Abstract of Dissertation
Study on the Spatial Structure and Process of Transformation in thePre-Mughal area of Old Dhaka through Socio-physical interactions
社会と空間の相互作用を通じた旧ダッカ市街地のプレムガール地区の都市構造の変遷に関する研究

KHAN Tariq Mahbub
ｶ-ﾝ ﾀﾘｸ ﾏﾊﾌﾞｯﾌﾞ

The historic kernel of Dhaka, commonly called ‘Old Dhaka’, retains the traditional features it
has inherited from a long history of urbanization influenced by various cultural phases,
sometimes hostile to its natural process of evolution. Local culture and the way of life had
always been a unique modifier to absorb or adapt that is new, in its folds. A series ofsuperimposed or juxtaposed layers of interventions due to these phases, sometimes beyond
recognition, when unfolded, reveal an epitome deep beneath. This epitome shows clues to ahidden order that gives a distinctive texture to indigenous settlement morphology. In order tounderstand the spatial structure of Old Dhaka or to predict its future, it is essential tounderstand the process and context of its transformation. This present research sets out toinvestigate the process of the spatial transformation of Old Dhaka through analysis andsynthesis of the socio-physical interaction.

It has been observed that, in contrast to total Dhaka city the older areas still retain theirtraditional life styles. One of the probable reasons may be the social interaction of community
with the neighbors, relatives and friends within neighborhood areas. Another significant
reason may be the physical structure of the built form as well as urban spaces of local areasthat persists the traditional qualities of articulation. Therefore, it seems imperative tounderstand the socio-spatial organization of such urban areas. Hence, the morphologicalfeatures of man made space at local level could be lawfully determined by social process withphysical intervention.

Since study of the whole of the Old Dhaka is beyond the sphere of the available time frame ofresearch. An attempt had been made to pick up an area providing scope for studying urban

structure of Old Dhaka and processes of transformation. Assuming that socio-cultural andspatial aspects of land use do not significantly differ from place to place within Old Dhaka,
the Pre-Mughal boundary, the area inside the Dholai Khal (canal), the oldest part of Old
Dhaka is chosen for this study.

The present research intended to explore the origin and development of indigenous city form
with particular emphasis on Old Dhaka through an orderly comparison of its historical, socialand morphological growth pattern. Moreover, spatial structure of historically and culturally
eminent local areas is thoroughly observed within the overall nexus of organically generated
old society. Hence, the main objective of this present research sets out to understand the urban
morphology of Old Dhaka and the forces that had acted here to produce it. Then finallyanalyze the socio-physical qualities and internal spatial structure of these areas and theirtransformation that makes the Old Dhaka vibrant and impulsive even at present.

There is a dynamic relationship between the human settlement and process of transformationand their response to each other. Like other cities with colonial influence, Old Dhaka consistsof a patchwork of different areas are layers from different periods. How to describe this kindof mosaic situation in this context is a major challenge of this study. The image of Old Dhaka
and public perception within or outside this area still continues and we have to understand thekey elements behind this. What factors produces the image and spatial essence of Old Dhaka,remains the key question.

This research simultaneously draws out the emerging of discourses discussing complex
system throughout several discipline and grounds the theoretical framework in the PreMughal area of Old Dhaka with the dynamics of the evolution and transformation of thespatial structure as main focus, with an emphasis on socio-physical interaction. The
theoretical framework and reading of the Pre-Mughal area of Old Dhaka as complex systemand grounded theory as the research approach. More specific research detects the dynamics
between socio-physical interaction and the consequent transformation of the spatial structure.

The analysis is conducted in three steps; the first step is to review and synthesize the theories
in the study of spatial and social structure of cities; the second step is to identify the evolution
and change in historical, social, cultural, political aspects in relation to the spatial structure ofDhaka; the third step is to identify the characters of the spatial structure and transformation of
the Pre-Mughal area of Old Dhaka during last one hundred years.

iiThe formation of the study has been divided into seven chapters. The initial chapter defines
the problem and background of the study followed by the research question, objective withspecific aim and description of methodology to examine the socio-spatial structure of the PreMughal area of Old Dhaka. The next three chapters mainly deal with the three broader issues
that are listed below respectively.
a. Review and synthesis of literature in the study of spatial and social structure of cities
b. The study of historical and morphological evolution of Old Dhaka as indigenous organic
development over the period of four hundred years.
c. Comparative study of the social structure and spatial formation of urban Dhaka

The second chapter reviews the thoughts and ideas present in the field of socio-spatial studyof cities. This chapter tries to focus on the existing theories and concepts of different
researchers to understand the background and possibilities of this research.

After the theoretical review and synthesis of the literature, the third chapter is considered as apreamble to the city of Dhaka. It discusses the brief history of this city and dynamics of thephysical growth and the spatial structure of Dhaka city over last four hundred years. This partof the research tries to pinpoint how the cumulative process of growth and consolidation has
influenced the spatial structure of Dhaka. This section extracts mainly on the historical,
political and morphological pattern of development that has been categorized into six major
phases and how the theoretical interpretations of organic development intermingle with thehistorical development of old city. In the fourth chapter, the social structure and spatial
formation of Dhaka over four hundred years has been discussed from a socio-culturalperspective.

The analytical finding of the empirical research is compiled here in two chapters. Amongthem chapter five discusses the dynamics of the physical growth and the spatial structure of
the Pre-Mughal area of Old Dhaka over last century with the help of available cartographic
maps at four different stages from 1859 to 2010. This part of the research has presented thefield survey findings on the spatial structure and analyzed the extent of transformation. It
finally introduces the areas which are selected from different phases of growth for the detailinvestigation to understand the socio-physical interactions.

The sixth chapter deals with the spatial structure of the selected areas in Old Dhaka. This
chapter tries to identify different physical units of this area having a distinct social as well asiii

spatial attribute; and also intends to investigate their particular relationship to one another. It
is actually a search for a morphological order of neighborhood areas within the urbanstructure. In doing so, it also tries to examine the existence of historic neighborhood within
the existing fabric. It also focuses on the social aspects associated with the perceived spatialorganization. It tries to ascertain the social structure and spatial behavior pattern of the urban
mosaic and its significance.

The last of the seven chapters tries to provide a holistic view of the study. it sets out todelineate the generalizations achieved through this research endeavor about the socio-spatialstructure of the Pre-Mughal area of Old Dhaka, and to relate them to more generalobservations about the organic city form and the continuations and changes in the spatial logicof these underlying social processes.

Thus through a systematic unfolding of the social as well as spatial structure of local areas,
this thesis tries to find the generic characteristics of the organic morphology of Old Dhaka. It
is believed that this study would create an understanding, so that urban design approaches
might take a greater influence from the phenomena created in the organic areas.

iv