The urban fabric of Ahmedabad, India has witnessed a drastic structural change following its post-industrial decline. Shifting from salaried factory employment to casual and informal home-based labour. Consequently, environments originally designed for an only single domestic purpose were forced to take in economic activities, resulting in spatial conflation, spatial stress by overcrowding and inescapable visual confrontation with the labour. Addressing this reality, this graduation project researches how housing typologies in the Calico Mills can be designed as a dual use environment that supports home-based work without jeopardizing domestic wellbeing. The project reframes privacy not as a strict barrier but as a transitional zoning system of private, semi-public and shared spaces.

Using a context sensitive, mixed approach, the research utilizes ethnographic fieldwork, multi scalar architectural cataloging and case studies to develop a design proposal. Rejecting complete tabula rasa redevelopment, the project adopts site specific interventions to preserve existing urban familiarity and daily routines. ... Read more

Despite India’s rapid economic growth, urbanization has paradoxically reinforced gendered exclusion, trapping women in a cycle of forced immobility and hyper-vigilance. This dissertation addresses the critical gap in urban safety measures, which currently rely on reactive surveillance rather than proactive design. Titled Building Safety from Scratch, the research advocates for a paradigm shift where safety is embedded into the architectural DNA of housing itself.

Located on the Bimanagar site in Ahmedabad, the study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, integrating sociographic data with immersive fieldwork to map the lived reality of insecurity. The resulting design proposal offers a replicable template that is meant to encourage natural surveillance and ensure shared domesticity, along with the creation of a sense of community for the future residents. Moreover, by prioritizing the female perspective, this project demonstrates how architecture can actively dismantle spatial barriers, transforming the built environment from a source of anxiety into an infrastructure of care. ... Read more

The subject of this thesis emerges from the critical observation of the contemporary Indian landscape. The hands that build the cities have nowhere to sleep. In Ahmedabad, the skyline is in a constant vertical rise, while the people that help build it sleep in its shadows, on pavements or slums. Overall, the economic engine of the city relies on a massive migrant workforce, textile weavers, factory hands, rickshaw pullers, and construction laborers, which suffer constant housing threats. This project, titled “Grounded Growth” is an attempt to bridge the gap between the exclusionary architecture of the city and the kinetic, precarious lives of its workforce. This report represents the final thesis of the graduation project called Global Housing. It is part of the Master architecture at TuDelft. ... Read more

This graduation thesis is divided into four parts. The first part explores the existing culture, through local materials and an analysis of housing in Bangladesh. Then, it looks into which waste streams have potential for the construction industry, to then optimize existing local materials by incorporating these waste streams. Lastly, it explores how to use these optimized materials in the design of a high-density housing complex that can help address the housing crisis and be resilient to current and future climate challenges.

The thesis explores the feasibility and optimization of local materials in Bangladesh, focusing on three main categories: existing materials, raw materials, and innovative alternatives. The study places particular emphasis on the brick industry, a cornerstone of the country’s construction sector, which accounts for over 1% of global brick production and employs approximately 1.6 million people. However, this industry is also a major contributor to air pollution, topsoil depletion, and socio-economic vulnerabilities, particularly among rural cottage industries. Sustainability within affordable housing is a harder task to achieve as the people in need of affordable housing have more immediate needs. This makes it our responsibility as designers to design with social and environmental sustainability in mind, making sustainability a natural by-product instead of a separate challenge. ... Read more

Many people believe that urban children enjoy a higher quality of life than their rural counterparts. Paradoxically, impoverished urban children often face more severe living conditions and lower standards of living than rural children. Bangladesh has recently experienced rapid urbanization, with increasing numbers of families migrating from rural areas to cities. As a result, many poor urban children end up living in slums, where they are among the most vulnerable, directly affected by the harsh realities of slum life. These challenges not only impact their childhood but also limit their future opportunities as they grow older.
While many studies have addressed these problems from various perspectives, there has been little discussion about solutions, especially architectural ones. Additionally, most research has focused on Dhaka’s slums, even though cities like Sylhet face equally severe slum issues. Consequently, children in Sylhet’s slums suffer from dangerous living conditions, which have been largely overlooked.
This study prioritizes an architectural approach to solving the problems faced by urban poor children, focusing specifically on Sylhet city, to address the challenges of children living in non-capital city slums. Through the housing design research, the study aims to improve the overall well-being and living conditions of impoverished urban children, while ultimately providing better opportunities for their families. The goal of the research is to meet the need of children and create child-friendly neiborhoods through new housing design. ... Read more

Bangladesh its housing crisis is fueled by rural-urban migration. Climate change stimulated the rural-urban transition, leading to rapid urbanisation and the formation of informal settlements. Focusing on the Shonatola village at the peri-urban transition near Sylhet, this thesis proposes a research-based design strategy that is incremental, flood-resilient, and fit for the socio-cultural context of Bangladesh.

Incrementality poses one of the most promising solutions for affordable housing in the Global South. Incremental housing strategies of the past, such as sites and services, can serve as lessons on their design and management to inform contemporary models that allow for new, scalable site-specific interventions. The key factors for a successful strategy rely on the security of tenure, qualitative urban design, a base scenario with proper infrastructure, foundations, and load-bearing elements, as well as a final-growth scenario that allows for a middle-class DNA. Furthermore, bottom-up, community-organised, participatory processes should be matched with top-down, citywide planning.

Combining architectural design, urban planning, and water management, the proposal unifies these principles into a scalable, participatory model for affordable housing. Through an extensive literature research, case study analysis, ethnographic research, and fieldwork in Bangladesh, a framework is developed to integrate construction techniques, spatial typologies, and social structures. The design proposal consists of a phased masterplan, flood-adaptive building typologies, and a community land trust-based management strategy. ... Read more

As Sylhet, Bangladesh, experiences unprecedented urban growth, the tension between rapid housing provision and cultural continuity becomes increasingly acute. This graduation project investigates how the adaptive intelligence of vernacular Sylheti architecture can be combined with modern construction techniques to create affordable, resilient, and culturally responsive housing.

Focusing on the redevelopment of the historic Hawkers Market, the project proposes a hybrid design framework that merges elevated, flood-resilient concrete structures with spatial features drawn from traditional homes, such as courtyards, verandas, and modular layouts that accommodate evolving family needs. By layering a clear hierarchy of spaces, from public commercial spines to private dwelling terraces, the proposal supports both community interaction and individual privacy.

Extensive research underpins the design, including fieldwork, climatic analysis, and case studies of contemporary housing models. Drawing on the principles of John Habraken’s open frameworks, the project challenges the rigidity of standardized construction by embedding opportunities for incremental adaptation and resident participation within a contemporary structural system.

A cross-subsidization strategy enables higher-income residential and commercial components to fund affordable housing units for low-income groups, fostering an inclusive urban fabric.

Ultimately, this project demonstrates how bridging vernacular architecture and modern construction can produce housing that is not only technically efficient and environmentally responsive but also socially rooted and capable of evolving with the lives of its residents. ... Read more

Bangladesh, a riverine country shaped by the yearly monsoon, where dense cities continue to grow as people leave the flooded rural areas in search of shelter and income.

Situated along the Surma River in Sylhet, a city in the north of Bangladesh, this project explores how to design within an unfamiliar context, with the temporality of the monsoon in mind. The site, currently an informal settlement of Hindu and Muslim communities, floods each year as water flows into their houses and daily life moves onto the streets.

Acknowledging the position of being an outsider and the generations of experience in living with the monsoon, the research took a ‘learning from’-perspective. By analysing how people build, live, and adapt to the water, these practices were mapped in detail to understand patterns and principles. This became the foundation for the design; building in clusters with shared courtyards, keeping the dwellings close to the ground floor, integrating Bangladesh-specific elements into the floorplans and making room for the monsoon in the landscape. A raised plinth protects the buildings during high water, allowing life to continue even during wet season.

Rather than relying on imported resources, the design uses local materials so that the project’s investment flows directly into the community, supporting local economies and craftsmanship. ... Read more

The quality of life and dwelling conditions of the Shonatola village community, living in a peri-urban settlement outside of Sylhet city, is under significant threat. The Shonatola villagers experience significant housing challenges, infrastructural barriers and economic insecurity due to climate-induced environmental distress and the impacts of Sylhet city’s sprawling urban development on their way of life. This research investigates how a situated participatory housing design approach can be applied to improve dwelling conditions of the Shonatola village community. This project proposes a three phase design approach to address the defined research question. Phase one addresses infrastructural upgrades to the existing community; phase two confronts a reactive approach to in-situ housing improvements to the existing village and phase three proposes a proactive design approach to densify the Shonatola settlement by expanding west, beyond the current village limits. This results in three reactive and two proactive design schemes. This project provides a systematic method for development, by offering housing solutions which promote and uplift villagers within Shonatola by improving their current living conditions and supporting their ability to keep living on the land they have lived for generations, while also addressing the need for future expansion and densification of this peri-urban site. ... Read more

In Bangladesh, like in all other countries climate change is causing significant changes to weather and climatic conditions. Bangladesh and more specifically the Sylhet region face adverse effects such as tidal flooding and riverbank erosion among other natural disasters. Besides endangering communities, these natural disasters destroy agricultural lands and infrastructure important to the continuation and advancement of a community.
Another growing phenomenon in Bangladesh is migration as a form of resilience. Bangladeshis in flood-prone areas practice climate-induced micro-migration to deal with the situation (Mustari &
Karim, 2017). This project looks to the indigenous communities in Bangladesh and other wet land areas to find solutions to the problem. Research has shown that indigenous adaptation techniques and
knowledge practices have been used by indigenous communities in Bangladesh and other regions to mitigate the effects of climate change and stressful environmental conditions (Amin, Asaduzzaman,
Kabir, Snigdha, & Hossain, 2021).
The objective of this research is to design a housing solution that responds to flooding in the Sylhet metropolitan area. For this reason, it is important to study the effects of flooding on the target group
as well as their homes, the migratory patterns of the displaced people and the indigenous strategies and technologies that may be used to mitigate these effects.
This research is imperative to the livelihood and sustainability of communities in the low-lying areas of Sylhet and to the new methodology of technology where indigenous wisdom is seen as a necessary technology rather than primitive techniques. The research will aim to answer the question “How can indigenous and traditional knowledge systems inform resilient housing solutions that support micro-migration as a climate adaptation strategy in Bangladesh?” ... Read more

Floods are part of Sylhetis’ daily lives and profoundly influence their lifestyle and overall well-being. Within this context, it is noted in this study that one of the main problems people encounter in the Haors is that: Despite local adaptation strategies to cope with flash floods, the scarcity of space remains a limitation to cultivating crops essential for a balanced diet. This situation prompts the following question: How can we improve food security and dietary diversity while ensuring adequate housing conditions for the local population? To address this inquiry, extensive examination of case studies, scholarly research papers, and field observations has been conducted. Subsequently, an architectural design for a new settlement in the Haor region has been proposed. Prior to this, the agricultural practices and adaptive strategies employed to manage flood conditions are thoroughly analyzed.
In the subsequent section of this paper, careful considerations are made regarding the selection of suitable vegetables and fruits, as well as the size of food storage facilities to be integrated into the settlement design.
In conclusion, it is evident that given the constraints of population density and limited spatial resources within the new settlement, agricultural spaces can produce enough rice for seven days of flash floods, enough vegetables for 12 days in the year, and enough fruits for 20 weeks.
... Read more

The Surma River in Bangladesh sustains the livelihoods of millions residing along its banks and serves as a vital resource for activities such as fishing and bathing. Since the water quality of the river is negatively impacted by multiple factors including waste disposal, these practices are not safe for people to continue.
Seeing as the Tanguar Haor sits in the floodplain of the Surma river and, the river is polluted with waste and plastic from cities and villages along the riverbanks, the trash that is discarded into the Surma can eventually end up in the Tanguar Haor and pollute the water and soil.
The Tanguar Haor is a wetland located in the Sunamganj district, west of Sylhet, and is very low lying land. Due to the low lying nature of the haor it is inundated for around 7 to 8 months a year. It is highly affected by rainfall and floods since it lies at the foot of the Meghalaya mountains. When heavy rains occur upstream or in the catchment areas of these rivers, the water flows downstream into the delta, causing rivers to overflow their banks.
The land’s lack of elevation makes it difficult for floodwaters to recede quickly, leading to prolonged inundation.

This graduation project tackles living in the ever changing wetlands of Bangladesh. A project about flood resilience and circularity and the intersectionality of several problems they face: lack of sanitation, waste and water pollution and frequent flooding.
The design proposal takes the strengths of the current settlement and way of living and turns them into a more liveable, circular and flood resilient village. ... Read more

This graduation report presents the reserach and design for a rural settlement system in the Haor region of Bangladesh. This area exists of a unique ecosystem, that is vulnerable to frequent and long lasting flooding. The primary objective of this project is to create a safe and sustainable rural community that can provide residents with a rural place to stay. While also mitigating the effects of rapid urbanization. The rural community should gain economic opportunities for its residents, thereby preventing migration to urban slums and enhancing overall well-being.

The proposed settlement system consists of a network of
interconnected elevated islands that offer protection from floods while maintaining accessibility between them. Each island is
equipped with spaces that can be used for healthcare and education, ensuring these essential services can still be practiced even during future higher floods. The main island will have more services such as additional schools, healthcare facilities, markets and other public buildings. Secondary islands will focus more on residential areas, while special islands will be designated for markets and tourism. The design tries to improve resilience, for example by high building plinths and land reclamation for year-round agricultural activities.

Economic opportunities are enhanced through the creation of
attractive communal spaces that encourage small businesses such as shops and tea stalls. The implementation of pro-poor tourism further enhances income generation options in the form of jobs as well as allowing residents to collectively host tourists and share the generated income. The development of community-led housing cooperatives further promotes social cohesion and economic stability, enabling even the poorest residents to participate in the community and be benefitted from it.

The report begins with an introduction to the challenges of urbanization, particularly in Bangladesh, followed by a concise contextual analysis covering ethnographic, environmental, and climatic data. An examination of the regional context and existing settlements provides insights for the design, which is then detailed from a macro to micro scale. The design process is elaborated from the regional plan to the layout of the main island, the configuration of clusters, and finally the individual units and construction details.

The results of this project include a layout of the interconnected islands on a regional scale. Which is then followed by a detailed layout of the main island with strategic placement of public facilities and residential clusters around shared courtyards. Roads are designed in a DNA-like pattern to control traffic flow and create vibrant neighborhoods with distinct public functions at key intersections. The introduction of renewable materials, such as bamboo, for construction and the establishment of resilient agricultural practices further contributes to the sustainability of the settlement.

In conclusion, this proposed settlement system addresses the challenges faced by rural communities, specific to the Haor region of Bangladesh. By incorporating economic and social initiatives into the design, the project aims to create a livible and resilient place to stay that can be used as a model for other regions worldwide facing similiar challenges. ... Read more

This thesis explores the pivotal role of women in the urban development of Sylhet, a city in the northeast of Bangladesh. It focuses on their participation in the planning and organizing a new urban project near a pond in an area characterized by diverse income levels and religious backgrounds. The central concept revolves around the formation of women-centric communities within this project. By empowering women to take the lead in establishing essential domestic functions and organizing their households, the study aims to highlight the potential for women to contribute significantly to creating cohesive and functional urban settlements. This approach addresses the immediate needs of providing shelter and essential amenities and fosters a sense of community and ownership among the inhabitants. The research underscores the importance of including women's perspectives in urban planning in Bangladesh to achieve sustainable and inclusive urban growth in Sylhet. ... Read more

Bangladesh, characterized by its flat landscape and the dynamic Ganges Delta, faces severe climate change impacts, including devastating floods that threaten livelihoods and biodiversity. Urban expansion, particularly in cities like Sylhet, exacerbates environmental degradation, leading to the loss of green spaces, water basins, and biodiversity. This project focuses on the town of Bolawara, examining the conflicts between rural ecosystems and urban growth. The research aims to develop architectural and agricultural strategies that promote the coexistence of humans and nature during the rural-to-urban transition, addressing climate resilience, biodiversity preservation, and sustainable development.

The proposed architectural project presents an approach to urban housing, focusing on adaptability, sustainability, and community integration. The design emphasizes a strong core structure with a flexible, modular exterior, enabling incremental expansion to accommodate diverse income levels and evolving family needs. A standardized system ensures uniformity, efficient space use, and compatibility across housing types, promoting a cohesive community environment. The project integrates income-generating spaces within housing units, supporting economic stability. Additionally, shared community areas and sustainable practices, such as vertical farming and comprehensive waste management, foster social interaction, environmental stewardship, and self-sufficiency. The plan ultimately aims to create a culturally rich, self-sustaining community where architecture bridges people and nature, enhancing both individual and collective well-being. ... Read more

Rapid urbanization in Sylhet, a growing second-tier city in Bangladesh, has led to significant environmental and social challenges. With a population of nearly 3 million and an area of 26.50 square kilometers, Sylhet faces increased building density, improper waste management, and inadequate public spaces. The city’s urban ponds, traditionally serving as vital communal spaces, are now threatened by rapid urban expansion. Known as the sacred capital of Bangladesh, Sylhet's urban landscape is also influenced by its major religious groups, Muslims and Hindus, whose religious spaces shape the city's fabric. This research investigates how these urban ponds can be leveraged to create inclusive urban environments, addressing both social cohesion and environmental sustainability.

One of Bangladesh's sustainable development goals is to ensure access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services for all by 2030, including upgrading slums. Given the presence of an informal settlement in the design assignment, various strategies, like slum clearance, slum upgrading and slum redevelopment, have been researched to involve the current urban poor dwellers, aiming to develop a project where different income groups can coexist.

This thesis explores how lessons from Sylhet's urban ponds can address housing inadequacies and reduce segregation in the city. It investigates the social dynamics around urban ponds and their environmental benefits. Socially, it analyzes how the current uses of these ponds affect community interactions among diverse demographic groups. Environmentally, it evaluates the role of ponds in mitigating climate change effects and their significance for urban resilience.

The design task aims to create an inclusive living environment in a densely populated area, using urban ponds as focal points to foster harmony among diverse cultural and income groups. Ultimately, this research contributes to urban planning by providing insights into the use of urban ponds to enhance social inclusion and environmental sustainability, offering a blueprint for future urban development in Sylhet and other cities in the Global South facing similar challenges.
... Read more

In recent decades, Bangladesh has been facing a rapid spread of urbanization with significant growth of its population. This phenomenon has impacted the housing situation in metropolitan regions, leading to a surge in informal housing, overcrowding, and the establishment and expansion of slums. A tangible indicator of this urban development is the escalating waste issue, far from going unnoticed given the amount dumped on riverbanks and wasteland. Solid waste has become one of the most prominent environmental problem in developing countries.The waste production increases significantly in line with the growth in consumption. Consequently, regions with higher population density generate larger volumes of garbage, necessitating appropriate infrastructure for its management. Sylhet City, in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh, is grappling with these challenges due to uncontrolled and unplanned rapid urbanization. The municipality faces difficulties in collecting and disposing of increasing amounts of waste. Difficulties have been linked to various factors, including inadequate funding, a poor community involvement, and a lack of implementation of laws. The repercussions extend to social, economic, health, and environmental dimensions, with a particularly elevated vulnerability in informal settlements.This is exemplified in the slum build on the southwest banks of the Surma River, next to the Keane Bridge in Sylhet, reflecting a broader issue faced by Bangladesh and South Asia. This project aims to gain deeper understanding of the needs of riverine communities to explore how design and infrastructure interventions can enhance living conditions on riverbanks. By integrating recycled waste as building components and focusing on circular design principles, the project seeks to propose sustainable solutions for urban development and waste management. ... Read more