Abstract:
Cities and Settlement arc in a continuous process of change,
readjustment and evolution. Rajshahi old town is no exception,
which epitomizes a long history of urbanization. Local culture
and the way of life had always been a unique modifier to absorb
or adapt that is new, in its folds. It is through this process of
change and adjustments that urban areas remain relevant and
useful in a contemporary setting.Thoughchange and adaptability
are fundamentalaspects of livelyand growing scttlementsyet when
change is too fust or out of context, it creates problems of
harmoniousdevelopment.The generictype that is unfolded through
the studies shows clues to a hidden order that provides a distinctive
pattern to an indigenous settlement. Due to the rapid pace of
urbanization during the post-independence period it has
witnessed fust morphologieal changes, sometimes disruptive to
the community and spatial structure. It is a general belief that
previously Rajshahi old town was more vibrant, dynamic and
liveable, outdoor spaces were more responsive. The spaces
including the streets, GOLl (lane) and GHATS (terrace along
water body) contributed towards community interaction, while
buildingsand courtyardswere well embedded-inthe cohesiveurban
fubricproducinga suslainableenvironment.The older locality is still
more preferred for living than the newer parts of the city. What
arc the ingredients that make the old city or its outdoor spaces so
vibrant? The research explores for the answer. Rajshahi old town
in general was studied to understand the context and than a
specific area was identified for detail observation. The Urban
designers belonging to the urban form debate consider the city as
the produet of the generative funetional systems of architecture
and thus of urban space. However they don't rejeet the role of
geo-climatie, politico-economic, socio-cultural and technological
forces in shaping the liveability. Based on these premises, Spatial
Pattern of Rajshahi Old Town is critically analysed, in order to
identify the component contributing to its unique spatial pattern
and to formulate (optional) a development guideline with in the
contemporary context, the study encompasses on the analysis,
identification and documentation of the spatial pattern in
the old town milieu. The study also identifiesthe traditional spatial
order in the Rajshahi Old Town and its relationship ,vith the street
and the building including open space and the building. The
objectiveof the study was to analyse and identifythe spatial pattern
of Rajshahi Old Town- that has been carefully done and a way
forward has becn included for the professionals."Identificationof a
pattern is a discovery in the sense that, it is a discovery of a
relationship betwecn context, forces and relationships in space,
which holds absolutely".
