Politics as manifested spatially in the morphology of post-colonial Dhaka with a focus on Ramna area

Abstract

Political, economic and social circumstances influences the evolution and transformation of a city. It outlines governance policies, which sequentially figures the organization of the cities. According to scholars architecture and physical planning is Politics, which is an idea of impressing upon mankind by means of magnificence of its manifestation in built form. In this way, political approach of the rulers, their power play or social norms in a particular time frame had been manifested in the ,urban form. Most studies of urban form have focused on specific architectural types or on the layout of cities. What tangible or intangible forces or contexts have played a role in some form, so far it is known are seldom studied in Bangladesh. Considering this fact, this study explores the relationship between spatial development and politics on the urban morphology of a city [post-colonial Dhaka] following the Phenomenological Research Method. To understand this phenomena in global context, case studies of different countries were reviewed. Further it explores the local cases by reviewing the literature and physical observation in different places of Dhaka and to investigate what roles politics played in the morphological changes from ancient period till to date. It may be mentioned here that the establishment of Dhaka as a capital city during the Mughals was a political decision. During the Mughals and the English rule, they followed their norms. After 1947 the Second Capital Complex as well as other neighborhoods are of no exceptions. After 1971 the developments of Chandrima Uddyan, Bangabandhu International Conference Center, Dhanmondi Lakefront Development, Hatirjheel development are a few examples that reflects the prevailing political discourse and provides relevance of this study. To test this fact, Ramna is selected as the study area and the main focus of the research. The Ramna area is divided into three distinctive zones [Core, Buffer and the Peripheral Zone] for further study and thirty seven [37] samples were identified to prove the point. It is observed that power or politics plays its role in both positive and negative ways. The creation of a 'cultural corridor' and the development of 'Ramna Park' is of course positive. Allocation of land for ~1Jplic use is also positive use. Misuse of power by powerful is observed as illegal land occupation, transfer or misappropriation. Politics is manifested spatially in " Ramna in two ways as 'Power Politics' and 'Power Play' respectively. This 'Power Politics' is manifested in case studies as IEB, RHD, Shishu Park, Kala'ail Mosque, AEC, Chummery House etc. Other way 'Power Play' is manifested in Dhaka Club, Hotel Intercontinental, Bangladesh Tennis Federation, Ramna Kalibari Mandir, Suhrawardy Uddyan, Shishu Academy, Teacher-Student 'Centre, Central Shahid Minar, Shikh Temple, Independence Tower etc. This study analyzes and synthesizes the spatial manifestation of politics which shaped the urban layout and the morphology of post-colonial Dhaka in general. In doing so it critically looks how politics played its role in the spatial development of Ramna area since 1947 as the case.