Project Brief:

Mundas are one of Bangladesh’s major forest based tribes having a distinct indigenous way of living. The majority of them settled in Bangladesh’s south-west region, the ecological zone of the Sundarbans. Living in this country’s one of the most vulnerable areas, the Munda people of Sundarbans are facing challenges of subsistence, survival, and prejudice. Every year, they face enormous challenges from saline intrusion, tropical storms, tidal surges, and other natural calamities, making their lives harder. The project intends to develop a socio-economically sustainable Munda settlement by increasing the resilience, adaptability, and affordability of their houses, households and hamlet in an effective way to withstand climate challenges with the help of their indigenous knowledge and construction techniques. This may also aid in the enrichment of their indigenous culture, as well as the introduction of their heritage to the rest of the world.

Munda Community of the Sundarbans:

As a forest dependent community, the mangrove ecology supports them for their subsistence. Due to many climatic disasters and the scarcity of livelihood their direct dependence on Sundarbans is increasing. When the Bengali settlers arrived in this area at the end of the colonial era, they forcibly took away their land, taking advantage of their lack of Bangla language understanding. Even now, discrimination against Munda people exists in schools, workplaces, and social engagements.

Image : An overview on Munda community

Image : Understanding of people, culture & conflict

Image : Idea & Concept development

Concept Development:

The concept was developed by focusing on the relationship between present challenges and conventional practices while maintaining environmental soundness. Monoculture has been practiced in this particular area for many years for which trees has been cut down & land has been used for monocrop (shrimp culture). In order to bring back the past topology of this area the intention leads to the concept of “Agro-forestry”. This concept was considered in order to bring economic, climatic and ecological resilience as well as integrating this with their spaces. Agro-forestry was developed in multilayers to protect the settlement, agricultural field, to reduce salinity and creation of income source as well. It can also provide building materials, reducing their reliance on the Sundarbans.

Policy Development:

The design policy was divided into three layers (micro, meso and macro) to meet up all levels of issues.
• Micro Policy: House and household level policy was developed in this phase. Planning and land development (10%), use of local materials (20%), construction of individual’s houses (10%) and indigenous techniques of construction (10%) can reduce the total construction cost by 50%
• Meso Policy: Agroforestry, tourism, and forest management may contribute to their economy. In addition, it can also aid in the preservation of their culture and the safeguarding of the Sundarbans.
• Macro Policy: The Munda community as a whole, its social structure, and the influence of their relationship with the Sundarbans were all focused on.

Master plan & Design Development:

The primary zoning, dwelling cluster, agro-forestry, infrastructure, and community facilities were developed in 3 phases considering the geographical position, existing layout and socio-economic condition. Firstly, most vulnerable houses were spotted, re-constructed and less vulnerable houses were renovated according to their vulnerability. The house clusters were developed with multilayer buffers which ensure natural barrier for homesteads resulting less damage than before. Agro-forestry was initiated from the 1st phase which can be a source of income as well. Shared pond, multipurpose workspace, community forestry can add to their economy. Household clusters are formed with multilayer buffers & zigzag pattern to avoid wind pocket. Multipurpose school for Munda children & alternative livelihood training center were developed. The primary school can act as a cyclone shelter as well in time of disaster. Cultural center is proposed as a depiction of the traditional Munda house to represent their traditional archetype and to preserve and exhibit various cultural artifacts in order to promote their culture to visitors. The proposed training center can be used for Munda people’s alternative livelihood training and where local Bengali people and visitors can learn about their indigenous cultivation practices. The existing akhara space is developed as a place to accommodate their religious functions, village fair, community gatherings and temporary kitchen market. A market is proposed on the bank of the river where local people and tourist can also buy their crafts and goods.

Image : Masterplan development

Image : House development & construction

Image : Disaster resilience

Individual house forms were developed considering the site context, climatic conditions, vulnerability, traditional building techniques and disaster withstanding measures. House modules were proposed with the facilities of possible future expansion in an incremental way by two phases. Multipurpose uses and easy adaptability were taken into consideration to facilitate house module as post-disaster shelter. Affordability, cost effectiveness and use of local materials were the primary factors.

Feature for Resilient House:

Three major factors were considered; Response, Recover and Adapt. Multipurpose uses of space, shared macha can economically help the families. Also, it can be used as livestock shelter in time of water clogging. Veranda surrounding the core area can act as a buffer space for wind, can protect the mud wall inside, also can be used for various activities. In time of a disaster, attic space can be used as a temporary shelter and storage in usual time. Bamboo fence surrounding the veranda can act as a primary protection from wild animals.

Image : Proposed Amenities

Proposed Amenities:

Amenities were developed according to the needs of this specific community. The amenity zone is connected to the settlement zone by internal and main road. Community spaces were regulated according to their uses and activities.
1. A new primary school is proposed dedicated for the Munda community to practice Munda language along with Bangla and English.
2. The proposed Cultural Centre can might also be used as a cultural club.
3. The proposed Training Centre can be used as Munda people’s alternative livelihood and capacity building training.

Jury Board’s Comment:

• Extensive background studies have been carried out in this project which is reflected in the design. The indigenous culture of the Munda community has been taken into consideration and handled sensitively which is highly commendable- Abu Imamuddin.
• The main objective of thesis is to find & analysis of a problem. In this project the existing issue is properly addressed and feasible solution is proposed which made this a successful thesis – Dr. MD.Ashikur Rahman Joarder.

Image : Proposed Munda Settlements