by allowing residents to be involved in the construction and upkeep of their homes, thereby creating small-scale businesses and employment opportunities. As the community develops, mid-to-high-income individuals can also engage with the area economically, helping to further promote social cohesion and economic sustainability. The cultural significance of the Sattola settlement is deeply woven into the project. It mirrors the way people lived in their villages, connected to nature, self-reliant, and interdependent. By preserving these values and combining them with modern architectural techniques, Eco-Homes creates a framework for uplifting entire communities and breaking the cycle of poverty. It provides a solution that addresses the needs of the present while laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable future. |
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Jury Comments: Ar. Humayra Anan – “The way the living quality of these residents have been studied and improved, and a community connection has been created among the residents respecting their culture is very interesting. The merging of the concepts of recycling materials and providing affordable housing is very innovative.” Prof. Dr. Shayer Ghafur – “In support of your project I would like to say that you made an attempt to re-house the existing residents in a better condition without having to evict them. In reality this is a difficult job to execute. The strategy you adopted in commendable. I wish there was more detail regarding sewage water treatment and hope you will reflect light on that in the future.” |
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Dr Asma Naz – “The clusters are looking very good in your masterplan. But I think the community areas should have more clarity regarding their users.” Ar. Fouzia Masud Mouri – “It is greatly appreciated that her design layout, structural and material decisions are all fueled by in-depth research on the residents. Her masterplan is very well thought and being her supervisor I witnessed how long she researched to reach a decision on the masterplan. Her cost-cutting methods are commendable too. She has worked compassionately to elevate the lifestyle of the urban poor in her design. ” |
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| Contributor: Ar. Faiza Fairooz |
