Site Location: Gowainghat Upazila, Sylhet city, Bangladesh.

Students name: Farha Moon

Project year: 2023

Supervisor: Ar. Kawshik Saha

Head of the department: Ar. Iftekhar Rahman

University: Shahjalal University of Science and Technology

Project background and site:

Bangladesh's government has proposed a "My village, my town" scheme to provide basic urban amenities to rural communities. Under this scheme, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) plans to develop 15 villages as pilots, aiming to be socioeconomically self-sufficient and serve as a model for other communities. The thesis research study was conducted in Bogaiya village, a small, remote village in Gowainghat Upazila of Sylhet. The village's residents, who were involved in stone business and Bisnakandi tourism, are facing an economic crisis due to a ban on stone excavation.

Image: Site Analysis

Image: Existing Conflicts

Concept/Aim: The thesis aims to develop the socioeconomic condition of the local community using tourism as a tool and by generating alternative economic sources through integrated tourism development. It also ensures to enhancement of visitors’ experiences and community well-being. The challenge was finding an appropriate rural development strategy for community-based tourism and creating an environment that would encourage the villagers to shift from an ecologically detrimental economy to an environment-friendly one.

Image: Strategies

Design consideration: The research on Bogaiya village reveals various conflicts related to sociocultural, accessibility, ecological, environmental, and tourism issues. These conflicts necessitate a collaborative approach to sustainable solutions, preserving the village's natural and cultural heritage. The findings guide the development of strategies to address these issues and enhance the community's overall well-being.

Image: Masterplan

Image: Proposed Framework

Design implementation:

At first, several potential zones having cultural and aesthetic value were identified and a tourism path was overlaid over it maintaining the privacy and security of the village. The proposed master plan suggests three architectural intervention areas, including a training center for villagers in the projected educational hub zone and tourism-based intervention sites at Khash Land and Haidarpar Node. The Bisnakandi tourist area was planned as an ecological reserve for natural tourism. The proposed dry season route connects all intervention areas, providing visitors with a comprehensive sense of rural tourism.

Image: Design Tools

Image: Plan of Tourist Amenities Center

In the first intervention area, a tourist information center is proposed to offer transportation and information services to tourists. Here visitors can purchase tickets and use eco-friendly vehicles or boats. The center will also provide services like maps, brochures, and souvenirs to enhance the visitor experience.

Image: Plan of Training and Production Center

The second intervention area offers tourist amenities, fostering interaction between locals and visitors. It features a market for local products and food courts, while an amphitheatre entertains visitors with local culture and Manipuri traditional dances. The landscape along the waterbody offers stunning views of Meghalaya and Bisnakandi, with walking trails and picnic areas for relaxation. The design also includes observation decks and viewpoints for panoramic views of the Meghalaya.

The third area features a training and production centre for villagers to develop skills and display their handwoven Manipuri products. A childcare zone is designed near the production area, providing a safe environment for children to focus on their work. This initiative supports the local economy by promoting and selling Manipuri products and empowers women in the community by offering opportunities for skill development and financial independence.

Image: Area 1 - Tourist Information Center

Image: Area 2 - Tourist Amenities Center

Image: Area 3 - Training and Production Center

Image: Section AA'

Image: Section BB'

Building materials:

The proposed architecture of the buildings showcases a blend of traditional Manipuri space configurations and local culture, emphasizing space sequences and connections with the local context. The project promotes the use of local and sustainable materials such as stone, bamboo, locally available bricks, and other lightweight materials. Plinths are constructed using sand and dirt, and a 10% cement mixture is used as a top layer to boost resilience. Cement and stones are used to create semi-pavement tiles for outdoor usage. In addition to adding visual attractiveness to the design, these semi-pavement tiles also foster harmony between the architecture and the surrounding natural area, strengthening the link with the surrounding environment. The Manipuri and Bangla Batton homes of Sylhet serve as inspiration for the creation of jali and bamboo crafts. The design concept infuses fundamental moral principles and forges a sustainable future by fusing tradition and innovation.

Image: Building Materials

Image: Perspective 1 - Tourist Amenities Center

Image: Perspective 2 - Tourist Amenities Center

Image: Perspective 3 - Tourist Amenities Center

Image: Perspective 4 - Training and Production Center