In (South) Asian countries such as Bangladesh, spaces that ac¬centuate transition have been playing a far more crucial role in architecture than in most other cultures (Singh, 2015). This inter¬mediate or third space, holds a transitional quality and is therefore in architecture called the transition space. It’s defined by the rela¬tionship of the extreme zones it’s connecting, like private versus public or internal versus external zones. Since these in-between spaces are so frequently passed through, humans are often not even conscious of the themes it has been signifying for centu¬ries: welcomeness, auspiciousness and prominence.

The transition space is full of social and cultural meanings, shaping people’s environment and everyday behaviour. For instance, in rural parts of the predominantly Islamic country of Bangladesh, transition spaces like courtyards reinforce the seclusion and se¬gregation of women by influencing the female movement both in public and private spaces (Chowdhury, 1992). Men are able to move freely through the public streetscape, while women avoid open fields and roads. Instead they’re circulating via the more private courtyards (anginas) where most female activities take place, like cooking and interacting with other women. Another transition space that’s found in most of these dwellings, is the front porch (baithak) which is primarily used for receiving male guests. Women mostly don’t feel at home in this space although it is a prominent part of their homestead, and thus making an im¬pact on their habits. Like for females, transition spaces also nota¬bly influence the lifestyle of children and the elderly by offering a more private space for daily activities and social interactions.

Besides social and cultural importance, transition spaces are de¬signed to respond to climatic needs of the tropical monsoon cli¬mate (Singh, 2015). To illustrate, courtyards provide ventilation and therefore facades facing the street can contain fever ope¬nings, enabling more privacy and creating an open, yet private environment. Transition spaces like verandas offer a greater spa¬tial quality by providing protection from harsh sunlight and ra¬infall. In addition, the direct infiltration of heat and glare into the interior is being prevented by the extended roofs, keeping these indoor spaces cooler. Since the in-between space functions as a buffer zone for (severe) climate conditions, a more comfortable transition for the residents is created and the liveable quality of inside spaces is significantly improved.

Transition spaces are capable of either dividing or connecting spaces since they act as a link between public and private spa¬ces (Singh, 2015). For example, at one level it’s able to achieve privacy by not placing entrances in direct contact with exterior spaces. On the other level, interaction is being promoted when the space is enclosed through an in-between space like courty¬ards. In either way, transition spaces are inevitably at the heart of living in many (South) Asian cultures such as Bangladesh. Late Indian architect Charles Correa even believes that a transition space like an open to sky place can make a significant difference between a liveable habitat and claustrophobia in small (low in¬come) housing. Taking into account the importance of transition spaces in Bangladesh’ architecture is therefore crucial. People specific themes like gender, ethnicity, religion and income are all playing a key role in the creation of meaningful transition spaces which affect and operate on various scales: the scale of a dwel¬ling, community and city.

This thesis explores the pivotal role of women in the urban development of Sylhet, a city in the northeast of Bangladesh. It focuses on their participation in the planning and organizing a new urban project near a pond in an area characterized by diverse income levels and religious backgrounds. The central concept revolves around the formation of women-centric communities within this project. By empowering women to take the lead in establishing essential domestic functions and organizing their households, the study aims to highlight the potential for women to contribute significantly to creating cohesive and functional urban settlements. This approach addresses the immediate needs of providing shelter and essential amenities and fosters a sense of community and ownership among the inhabitants. The research underscores the importance of including women's perspectives in urban planning in Bangladesh to achieve sustainable and inclusive urban growth in Sylhet.

In recent decades, Bangladesh has been facing a rapid spread of urbanization with significant growth of its population. This phenomenon has impacted the housing situation in metropolitan regions, leading to a surge in informal housing, overcrowding, and the establishment and expansion of slums. A tangible indicator of this urban development is the escalating waste issue, far from going unnoticed given the amount dumped on riverbanks and wasteland. Solid waste has become one of the most prominent environmental problem in developing countries.The waste production increases significantly in line with the growth in consumption. Consequently, regions with higher population density generate larger volumes of garbage, necessitating appropriate infrastructure for its management. Sylhet City, in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh, is grappling with these challenges due to uncontrolled and unplanned rapid urbanization. The municipality faces difficulties in collecting and disposing of increasing amounts of waste. Difficulties have been linked to various factors, including inadequate funding, a poor community involvement, and a lack of implementation of laws. The repercussions extend to social, economic, health, and environmental dimensions, with a particularly elevated vulnerability in informal settlements.This is exemplified in the slum build on the southwest banks of the Surma River, next to the Keane Bridge in Sylhet, reflecting a broader issue faced by Bangladesh and South Asia. This project aims to gain deeper understanding of the needs of riverine communities to explore how design and infrastructure interventions can enhance living conditions on riverbanks. By integrating recycled waste as building components and focusing on circular design principles, the project seeks to propose sustainable solutions for urban development and waste management.

Bangladesh, characterized by its flat landscape and the dynamic Ganges Delta, faces severe climate change impacts, including devastating floods that threaten livelihoods and biodiversity. Urban expansion, particularly in cities like Sylhet, exacerbates environmental degradation, leading to the loss of green spaces, water basins, and biodiversity. This project focuses on the town of Bolawara, examining the conflicts between rural ecosystems and urban growth. The research aims to develop architectural and agricultural strategies that promote the coexistence of humans and nature during the rural-to-urban transition, addressing climate resilience, biodiversity preservation, and sustainable development.

The proposed architectural project presents an approach to urban housing, focusing on adaptability, sustainability, and community integration. The design emphasizes a strong core structure with a flexible, modular exterior, enabling incremental expansion to accommodate diverse income levels and evolving family needs. A standardized system ensures uniformity, efficient space use, and compatibility across housing types, promoting a cohesive community environment. The project integrates income-generating spaces within housing units, supporting economic stability. Additionally, shared community areas and sustainable practices, such as vertical farming and comprehensive waste management, foster social interaction, environmental stewardship, and self-sufficiency. The plan ultimately aims to create a culturally rich, self-sustaining community where architecture bridges people and nature, enhancing both individual and collective well-being.

Urbanization has had a significant impact on Bangladesh and will continue to do so in the coming decades, leading to a shortage of housing in urban area and consequent emergence and expansion of the ‘urban poor’. Among all the ‘urban poor’, children are more vulnerable. At an age when family support, education and other resources are needed, they often lack the most basic living conditions and sometimes even struggle to survive. Therefore, this project aims to explore the potential of housing design on alleviating the issue of urban poor children in Sylhet, Bangladesh.

The research focuses on the principles and features of an ideal child-centric community and children-friendly spaces, and the affordable housing practices in south Asia. In response to the research, the target area for the design project is in Sylhet city, on the south bank of the Surma River, next to the city icon Keane bridge. By adopting a mix-income model in residential building (lower floors for low-income group, upper floors for middle-income group), the design provides housing units and common spaces catering to different income groups as well as incorporating shared areas for activities, to balance the respect for lifestyles and social mix. Additionally, the project introduces diverse indoor and outdoor activity spaces for children at different scales, satisfying the needs of children of different ages, genders and economic backgrounds. Moreover, to adapt to the climate, the project adopts three main environmental strategies, namely green infrastructure, water conservation and climate resilience (particularly in terms of ventilation and solar protection).

Ultimately, the project aims to establish a model of an equitable, vibrant, environmentally adaptive and child-centric community that can be applied to other areas with similar issues of urban poor children.

An elderly-oriented affordable housing system in the context of Lakkatura tea garden, Sylhet, Bangladesh.