An analysis of quality of the publicness
At Gulshan 2 circle, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Figure: Gulshan 2 site at a glanceGulshan 2 circle holds a lot of potential to be transformed into one of the most engaging public squares of the city. To initiate such a change, an assessment of the current publicness of the circle is done, and further recommendations are made to enhance the publicness.
Gulshan 2 circle sits at a crucial intersection of four roads. As Kevin Lynch states few city Images and the elements of it, this intersection is a node, a core that also serves as a landmark and has the ability to serve as an identity and dominant feature of Dhaka city. With so much potential it's still not a major public hub among the world, and it's only because of its extremely low publicness.
Only if its scale of publicness can be increased, such a vividly active public square can help generate more economic activities, attract tourists from around the world, and help put this public domain up on the world map, just like how Times Square is in New york. With a fitting study and design interventions to increase the publicness of this highly potential mere vehicular crossing, Gulshan 2 circle can become one the city’s most interesting places.
Methods of observing the qualities:
Taking reference from the book “How to study public life” by Gehl and Svarre, a surveillance of the site was done using the test walk, direct observation and photography tools. As a part of the group I conducted a test walk for 1 and a half hours at the Gulshan 2 circle, directly observed, interviewed passersby and documented through photography to assess the publicness scale of the given context.
Publicness scale:
The Gulshan 2 circle is currently at a low grade in the publicness scale. I have made this conclusion based on an analysis of the site according to the publicness factors which have been determined by Varna and Tiesdell in their book “Assessing the Publicness of Public Space '' . In terms of physical configuration factors Gulshan 2 circle has a promising publicness. It has a locational centrality and high connectivity within Gulshan and beyond the territories of Gulshan, as it's a transitional node for vehicular traffic.The central node and the inner roads are very clearly visually accessible.Since it's a roundabout there are no threshold and gateways causing hindrance to access.
However, in terms animation factors, this important node has a very low score on the scale of publicness:
1. Uncomfortable active engagement
- There are no activity generators for the public around the node.
- The figures above show that there are some temporary food vendors, tea stalls in the inner roads of the circle which is generating a substantial amount of active engagement. Nevertheless, arrays of cars parked decrease the accessibility and visibility of these shops, and do not allow the customers to stay and enjoy in this space for long enough.
- Along the inner roads is a kacha bazar, which is obscured by an array of parked motor vehicles, and the roads are congested with haphazard movement of vehicles and pedestrians. This engenders a poor and unsafe public space with low visibility and accessibility.
2. Unsafe environment for passive engagement:
- Currently, the central circle has a moderate amount of passive engagement going on, as I spotted a handful of people sitting at the intersections and watching the traffic while they rested for a bit.There are no dedicated seating arrangements and pedestrians are resorting to unsafe seating spaces.
- Even though there are few factors for discovery, for example the figure shows a tree in the middle of a cross section with thousands of birds, there are no designed artistic or natural elements to provide relaxing materials to watch. The overall ambience is not at all welcoming, rather it is extremely noisy, dusty and uncomfortable.
- In terms of gender and age diversity, mostly men and women from the neighboring offices were noticed, very few children were there, and children were only passing through the roads. Only Men took a stop to sit around the islands.
- There are no signages around the circle to show which road connects which area.
Recommendations:
It is imperative to take measures should be taken to increase the publicness of Gulshan 2 :
-An elevated pedestrian ring can be added to the circle
- The islands where pedestrians take a quick rest can be animated by adding plantations, water, cultural and artistic activities, designated places to sit and eat.
- The pedestrian walkways can be broadened to create more space for public activities
- Enhance safety of the public islands
- Create microclimates of interesting parklike islands in the crossing intersections.
- Provide designated parking spaces
- Provide signages
- Provide lighting for activities during night time.
Workshop led by:Md Arfar Razi
Group members: Oindriza Reza Nodi, Kazi farzan Akhter, Jahin Ahmed, Bandhan Dhar, Sania Iqbal, Mauly Rubaiyat.