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ADAPTABLE HOUSING TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE LIVING, AN INCREMENTAL

HOUSING SOLUTION FOR DUARIPARA, DHAKA

Conference Paper · February 2018

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 ADAPTABLE HOUSING TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE LIVING: AN
INCREMENTAL HOUSING SOLUTION FOR DUARIPARA, DHAKA
Rubayet Ferdous1, Mostasim Billah 1, Irfan Iqbal1, and Tanmay Hassan1
1
Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch), North South University, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh, e-mail:
rubayet.ferdous@outlook.com

Abstract
Duaripara is old and one of the biggest low-cost housing area, also known as slum settlement
located in the north-west part (under Mirpur Thana) of Dhaka city, capital of Bangladesh.
The present living situation of this settlement suffers from the congestion of residents,
unorganized planning condition, inadequate accommodation, limited access to basic
utilities, safe water and sanitation, lack of proper waste management system, less green and
vegetation and finally bad air quality. The goal of this research is to design and develop an
Incremental housing environment and guide the housing society to become more
sustainable. This paper not only discusses the current living condition of Duaripara, but also
gives a brief explanation of existing development process or urban growth of the whole
housing area of duaripara. The research is divided into two segments, first is the data analysis
from the verbal investigation of the dwellers and owners and visual observation of the
housing area. The second part of research discusses the result of the data analysis and
introducing the idea of a new adaptable, affordable and sustainable housing design and
development, also explaining the future development scenario of Duaripara.
Keywords: Sustainable living, Adaptable housing, Incremental housing, Slum settlement,
Duaripara.

1. Introduction

Duaripara located in Mirpur, Dhaka is a housing area for people with low income also known
as slum settlement. It is one of the most well-known low cost settlement of Dhaka city and
has been developed on the government-owned property. Adjoining to this particular research
location presently there are a few slum settlements that made duaripara one of the largest
concentrations of this sort, especially in this region. Caretaker of the area confirm the total
number of population is around 15000 [1]. The present living condition of Duaripara lacks
basic necessary housing facilities and utilities. Lack of proper dwelling and lack of healthy
environment made Duaripara a terrible place to reside. Unorganized housing development
is the main reason behind the poor condition of Duaripara.

The region where the focus of the slum is between the maximum within just a few miles of
range. One particular factor for such density is the advancement of garment industries in and
around Mirpur. This is precisely why a large number of the residents of this place are being
employed in garment factories [1]. Considering all the problems, the whole Duaripara needs
to be developed especially the housing area. Designing and developing an adaptable and
incremental housing environment and guiding the housing society to become more
sustainable will make the area more livable.
Adaptable housing is a housing which can be altered in the future along with the
requirements and adjustments modifying to the inhabitants residing in it where men and
women of all age groups can easily live easily and comfortably for a long or short time
period [2]. In the context of Duaripara, adaptable housing means that people will be able to
access the utilities and services and stay in a modular space with all the basic necessary
element a person needs. These modular space can later be increased in size and area with
the need of the residents. This type of housing is a little recognized design solution, seems
to be one remedy for numerous problems. Adaptable housing keeps the assurance for far
more generally and universally usable dwelling in the future at very little or no additional
expenses [3].

According to Basulto, In fast developing countries like Bangladesh architects and planners
can perform something much better than simply building or making, creating and
establishing strategies, technique along with communities to accomplish housing solutions
which will not simply tackle current necessities, but which may also be prolonged over time
as households and families develop and grow, once again by on their own and without
having designers [4]. The mixture of the adaptable housing and incremental housing will
develop the area for better living condition fixing all the major problem that exists in this
area.

2. Methodology
The paper is divided into two parts. One is the analysis of the present situation of duaripara
and second part is the solution. A site is chosen consisting 1st four lanes of duaripara in order
to conduct the whole analysis and result, a smaller prototype area. Analysis of the present
duaripara is done in two different procedure. A subject analysis was conducted in order to
know the housing and other facilities which consist intensive visual observation of each lane
and depth interview and survey of the people residing and other people who are involved or
own land in duaripara. Lastly, a secondary analysis was done on the initiative and proposed
development by the government and other organization.

3. Existing Situation of Duaripara based on Analysis

Duaripara is located near Eastern Pallabi, Eastern housing and Wasa colony and the
marketplace which exist along the main street of Duaripara slum. Currently, the most active
place is the market where people for all over Mirpur come to shop for groceries. Also, there
are many small shops and tea stall exist on the chose site of duaripara. To understand the
situation an interview with each resident and owners in the chosen site was conducted which
consist jobs, income, living situation, land ownership, local amenities etc.
 Fig. 1: Map of Duaripara

3.1. Land Ownership and Public Functions

The land where Duaripara exists is a land own by the government but the land use became
complicated when there is a question of renting and living. The land is captured by various
organization and people who sold this land to other people on a verbal agreement. Then this
person builds temporary houses and give tax to the parties who sold the land. The latest
landowners give rent to people thus earning a huge amount of money from rent.

Fig. 2: Ownership Pattern

While this complicated ownership trend continues there are some public functions of
government and other private owners exist in this area. Main public functions are Mosques,
Schools, Community centers, and others. There aren’t any proper playground and proper
medical facilities in duaripara, thus social and health problem is an alarming issue in this
area.
 Tab. 1: Public Functions of Duaripara

Functions Number
Mosque 4

School 6

Graveyard 1

College 2

Community School 3

Market 1

Hospital 0

Clinic 2(1Dental)

Community Hall 0

Playground 0

Source: Field Survey,

3.2. Occupation, Income, and Expenses

After interviewing about occupation and other living situation each house in the selected
site, it is clear that people live that have a very low income and their living condition is
very poor. Most of the male workers are rickshaw pullers and day labor, on the other hand,
most of the female workers are engaged in garments industry. Very few landowners live
here and those who do have a bigger home than others. Almost everyone has the same
expenses regarding utilities and services. According to Nahiduzzaman, Numerous
productive working opportunities are normally found within this particular slum which is
mainly in garment industries, rickshaw pulling, building construction industries as day
labor, household as servant, company, informal business, begging and many more [1].
Tab. 2: Public Functions of Duaripara
Occupation Male Female Income Expenses Education
Rent+Utilities Garbage
Garment Worker 6% 18% 5000-8000 1500-2000 20 Class 5-8
Rickshaw Puller 14% 0 9000 1500-2000 20 no
Day Labor 16% 12% 5000-7000 1500-2000 20 no
Serviceman(Retired) 2% 1500-2000 20 School
Army Personel 0.33% 12000 20 School
Business 6% 1% 10000 1500-2000 20
House Owner 5% 4% 15000 0 20
Land Owner 0.33% 25000 0 20
CNG driver 8% 6000-9000 1500-2000 20
Shop Owner 3% 700 1500-2000 20
Beggar 3% 2% 2000-4000 1500
Source: Field Survey, n=100

3.3. Housing and surrounding situation

There are four types of house in the selected site, each has almost similar characteristics.
Every house type is one story and built with very weak and low-cost housing materials,
mainly bamboos and corrugated sheets. Each has 7-9 rooms consisting a family in each
room. As the rent of room is high compared with the income of people living there, a family
can only afford to rent one room. Each house with 7-9 families shares common facilities like
kitchen and toilet. Lack of proper security and healthy sanitation are the two problems that
residents living in the houses face. Also, lack of proper daylight turned the atmosphere inside
these types of houses very unhealthy, thus people suffer from various diseases.

Fig. 3: Houses of Duaripara.

This four types of houses have very narrow corridor used as a courtyard, about two and a
half meters or less. The toilets are located near the narrow street for better drainage and there
is one kitchen without proper gas connection and storing facilities. Each room in dwelling
about nine square meters. The flooring material is these types are cement and concrete but
not maintained properly.

Fig. 4: House types in the selected site

The selected site area has total ninety houses with 2790 people residing. Each lane has
adjacent plots on each side making the selected site densely populated area.
 Tab. 3: Houses and Population
No. of houses Population
Lane 1 28 870
Lane 2 26 780
Lane 3 24 720
Lane 4 12 420

Source: Field Survey,

Narrow lanes of duaripara are almost three meters wide and are made of clay. The main road
along the market is about ten meters. As the narrow lane are not properly built, it becomes
almost impossible to walk during the rainy season. Also, the whole duaripara area lacks
green area as there are a few number of trees and current planning does not encourage people
to plant trees.

4. Designing Duaripara
Population in Duaripara is dense and people are suffering every day to meet their basic
needs. This area lacks sustainable environment as well as the livable environment. As
mentioned before for betterment of the living condition and to achieve sustainability in every
way possible, a development is needed in housing, urban and planning sector. People
residing there need better health, better sanitation, and better atmosphere. Adaptable housing
development is one of the answers because it will not only improve better living condition
but will help to achieve sustainability.

Fig. 5: Proposed Development Hierarchy

One of the famous ideology of architect Charles Correa is, cities need to be developed
implementing a spatial structure that varies from the personal world of a particular persons
house, via the ‘front door’, to the public space, to the higher local community space [6].

Adapting to the current economic and social condition, development should take place in
different steps which will start with the smallest unit and that is an individual house.
Reducing the number of families living in one house, improving sanitation, and better waste
management will improve dwelling situation and it will be the first step of development.
Then combining each house together and making a social cluster is the next step of
development. Planning in such a way that each house will have proper daylight, proper
access, and healthy surrounding environment and houses together will make a cluster with
all the above qualities. Clusters together combined will create a region that will have a
sustainable environment. With proper open space for green, vegetation, and playing area the
whole housing region will become livelier. Merging with the existing market to serve as a
whole will be the final step of development.

4.1. Units

Smallest and most important development phase is designing and building an individual
house. This proposed housing units are inspired by Elementar by Alejandro Aravena, in
which the actual design is centered on the levels of performance over bordered communities,
by means of the corporation of housing initiatives that plan an understanding over time
taking into consideration that housing not simply as a habitat but as a method for the
household and family investment [5].

The proposed design has two types of housing units and each type will have the similar
ground floor. The idea is a family or individual can rent a single room and if they need extra
the landowner/ house owner can provide an extra room with the rent which can be later
merged into a single bigger family room. Reducing the number of families in the house was
necessary in order to distribute the service properly.

The ground floor of each type consists one kitchen, one bath, and one toilet. Also, there is a
yard with the entry to the house, which will be used for vegetation and collecting bio and
other waste. The typology will be different on the second floor through each type has a
balcony which can later be turned into a room if required. Type A has two room together
separating them by a single wall and type B have a staircase in the middle of the two rooms.

Fig. 6: Unit Typologies

The building materials will be cost effective and easier to build. The roof will be corrugated
tin sheets and for insulation, Styrofoam will be used. Integrated brick blocks and folding
windows will be the boundary and thin slab with a plug-in beam with minimum
reinforcement will be the structural material of each unit. Windows open will work as sun
shed and the fold will be up warded. The door and windows will be wooden and metal grill
on window opening will be used in order to increase security.

Fig. 6: Details of a house.

4.2. Cluster

Houses are organized in such a way that a cluster will enjoy a healthy surrounding as well
as a good living environment. Five houses make a small cluster with a common green area
and two small cluster face to face will make a medium-size cluster. Combining this 10 house
clusters together make a big cluster serving half of the chosen site. Each cluster is connected
with pave which have no vehicular access, only cycle and pedestrian. Within these
pavements there will be pockets of green space for community gardening and boundaries of
a bigger cluster will have playgrounds and gathering space. Through the concept of 3
different types of clusters, community gardening, and playground, social interaction will
increase, thus people will learn to sustain with one another in ones need and joy.
 Fig. 7: Details of a house.

4.3. Region

Two or more big cluster combined will create a housing region and will be merged with the
existing environment and functions. Each cluster will have 88 houses, 352 rooms, and place
for maximum 1,200 people to live in. In the new proposed design, selected site will have
almost 3000 people living in the housing units. Selected site will consist a few number of
playgrounds, schools and small clinics along the main road.

Fig. 8: Planning of the selected site

4.4. Master Plan

After the development of the selected site, the whole duaripara can be developed in the
similar concept of units, clusters, and regions. The final development will not only consist
housing but an improve marketplace, two secondary schools for the whole region, two
mosques, one rickshaw stand and one shopping complex for locals of duaripara and
surroundings. The whole area will have no access to vehicles except the main road along the
market place. This development can be further extend in the neighboring slum settlement
and make the whole are more livable and sustainable.

Fig. 9: Planning of Duaripara.

4.5. Waste Management

Each house will be provided with two garbage disposal units, one is for the biodegradable
waste and another is a mixed waste. This waste will be collected by the corporation and later
the bio waste will be used in vegetation. Each family will be given a half meter by half mete
square block for vegetation where the bio waste will be used as fertilizer to grow plants and
vegetables as their likings.

5. Conclusion
The proposed housing development will improve the problems which this settlement
currently suffers from. Improvement will take place in living condition, sanitation, utilities,
surrounding environment, and finally through this development sustainable living can be
achieved. The development will introduce the idea of a new adaptable, affordable and
sustainable housing design and development which will be beneficial not only for duaripara
but also for other low cost housing settlements.
 6. Reference

[1] Nahiduzzaman, K. (2006). Housing the Urban Poor: Planning, Business and Politics: A Case Study
of Duaripara Slum, Dhaka city, Bangladesh. pp.52-57.
[2] Planning.act.gov.au. (2018). ADAPTABLE HOUSING REQUIREMENTS FOR MULTI UNIT
DEVELOPMENTS. [online] Available at:
https://www.planning.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/1096922/Adaptable-housing-
requirements-for-multi-unit-developments.pdf [Accessed 21 Jan. 2018].

[3] Bostrom, J., Mace, R. and Long, M. (1994). Adaptable Housing: A Technical Manual for
Implementing Adaptable Dwelling Unit Specifications. North Carloina: DIANE Publishing, p.1.

[4] Basulto, D. (2009). Incremental Housing Strategy in India / Filipe Balestra & Sara Göransson.
[online] ArchDaily. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/21465/incremental-housing-strategy-
in-india-filipe-balestra-sara-goransson [Accessed 20 Jan. 2018].

[5] Neves, S. O., and M. P. Amado. (2014). "Incremental Housing as a method to the Sustainable Habitat
." 30th International PLEA . Vol. II - 1-8. Bangalore, India: Centre for Advanced Research in Building
Science and Energy (CARBSE), CEPT University, p.2.

[6] Davey, P. (2015). Belapur Housing in Navi Mumbai, India by Charles Correa. [online] Architectural
Review. Available at: https://www.architectural-review.com/rethink/belapur-housing-in-navi-
mumbai-india-by-charles-correa/8684855.article [Accessed 18 Jan. 2018].

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