Cultural sustainability in contemporary architecture

Abstract

Globalization contests traditional and contextual architecture, and sustainable development has become one of the major challenges to cultural and regional development. Introducing technology and passive design strategies in building has become a common practice to address sustainable development. However, is the same principle inappropriate to sustainable development for every region? If so, could an approach in contemporary architecture be needed to promote and develop localized design, materials, and construction to advance sustainable development? The fundamental objective of this paper is to address the local pattern of people through the cultural and traditional architecture as another layer of sustainable development. This paper explores the local pattern of living, and design aspects of traditional architecture of Dhaka, Bangladesh that has more than four hundred years of history. The primary focus is to incorporate contemporary design practice that address and supports local design and building construction. As such, idea of critical regionalism and architecture are discussed with respect of Dhaka. Unlike imposing exogenous solutions, the paper argues with the approach of transforming indigenous design solutions through contemporary techniques and applications. The paper offers sustainable design strategies of old Dhaka to develop the synthesis between the local and contemporary architecture as the continuation of memory, diversity, and culture towards a futuristic sustainable development of Dhaka city.