This research is the outcome of an academic report on NEIGHBORHOOD AND ARCHITECTURE OF SYLHET URBAN AREA ’. A semester paper under the course ‘Design Studio VII’ was prepared by Group 01 of 4th year 1st Semester spring 2018 of department of architecture, Leading University. We are acknowledging our contribution. The course is guided by AR. Shawkat Jahan Chowdhury and thanks to him for guided us sincerely. We are also thankful to the house owners and the people of those neighborhoods we worked. With out their help and participation the study and complete the report was not possible.

1. Design Studio: VII
Course Code : ARCH-402
Department Of Architecture
Leading University.
A REPORT ON
NEIGHBORHOOD AND ARCHITECTURE OF SYLHET URBAN
AREA

2. Design Studio: VII
Course Code : ARCH-
402
Department Of
Architecture
Leading University.
A REPORT ON
NEIGHBORHOOD AND
ARCHITECTURE
OF SYLHET URBAN AREA : WORD-
11,12,13
Submitted By,
ID-1512010006
1512040011
1512040016
1512040017
1512040021
Submitted
To
AR. Shawkat Jahan
Chowdhury
The Head
Department Of
Architecture
Leading University.
Group:
01

3. Sylhet region has its own remoteness due to geo-physical property. Sylhet city has evolved
through a long tradition of organically developed settlement pattern, mostly influenced by
the geo-physical setting rather than artifacts those are manufactured by outcast invasion.
Local culture and the way of life had always been a unique modifier to absorb or adapt that is
new, in its folds. It is through this process of change and adjustments the urban areas remain
relevant and useful in a contemporary setting* . Each community produces its own
architectural forms and techniques, evolved to meet the challenges of a unique set of
conditions*.Thus Sylhet has its own traditional urban fabric with specific types of vernacular
architecture. Similar climatic and social characteristics bring them together to create
indigenous house form or dwelling unit. Bangla Batton is a dialect term used in Sylhet city
mostly.This type of built form- wooden frame structure with locally available material is one
of the oldest house forms of this region.This Bangla Batton has architectural significance as
an urban vernacular archetype which is modified from indigenous primitive house with a
mixture of Assamese house type and later adaptation has taken from colonial architecture.
But present day unplanned urban development, adverse technological development and high
density of population restricts the continuity of organic urban pattern including its vernacular
architecture like Bangla Batton .The objective of this research is to intervene this housing
style to look for the ethnicity and origin, documentation, finding out key determinant behind
shaping this style. Some issues for survival of these threatened built forms are also discussed
Introduction

4. The name of Sylhet is the anglicized form of the ancient Indo-Aryan term Srihatta. “Sri” means
beautiful and “Hatta” means Marker place.
In 1303, the Sufi Muslim leader Shah Jalal conquered Sylhet by defeating the local Hindu Raja
and Sylhet became a mint town of the Bengal Sultanate. But the region got its urban
development after the Mughal invasion in 1612, particularly in infrastructure like road network,
culvert and watch tower. In 1765 the East India Company acquired the Diwani and Sylhet
immediately came under their rule.
1781 caused flood and a few movements fall out after that flood and that’s why Many people
people leave Sylhet and settled in London. Sylhet Municipality was established in 1878. A
devastating earthquake demolished almost the entire town on 12 June 1897.
Assam and Sylhet were part of Assam during British rule. Later, Assam and Sylhet became
separate when India and Pakistan formed separate countries. In 1947 Sylhet came under
Pakistan rule by voting of local people.
Finally, By the liberation was of 1971 Sylhet has become a important part of Bangladesh.
History:

5. Urban is a large human settlement. An Urban generally have extensive
systems for housing, transportation, sanitation, utilities, land use,
and communication. Their density facilitates interaction between people,
government organizations and businesses, sometimes benefiting different
the process.
Urban:
Types of Urban
Area:
Three types of spaces in a urban area,
1. Industrial Area
2. Commercial Area
3. Residential Area
Characteristics of Sylhet
Urban Area:
 Unfathomed land
 Poor industrial area
 Narrow roads
 Natural hilly cannel
 Half dead ports besides Surma river
 Neighborhood communications

6. General Characteristics of a
Neighborhood:1. The architectural style of the homes that stand out such as roof lines, porches,
size and shape, building materials, windows are all part of what makes each
neighborhood unique. Often, the era or economic periods in which the construction of
homes took place is the driving force in the architecture.
2. Neighborhoods have attractions or services that are part of the fabric. The
residents in their day-to-day life use these attributes. For example, schools, parks,
local business, hospitals, religious facilities and shopping areas could all be included,
but not necessarily all.
3. Neighborhoods have connectors such as sidewalks, backyards, parks, and other
connectors that lend themselves to interaction with others. Sidewalks in suburban
neighborhoods may not exist, yet the traffic patterns and street design allow for
walking, playing and cyclists in relative safety. As people interact, they make new
friends, watch each other’s property, play and exercise together. Some neighborhoods
have annual block parties. Neighborhoods are often the source of lifelong friends.
4. Residents in neighborhoods are all unique. Some are gregarious and are always
looking to meet people and others soundless and prefer to stay by themselves.
5. Community neighbors keep an eye on happenings in the local government. As an
Neighborhood
Researchers have not agreed on an exact definition but generally we can say that,
A neighborhood is a geographically localized community within a larger city, town,
suburb or rural area. Neighborhoods are often social communities with considerable
face-to-face interaction among members.

7. General Characteristics of a
Neighborhood:
The architectural s
Attractions or servi
Connectors
Community Area

8. Neighborhood Communications in
Sylhet:Sylhet city built up with a lot of neighborhoods such as Niloy abasik, Kuyar par,
Cayatoru, Monipuri, Dorzi para, Mojumdar para etc. As a result of quick expanding
of city, poor practics of urban planning and Lack of maintenance Sylhet city lost a
large number of neighborhoods and a few number of neighborhood can keep its
purity.
Niloy Abasik
Kuyar Par,
Cayatru
Nasirabad, Bil
Par

9. Google earth location
mShahjalal (Rh)
Majar Road
Niloy Abasik
Bondor to
Amborkhana
roadChowhatta Point
mCannel
Niloy Abasik
Ward -17

10. Hilly Area
Pond
Field
Site Surroundings

11. Site plan
m
Selected
HousesExisting Houses
Road
Cannel

12. Cannel
w
Bazar
About 60-70 years ago
Pond

13. Niloy-20
Niloy-23
Niloy-25
Niloy-29
Niloy-41
Niloy-43
Niloy-45
Niloy-49Niloy-53
Niloy-58
12’ wide road
HILL
Current situation

14. 12’ wide road Entry
Inner road of niloy abashik Chowhatta to Bandor bazar

15. Play ground
Drainage
Play ground
Drainage

16. About Neighborhood of
Niloy Abashik
-Their neighborhood relationship is good.
-The maximum living people is the owner of their houses.
- They live in this area by Genealogy.
-There also have a field to play , and they also have a
football team name FC NILOY.
-They attend together in functions.
-They also have a tea stall. This also meeting place for the
old and young people.
- There Communal Harmony in this community.
- There also situated a Mosque.

17. Niloy-20
Construction period-
1942
Owner- Bashirul haq
chawdhury
Findings
 Tow separate zone.
-Public zone
- Private zone
 Courtyard
 Breeding hen.

20. Ground Floor Plan

21. First Floor Plan
Elevation

22. Niloy 25
Construction Year:
1970
Owner: Abul Kalam
Findings
 No Boundary Wall.
 Single family house.
 Direct connection with road.

23. Plan
Elevatio
n

25. Niloy 29
Construction Year:
1965
Owner: Ojanta
Cokrobortee
Findings
 A big yard in front of the
house .
 This house in rent.
 The open space doesn’t
working for communicate
now.

26. Plan
Elevatio
n

28. Niloy 45
Construction Year:
1912
Owner: Ataur Rahman
Findings
 Low height boundary wall.
 Single family house.
 A small yard available.

29. Plan
Plan
Elevatio
n

32. Niloy 41
Construction Year: 1967
Owner: Sirajul Islam
Findings
 A little yard in front of the
house .
 This house extended few
years ago.
 There also a small garden
and family outdoor space
available.
 This is a joint family house.

33. Plan
Elevatio
n

35. Niloy 53
Construction Year:
1975
Owner: Foysal Ahmed
Findings
 A little yard in front of the
house .
 Joint family
 Extended few years ago

36. Plan
Elevatio
n

38. Kuar par
Google earth location
Kuar par area
Lama bazar
V.I.P road
Kuar par point
Kuar par road
Ward-

39. Pond
Fild
Site Surroundings
Void area

40. Site plan
Selected
HousesExisting Houses
Lama bazar
V.I.P road
Road

41. Lamabazar
road
Entry

42. 15’ Wide Inner Road

43. Mosque

44. About Neighborhood of
Kuarpar
-Their neighborhood relationship is poor.
-The maximum living people tenant of this houses.
- Between Tow or three houses there is a open space, can say
communicating space .
-They also have a tea stall. This also meeting place for the old
and young people.
- There Communal Harmony in this community.
- There also situated tow Mosque.
- 40 to 50 years ago, There were a few houses in the
neighborhood
- A large number of Construction and Architecture were build
in this contemporary period.

45. Kuyar Par 131
Kuyar Par 130
Kuyar Par 128
Latif MonzilSayed MonzilKuyar Par 11Kuyar Par 12
Foridabad
Current
situation

46. Lotif
Monzil
•House: Latif Monzil
•Owner: MD. Abdul Latif Sardar
•Address: 04 Kuyar Par, VIP
Road, Sylhet.
•Established: 1960
•Site Area: 8 Decimal
Findings
 A little yard in front of the
house .
 They house holder are
rented .
 There also a small garden
and family outdoor space
available.
 This is a joint family house.
 “L” shape form.

47. Plan

49. Three house in a raw. Joint family lived here long years ago.
Now these are rented house.

50. Sayed Mozil
•House: Sayed Monzil
•Owner: Sayed SowkotAli
•Address: 08 Kuyar Par,
Sylhet.
•Established: 1948
Findings
 A big courtyard in front of the
house .
 They house holder are rented .
 No boundary .

51. Plan
Elevatio
n

53. : 127 Kuyar
Par
•House: Kuyar Par 07
•Owner: BelalAli
•Address: 07 Kuyar Par, Sylhet.
•Established: 1949
•SiteArea: 6 Decimal
Findings
 A big courtyard in front of the
house .
 They house holder are rented .
 No boundary .

55. Plan
Elevatio
n

56. Kuyar Par 12
•House: Kuyar Par 12
•Owner: Abdus Samad
•Address: 12 Kuyar Par,
Sylhet.
•Established: 1948
•Site Area: 8 Decimal
Findings
 A big courtyard in front of
the house .
 They house holder are
rented .
 No boundary .

58. Plan
Elevatio
n

59. Kuyar Par 131
•Owner: Brigadier Abdul Malek
•Address: 131 Kuyar Par,Sylhet.
•Established: 1965
•Site Area: Decimal
Findings
 A small courtyard in front of
the house .
 They house holder are rented
 Low height boundary wall.

60. Plan
Elevatio
n

62. Kuyar Par 130
•House:
•Owner: Salma Masud
•Address: 130 Kuyar Par,Sylhet.
•Established: 1965
•Site Area: 6 Decimal
Findings
 A small courtyard in front of
the house .
 They house holder are rented
 Low height boundary wall.

63. Plan
Elevatio
n

65. Findings
 A small courtyard in front of
the house .
 No house holder .
 No boundary wall.
 Use purpose was meeting hall.
•Owner: Salma Begum
•Address: 13 Kuyar Par,Sylhet.
•Established: 1930
•Site Area: 9 Decimal
13 Kuyar
Par

66. Plan

68. •Owner: Freedom Fighter Dewan Ferdaus
Chy.
•Address: 128 Kuyar Par,Sylhet.
•Established: 1932
128 Kuyar
Par
Findings
 A big courtyard in front of the
house .
 The ancestor of Hason Raja live
here.
 No boundary wall.

69. Plan

71. •Owner:Akter Hossen
•Address: 34 Kuyar Par,Sylhet.
•Established: 1800
34 Kuyar
Par
Findings
 It is demolished house .
 Oldest house in this area.
 Total house built by brick work..

73. Plan

74. Extended Part
Build in 1950
Findings
 A small courtyard in front of
the house .
 The house is rented.
 No boundary wall.

75. Plan

77. Faridabad
•Owner: Sweet Miah
•Address:VIP Road, Kuyar Par, Sylhet.
•Established: 1940
•Site Area: 10 Decimal
Findings
 A small yard in front of the house .
 Rentable shop in front of this
house.
 Ornamented house in exterior.

79. Nasirabad Abashik
Bilpar Road
V.I.P ROAD
Pond
Tample
Google earth location
Ward-

80. Site Plan
Nasirabad Abashik
Bilpar Road
V.I.P Road
Pond
Temple

81. Nasirabad 31
Nasirabad 33
GATE
Pond
Nasirabad 34
Tample

82. About Neighborhood of
Bilpar
-Their neighborhood relationship is Good.
-This area civilized centered by temple and bill .
- At present situation bill is going to be earth filled .

85. Sri Sri Mohapravu Jeu Temple

86. Plan of
temple
Findings
 Semi Out Door Space
 Tin Shaded
 Well circulated

89. •Owner: Dr.A.S.B Halder
•Address: 31 Nasirabad BilPar, Sylhet.
•Established: 1932
Findings
 A small courtyard in front of the
house .
 The house is rented.
 Semi Demolished

90. Plan of 31

92. Halder’s Lodge
•Owner: Dr.A.S.B Halder
•Address: 33 Nasirabad BilPar, Sylhet.
•Established: 1932
Findings
 A small courtyard in front of the
house .
 The house is rented.
 Heighted Plinth Level.

93. Plan of 33

95. •Owner: FarhadAhmed
•Address: 34 Nasirabad BilPar, Sylhet.
•Established: 1930
Findings
 A small courtyard in front of the
house .
 The house is rented.
 Semi Demolished

96. Plan of 34

98. This research is the outcome of an academic report on NEIGHBORHOOD AND
ARCHITECTURE OF SYLHET URBAN AREA ’. A semester paper under the course ‘Design
‘Design StudioVII’ was prepared by Group 01 of 4th year 1st Semester spring 2018 of
department of architecture, Leading University.We are acknowledging our contribution.
The course is guided by AR. Shawkat Jahan Chowdhury and thanks to him for guided us
sincerely.We are also thankful to the house owners and the people of those neighborhoods
we worked. With out their help and participation the study and complete the report was not
possible.
Acknowledgement
s