http://lib.buet.ac.bd;localhosthttp://:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/51 Post graduate dissertations (Theses ) of Department of Architecture Sat, 31 Oct 2026 11:45:03 GMT 2026-10-31T11:45:03Z http://lib.buet.ac.bd;localhosthttp://:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7395 Social sustainability of the dwellings in Tanguar Haor, Bangladesh Dr. Catherine Daisy Gomes; Saifuzzaman, Mohammad.; 1016014001 P; 728.2095492/SAI/2025 Social sustainability encompasses a community's ability to preserve and enhance its well-being while safeguarding its cultural and social values over time. While evaluating the social sustainability of the dwellings in Tanguar Haor, it is imperative to consider environmental, social, and economic dimensions. These factors play a vital role in identifying and comprehending sustainable solutions that can significantly improve the quality of life for the region's dwellers. Tanguar Haor, a large bowl-shaped tectonic depression, is one of the most significant geosyncline wetlands, located at Tahirpur and Dharmapasha upazila of Sunanganj district, in the northeast region of Bangladesh. Among the country’s 373 existing Haors, it was the first designated “Ecologically Critical Area (ECA)” by the GoB in 1999 and the second RAMSAR Site by UNESCO in 2000. It has abundant natural resources and biodiversity, which are essential to Bangladesh's economy. This seasonal wetland is a unique ecosystem, consisting of numerous rivers, canals, and beels, which receives seasonal flooding and grows into a large water body during the monsoon before drying out during the post-monsoon season. The upper grounds, referred to by the locals as "kanda," are dwelling areas situated at beels and river edges. The local inhabitants belong to the nation's most marginalized economic class, primarily dependent on agriculture in the dry season and fishing during the monsoon as an occupation. The physical features of these dwellings are predominantly governed by the seasonal variations in water levels, adverse environmental conditions, and inhabitants' lean economic affordability, which strive to withstand flash floods, strong winds, and persistent rain throughout the year. Despite numerous studies on Tanguar Haor, there has been little focus on dwellings from a social sustainability perspective. The Haor dwellings, which are particularly susceptible to environmental risks, pose significant challenges for both the residents and the surrounding environment. This vulnerable dwelling circumstance results in a considerable number of fatalities, increased poverty, and urban migration, all of which have not been thoroughly researched and must be studied for social sustainability evaluation. This study evaluated the interplay of environmental challenges, social aspects, and economic contexts to encompass the overall social sustainability of the Tanguar Haor dwellings. Understanding social sustainability and its interpretation from the different secondary literature resources, a mixed-methods approach was employed for data collection during the field survey, integrating observation through a transect walk, focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and a semi-structured questionnaire. The selection of Kanda samples was meticulously chosen for an in-depth field investigation to explore both linear and clustered settlement patterns in the study area. The research identifies key challenges to social sustainability in Tanguar Haor, stemming from environmental, social, and economic factors. Limited access to services, inadequate infrastructure, and seasonal isolation create hurdles for residents. Poorly designed dwellings compromise health due to insufficient airflow and poor solar orientation, while cramped conditions deny privacy, especially for women and children. The lack of community facilities, healthcare, and educational opportunities weakens social cohesion. Economic instability arises from reliance on local materials, limited job prospects, and seasonal resource dependency. These combined issues threaten the long-term sustainability of the settlement. Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://lib.buet.ac.bd;localhosthttp://:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7395 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z http://lib.buet.ac.bd;localhosthttp://:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7393 Impact of metal roofing sheet on the indoor thermal conditions of readymade garment factories in the context of Dhaka Ashikur Rahman Joarder, Dr. Md.; Nazmul Ahmed Roni; 1014012008 P; 711.590954922/NAZ/2023 Readymade garment (RMG) industry is the leading sector of Bangladesh, in promoting country's economic growth. Despite making remarkable contribution to the financial development and poverty alleviation by creating job opportunities for more than four million workers, these labor-intensive factories have been criticized over many years, due to having substandard working conditions. It has been observed that indoor thermal environment of numerous industries is extremely uncomfortable with high air temperature comparing the comfortable range which is one of the major concerns affecting the workers’ health and productivity. The building envelope especially the roof, receives a large amount of direct solar radiation during daytime and have a huge impact on the thermal environment inside the building. The selection of roofing materials and its material compositions in industrial buildings are significant issues to improve the thermal performance of indoor working areas. The present trend demonstrates that metal sheets is one of the most frequently used roofing materials in the local context. This study aims to investigate indoor thermal performance of various metal roofing sheets with insulations for RMG factories located in Dhaka. For the study, a particular RMG factory’s production space was selected. Then a three-dimensional energy model was developed by EnergyPlusTM and Rhinoceros software to perform thermal simulations and measure different thermal variables for evaluating indoor thermal performance. According to the findings, the employment of a white colour metal roof in most daylit efficient roof configuration can result in a reduction of indoor temperature by 2°C in comparison to the outdoor temperature. Adding insulation beneath the metal roof can further lower indoor temperature by approximately 2.5°C. However, white color roof and multiple insulations will increase indoor relative humidity by 14%. The evaluation of these results can aid designers in creating efficient metal roofs that will provide thermal comfort in RMG factories. Keywords: RMG factory, production space, roof, metal sheet, insulation, indoor thermal performance Tue, 07 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://lib.buet.ac.bd;localhosthttp://:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7393 2023-03-07T00:00:00Z http://lib.buet.ac.bd;localhosthttp://:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7218 Living condition in the Rohingya settlement camp in Kuthupalong at Ukhiyacox's Bazar Gomes, Dr. Catherine Daisy; Jahidul Islam; 0418012019; 727.0954923/JAH/2025 The Kutupalong Rohingya settlement camp, situated in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, is one of the largest and most densely populated refugee camps in the world. Established to provide temporary refuge for the Rohingya community fleeing persecution in Myanmar, the camp currently shelters approximately 1,003,394 refugees who arrived during a significant influx beginning in August 2017 (UNHCR, 2024). The Rohingya, a Muslim minority group, have sought safety and the opportunity to rebuild their lives in 34 makeshift camps within the Kutupalong area (Mohajan H. K, 2018). These camps are characterized by overcrowded living conditions, limited resources, and significant challenges related to shelter, sanitation, healthcare, and food security. This thesis investigates the living conditions of Rohingya refugees in Kutupalong, focusing on the spatial organization of shelters and the socio-cultural factors shaping their arrangements. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines qualitative interviews with Rohingya families and community leaders and quantitative mapping techniques to analyze shelter layouts and their significance. This integrated methodology provides a comprehensive understanding of how the Rohingya adapt to their environment and navigate displacement challenges. The findings reveal that shelter layouts in Kutupalong are deeply influenced by cultural practices, social relationships, and shared values. The spatial organization reflects the community’s traditions, such as extended family structures, communal living, and gender-based privacy norms. These arrangements help maintain a sense of identity, belonging, and mutual support despite harsh conditions. Additionally, the research highlights adaptive strategies employed by families, including modifications like bamboo partitions, tarpaulin sheets, and elevated flooring to enhance privacy, create communal spaces, and protect against environmental challenges such as monsoons and extreme heat. By exploring the interplay between culture and spatial organization, this thesis underscores the importance of integrating cultural contexts into humanitarian responses. It advocates for culturally informed approaches to designing interventions, ensuring they are effective and sensitive to the needs of displaced communities. The insights gained have significant implications for humanitarian agencies and policymakers, emphasizing the need to move beyond standardized solutions and prioritize the unique socio-cultural dynamics of refugees. Ultimately, this research celebrates the resilience and adaptability of the Rohingya community while offering valuable lessons for addressing displacement crises worldwide. It highlights the importance of dignity, hope, and culturally sensitive support in rebuilding the lives of displaced populations. Sat, 25 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://lib.buet.ac.bd;localhosthttp://:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7218 2025-01-25T00:00:00Z http://lib.buet.ac.bd;localhosthttp://:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7203 Daylighting and energy use intensity-driven façade design optimization for office buildings in the context of Dhaka Ashikur Rahman Joarder, Dr. Md.; Kundu, Gourab; 0418012010; 729,0954922/KUN/2025 Bangladesh's rising energy demand and the need for sustainable built environments have made green building designs increasingly popular. However, the growing trend of practicing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified green buildings in Bangladesh primarily focuses on using energy-efficient equipment. In Dhaka, many office buildings feature fully glazed façades, which minimize the need for artificial lighting but cause excessive daylight penetration, resulting in glare, solar heat gain, and increased energy consumption for cooling. Optimizing architectural parameters during the design phase can significantly lower energy consumption. The building envelope plays a key role in energy regulation, with its design significantly impacting heat gain and loss. In warm and humid areas, i.e., Dhaka, reducing the window-to-wall ratio (WWR) can help minimize solar heat gain but may also increase the need for artificial lighting. To counteract heat gain through large openings, the use of shading devices is essential. However, improper shading can reduce daylight availability, so careful design of façade parameters for each orientation is necessary to ensure adequate daylight while avoiding increased energy consumption. Therefore, there is a need for optimization strategies that identify the appropriate parameters for façade design elements, ensuring a proper balance among various building performance metrics, such as daylight, energy use, visual comfort, and thermal comfort. This research aims to optimize façade parameters (WWR ratio and horizontal shading depth) in Dhaka's office buildings to enhance daylight, ensure visual comfort, and reduce energy consumption. The study employed quantitative, computational, and analytical techniques and followed a four-step framework. The study began with an extensive literature review to identify key façade predictors. In the second phase, Rhino and Grasshopper were used to create a parametric test model for daylight and energy simulations. The models were then merged and analyzed in ClimateStudio and Octopus with genetic algorithms for optimization. Finally, the results were statistically evaluated through scatterplot analysis, which highlighted the trade-offs between daylighting and energy efficiency. A frequency distribution of façade design variables in Pareto-optimal solutions was conducted to identify effective value ranges for crucial façade design parameters. This analysis ultimately led to a sensitivity assessment of these parameters to ensure optimal performance. To visually analyze the optimum solutions, the Design Explorer was utilized effectively. The research identified optimized façade solutions achieving sDA300/50% values over 90%, ASE1000, 250h below 10% and an average EUI of 256.66 kWh/(m²y). Increasing the WWR on north and south façades enhances daylight, while reducing it on east and west façades controls solar exposure and lowers EUI. The study highlights that deeper shading on south, east, and west façades further decreases EUI. An ideal façade design includes high WWR on the north (80-100%), moderate to high WWR with deep shading on the south (51-100%), and low WWR with deep shading on the east and west (11-30%). This balanced approach optimizes daylight quality, solar control, and energy efficiency, showcasing a multi-objective optimization method that supports architects in making informed early design decisions. The potential for net-zero buildings may exist if other factors are further explored. Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://lib.buet.ac.bd;localhosthttp://:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7203 2025-01-20T00:00:00Z