Justification for the Creation of Architectural Style for Bangladesh
Abstract
One of the few items for which the citizens of a country may feel pride, is Architecture. Through trial, error, research and experiment the inhabitants of a country develop their own Architecture with the objective that they and their future generations might live in and with those in peace, pleasure and pride. It is however, possible for a country to continue its usual business without having or developing an architectural style of its own. During the colonial period, the colonial masters endeavoured to introduce their architecture in their colonies with complete disregard for the countries’ culture and climate. After the end of that era most of the countries have taken up programs to develop their own architecture.
In the contemporary world many tiny countries have been found to create their own architecture, where as mighty countries seem to have no concern for the same. For a country absence of its own style of architecture may be advantageous for others, because in such case the developed countries find conducive for exporting their architecture, architect, building materials, technology etc. If any country does not intend to develop its own architecture suited to its climatic and socio-cultural needs, then it can avoid the establishment of institution for learning Architecture.
Bangladesh stands in the geographical territory that existed with the names, Sube Bengla (during Muslim rule, 1107 – 1757 AD), Bengal (during British rule, 1757 – 1947 AD) and East Pakistan (during Pakistan regime, 1947 – 1971 AD). The territory did not get the scope for developing its own architecture during the British and Pakistan periods because of the dominance of the masters. Irrespective of their differences in race, color and religion the 200 million people speaking in a common language (Bengali) and commonly known as Bangalees have got their own distinctive type of culture. For obvious reason the Bangalees living in West Bengal, India does not have the scope of creating their own Architecture. With 3 public universities and a number of private universities for teaching Architecture, rich heritage of built-forms constructed during the Hindu, Muslim and British and Pakistani periods, proven records of victories against local and foreign oppressions in 1857, 1947, 1952 and 1971 and with other resources, the year 2009 is the high time to think whether Bangladesh should go for creating its own style of architecture or not.
References
Sarma 98: Sarma, B.B., Paper: A BRIEF STUDY OF HERITAGE ISSUES IN BANGLADESH, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO DHAKA CITY. Presented in Forum UNESCO seminar. Melbourne, Australia. October 1998. Link: universityandheritage.net/eng/seminarios/2002_VII_SIFU/doc/ PARTICIPANTS_eng.pdf.
Sarma 94: Sarma, B.B.. Paper: TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE AND ITS APPLICATION IN URBAN AREA FOCUSING ON KHULNA CITY. Published in proceedings : Report on Technical Conference on Tropical Climates. WCAP 30, World Meteorological Organization, WMO/TD-No. 647, 1994. pp 283-294. Link: www.stadtklima.de/biblio/BIBLIOGRAPHY_1996_1998.doc
Sarma 92: Sarma, B.B.. Paper: MODERN PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE VERSUS CULTURAL TRADITION : A STUDY OF CONFLICT IN BANGLADESH. Presented and published in proceedings : 13th International Congress : Planning Towards a Caring Society, Eastern Regional Organisation for Planning and Housing. Venue: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Date: September 14-18, 1992.
Note 01: Link for further information: http://www.publichousingmuseum.org/
Note 02: This project Yankari Game Reserve was submitted for Aga Khan Award in 1995. The designs may be seen in link: http://209.162.194.85/library/images/thumbnails.jsp?collection_id=&location_id=2732&place_id=&start=-44&limit=9