Project Description

Space plays a crucial role in bringing people together. The quality of a space and the functions it offers act as powerful tools to encourage interaction. In Dhaka, Old Dhaka preserves a strong sense of community through its narrow golis, courtyards, markets, religious sites, river fronts, and mixed-use buildings. These spaces are multi-purpose — a goli might be a playground in the morning, a wedding route in the afternoon, and a food street at night — with traditions woven into the urban fabric, sustaining festivals, rituals, and gatherings.

In contrast, New Dhaka has lost much of its human connection, with many residents not even knowing their neighbors. Rapid urbanization, high-rises, and car-centric planning have reduced spontaneous interactions, while limited public spaces and transaction-focused commercial areas erode belonging and identity. To address this, we looked to an overlooked yet promising space: rooftops. Our design reimagines them as multifunctional hubs, fostering interaction and rebuilding the social bonds that once enriched community life but are now fading.

We illustrated this through a case study of a goli in New Dhaka, showing how connecting spaces can foster a sense of community. By designing public amenities that double as social connectors, we aim to create a “social canopy” — a structure that bridges gaps between people and nurtures the essence of human connection.