Bangladesh Economic & Infrastructure Development - Updates & Discussions

[Bilal9]

In pictures: Modern architecture, modern Dhaka

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In pictures: Modern architecture, modern Dhaka

The skyline of the capital has been witnessing a transformation in recent years with the construction of numerous high-rise buildings. Dhaka, one of the most populous cities in the world, is turning into a modern megacity with this form of contemporary architecture.Dhaka Tribune's Chief...

www.dhakatribune.com

Ramna Park, Dhaka (my, how things have changed in two decades...)

 

[Bilal9]

Simpletree Thikana

 

[PoondolotoPandalum]

Not an architecture expert, but it appears brick and concrete brutalism (though done in a much more tasteful way) are some of the characteristics of modern (post 71) Bangladeshi architecture. Perhaps influenced by Louis Khan's Sangsad Bhabun?

They look really nice, non-generic, and somewhat unique. And blends in well with the local scenery.

 

[Paul2]

Not an architecture expert, but it appears brick and concrete brutalism (though done in a much more tasteful way) are some of the characteristics of modern (post 71) Bangladeshi architecture. Perhaps influenced by Louis Khan's Sangsad Bhabun?

They look really nice, non-generic, and somewhat unique. And blends in well with the local scenery.

From my experience in Dhaka, the unregulated sector looks, how to say, offensively concreety. Not only builders are not trying to cover it with something pretty, but almost throwing it into eyes.

In China, even sheds in villages are now covered with curtainwalls

 

[PoondolotoPandalum]

From my experience in Dhaka, the unregulated sector looks, how to say, offensively concreety. Not only builders are not trying to cover it with something pretty, but almost throwing it into eyes.

In China, even sheds in villages are now covered with curtainwalls

I don't think they were designed to be good-looking, like 90% of Dhaka tbh. I bet, they were not even designed by qualified architects.

If you observe the Dhaka skyline now, you'll see it's mostly built up. The insane density of mostly not-so-good-looking buildings on every corner of your eye. It used to be much more slum like, and built-up areas were thinner and between. Now, it's a concrete jungle. It's not very attractive city for foreigners, but as a dhaka native (born there), it still has this charm

Kinda wish I could sip tea at the rooftops, watching the gorgeous monsoon sunset over the hustle and bustle and chaos of Dhaka city right now

When Dhaka finally becomes fully developed (leave it to "experts" to speculate when that happens, maybe when Afghanistan has a space program), you can bet there will be a bunch of old-timers who'll miss the "good old dhaka" that had much more character. A bit like oldtimer Singaporeans missing the good old Singapore.

As LKY once said to a journalist; " you criticized us for our stench and squalor, now you criticize us for being too sterile, too developed"

Kinda getting ahead of myself, but that day will probably happen xD Perhaps sooner than we think

 

[Bilal9]

Not an architecture expert, but it appears brick and concrete brutalism (though done in a much more tasteful way) are some of the characteristics of modern (post 71) Bangladeshi architecture. Perhaps influenced by Louis Khan's Sangsad Bhabun?

They look really nice, non-generic, and somewhat unique. And blends in well with the local scenery.

Yes - Face Brick (High Quality Terracotta Brick) cladding is a local staple and a specialty. You are right, most of the MP and administrative housing was built with this cladding in the 1960's, and just like the bare concrete in the Sangsad Bhaban itself, Face brick does not need re-painting of exterior every year because of the extensive rain, humidity and algae staining.

 

[Bilal9]

From my experience in Dhaka, the unregulated sector looks, how to say, offensively concreety. Not only builders are not trying to cover it with something pretty, but almost throwing it into eyes.

In China, even sheds in villages are now covered with curtainwalls

The problem is two-fold,

1. The general populace (lower middle class on down, typically), having not enough western taste exposure. though a large portion are working overseas in Malaysia and Dubai, and

2. Their ability to afford high quality construction materials at reasonable prices, like one can do in China.

Of course - if the govt. standardized minimum safety for construction (which it documents but hardly enforces), things would be different. All in good time I guess, when living standards go up. In villages fifty years ago, the poor lived in Thatch roof houses, because of poverty, but relatively cleanly. One can also grow vegetables on thatch roofs. Nowadays it is brick sidewalls and Galvanized tin roofs mostly. Having a concrete house with concrete roof that storms won't be able to blow down, is a prestigious affair for the household and family.

 

[Bilal9]

Skyline-Altering Tower Under Construction in Dhaka​

A 40-storey commercial skyscraper proposed by Shanta Holdings will redefine the skyline of the capital and largest city in Bangladesh. Pinnacle was approved for construction in September 2018 and began groundworks in November 2019, with a completion date targeted for December 2022.

Pinnacle, image via Shanta Holdings


The office skyscraper, claimed to be the first in Dhaka to undergo a wind tunnel test, boasts a design by local firm EK Architects. The exterior will be composed of an imported double-glazed unitized facade system. Seven high-speed elevators and five basement levels hosting 376 vehicles will also be integrated into the development.

Pinnacle, image via Shanta Holdings
Each floor will contain 14,500 square feet that can be segmented in separate spaces of 4,000, 5,035 and 7,250 square feet. Ceiling heights of 11.5 feet come standard here, affording extra vertical space compared to the city's typical 10-foot-high workplaces. The building will be able to accommodate at least 12,000 people.

Pinnacle, image via Shanta Holdings

A 45-foot-high atrium will greet workers upon entry into the building, which will include a fully equipped gym for employee use. Pinnacle will also incorporate a ground floor cafe and a rooftop restaurant into its internal plan.

Pinnacle, image via Shanta Holdings

 

[Bilal9]

@Paul2, these are new factories North of Dhaka (Gazipur area) and outside of any export zone.

Bashundhara Multi-steel project courtesy of PEB Steel Alliance (local steel bldg. fabricator) at Gazipur. Click image to enlarge.

Other factories made by PEB SAL, these are possibly Pharma plants

This is Coke's new $74 Million investment in Bhaluka, Mymensingh (North of Dhaka) see image below. Two lines will bottle PET bottles as well as aluminum cans. Bangladesh pioneered coke sold in 330 ML aluminum cans back in 1992, years ahead of larger countries in South Asia. The Bengali Coke Logo was designed in the early 1960's. https://www.canmuseum.com/Detail.aspx?CanID=10550

PEB SAL has also supplied aircraft hangers to many airports locally including the one in Dhaka.

This is a Pharma processing unit near Dhaka

Nasir Glass Industries (They process glass sheets into luminaires) in Savar, near Dhaka

Small power station in Rajshahi area

 

[Bilal9]

New Healthcare Pharma (HPL) plant going up in Savar...This is going to be a ten-story structure. Increasingly Bangladesh projects are starting to use steel framing rather than RCC for speed of construction benefits.

 

[Bilal9]

Karnaphuli Export Zone in Chittagong.

PEBSAL manufactures and installs EOT (Overhead Travelling) cranes in various ratings for factories, these double-beam ones are around 30 tons each.

PEBSAL also specialize in custom manufacturing piling tubes as well as large diameter piping for industrial uses. Many of the local bespoke bridge piling tubes were manufactured and installed using their facility.

 

[Bilal9]

Fabricating a part for a Meghna Cement plant at PEBSAL

 

[Bilal9]

Naif Builders is a tier 1 Industrial flooring solution provider. They specialize in zero-undulation super-flat floors for textile storage (Pallet racks) and other facilities, often finished with Epoxy coating.

Superflat floor for Pallet Racks at Ispahani Summit Terminal (JV)

Superflat floor at Pioneer Denim (Badsha Group)

Polished concrete

 

[Bilal9]

Affordable house for all
2 minutes read

Raj Hoq, CEO of Rangs Properties

Real estate business in Bangladesh is still tied up to the tier of the elites and this needs to change, says Raj Hoq, currently the CEO of Rangs Properties. Athletic in posture and a sharp-looking man, he explained his future plans for the company.

A passionate team leader, much of his talks were on how he describes success and the secrets of his leadership, him being in the pivotal position of a top company in Bangladesh. And he was fluidly giving away all that he had in the bag – and they were excellent set of recommendations too. He says if you are a good listener, committed to your work, have good communication skills, ability to understand people and compassionate with others, you will be a winner. But what really got us was as to his vision for the future – the future of the real estate business in Bangladesh he wishes to pioneer.

“The real customer segment is the middle-class, the largest segment of the population in Dhaka city,” Raj Hoq says. “Everyone nowadays, on an average, pay a rent of Tk 20,000 to 30,000 per month to the landlord. Imagine yourself paying around Tk 20,000 a month and end up owning an apartment in about 10 years! In that way you are not spending anything on rent, only paying monthly installment. And finally, you will have an apartment of your own.”

His calculations were crystal clear. In 30 years, for an average middle-class household that pays Tk 30,000 for rent per month, ends up paying about Tk 1 crore. “Does the landlord say that you can have a share of my house? No he doesn’t and he won’t ever. But, if you can pay the same amount for 30 years and become an owner of a property worth Tk 1.8 crore, isn’t that wonderful,” says visibly beaming Hoq.

But for that to happen, banks have to step in and bring down the interest rates of housing loans. It might even have to go up to the government level to set up special regulations for the real estate segment. But Raj Hoq thinks it is very much possible in the near future. He even thinks that the banks are showing some real development in this sector and such hopes are not so far-fetched. “Some latest developments are showing real promise. The interest rates in housing have come down remarkably. It is now the lowest you’ve ever seen. We can expect it will come down further in the future. If that happens, there will be some real development in the sector. And then, I believe we can offer everyone an affordable house,” Raj Hoq says.

 

[DalalErMaNodi]

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