Description

Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park is located in one of the most important areas in Dhaka city. Surrounded by a socio-economically privileged neighborhood, this park sustains itself better than many other parks in the city. For the last 40 years, the park is naturally adorned with 1765 species of trees, creating a shaded, cool environment within. Typically, in the existing parks & playgrounds of the city, there are no comfort zones or universal accessibility for senior citizens, women, youth, children, or physically challenged people. All spaces, nooks and corners are homogenous and without identity. The proposed design aspired to reorganize the park into inclusive, appropriate spaces for diverse functions and users by retaining all existing trees.

To accommodate the diversity of users, there are technically five types of paved walkways used, Brick Pavement, Concrete Block Pavements, Soft Pavements, and wooden Plank Walkways. Every material creates a different sensation, a different sound and feel to the touch. To recharge groundwater into the soil, we have introduced permeable cement pavement for bicycle lanes. The center of the park is gifted with an existing waterbody that barely survived. The lake has been re-excavated, re-shaped and re-identified as the jewel of the neighborhood with winding walkways encircling it, viewing decks and two large sittings ‘ghats’ or decks adorning the two banks. A green amphitheater is designed with the lake as the stage backdrop.

To house more social engagement, additional functions incorporated in the park design are a small drink corner with a community library, kiosks, women's seating zone, a toddler space and toilet facilities. To promote neighborhood well-being, a small gym, a playground and an exercise yard have been introduced.

The landscape has been adorned with local trees and flora for the existing greenery of the park.