Designing architectural continuity in a historic urban quarter of Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Abstract

This research paper examines the morphological transformation of the historic urban quarters (HUQ) adjacent to Maldah Patti in Dinajpur and provides guidelines for maintaining architectural continuity in new constructions. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, including historical research, physical surveys, user interviews, design ethnography, and participant experiences. The identified factors contributing to architectural degradation in HUQ adjacent to Maldah Patti in Dinajpur include economy-focused considerations, lack of awareness, municipal regulations, community sense, owner preferences, bureaucracy, and the architect’s lack of knowledge. The study identified physical characteristics of historical structures in the HUQ, including location, ownership, present use, facade emphasis, style, and pedestrian experience. The study recommends balancing historical continuity and socioeconomic development, designing elements to evoke historical ambience, acknowledging functionality and spatial constraints, ensuring client participation, paying attention to detail, taking inspiration from historic structures, deriving vertical and horizontal emphasis in the fac¸ade, facing trade-offs and compromises, giving importance to communication, and paying attention to security issues to achieve architectural continuity in HUQ.

Key words： Architectural continuity; Historic urban quarter; Morphological transformation; Physical characteristics; Urban fabric