Envisioning graveyards in dense urban areas in context of Dhaka city : from preserved hallowed ground towards healing landscape for the community

Abstract

Graveyards or burial grounds are an integral component of civic and community life of any city. They comprise a key religious, cultural and social element with a long history that has played a vital role in constantly changing and evolving society. Administrators and planners of densely packed megacities like Dhaka often find it difficult to spare enough land for burials and have to operate with scarcity of open green space within urban areas. Nevertheless, city graveyards can be transformed from just places for the deceased to urban oases of healing, commemoration and even the celebration of city-life. Henceforth, the graveyards in Azimpur, one of the oldest residential areas, has been taken as study area. This research was principally based on observation and field survey. Books, journals, documents from websites etc. are the sources of secondary data. The main objective of this study is to explore the existing condition of graveyards of urban residential areas in Dhaka city, to look into why civic and environmental interactions with graveyards are missing and also to identify their potential as healing gardens and open neighborhood space. It is clearly stated that, visual and physical connection with graveyards create positive environmental scopes for both neighborhood and as well as commuters.