Spiritual Setting to Communal Space: Study on Baitul-Mukarram National Mosque, Dhaka using Syntactic Analysis.
Personal Biography
1. Sadia Ibnat Raisa
Lecturer, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Chittagong-4224, Bangladesh.
2. Zannatul Fardous Nisa
Lecturer, Daffodil International University, Savar-1216, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Paper Abstract
Keywords: Mosque chronology, Space syntax, Spiritual space, urban activity, spatial compatibility.
Abstract:
The mosque has long been evident in the planning and design of Islamic traditional cities like Dhaka, as a significant aspect of the city's CBD, neighborhoods, and residential districts, serving as their most prominent feature. A mosque's function extends beyond its religious capacity as a place of prayer since it also plays an important role in meeting the community's social demands. The introduction of socioeconomic activity within the mosque premises stimulates the development of additional activities in the vicinity, there by transforming the mosque's entire layout into a communal space. This study aims to investigate how the National Mosque of Bangladesh, Baitul-Muqarrm, has changed in its spatial arrangement over the last 60 years in order to better understand how it has responded to diverse socioeconomic changes and spiritual practices in its urban environment. The research used a combination of descriptive-analytical methods and logical reasoning. Initially, as-built drawings of the mosque were created using literature research, designed map analysis, and on-site surveys. Following that, the mosque drawings, both designed and existing, were evaluated using space syntax (UCL Depth Map) to understand the changes in spatial configurations. Subsequently, a thorough assessment of the mosque's current functionality was conducted, including on-site surveys and the analysis of user opinions through questionnaires and mind-mapping surveys. Comparing the analysis results, the study underscores that the mosque courtyard was designed to be the most integrated location, facilitating the development of a socio-economic platform. In terms of measuring spatial continuity through the mosque space layout, the previous design demonstrated the greatest degree of interlinking, connection, and choice, which is why, over time, the mosque area transformed into a venue for both spiritual and social events. However, due to the recent influx of large peripheral retailers, the mosque courtyard interactivity has been deflated. The study recommends policies to improve the overall connectivity and accessibility of mosques based on increasing socio-economic activities within a densely populated neighborhood in a regulated manner. By addressing the physical and functional compatibility of mosques like Baitul-Muqarram, the study can be a significant resource for fostering urban mosque design principles.
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