Potentials and challenges of brownfield development for urban regeneration in Dhaka: The case of Hazaribagh tannery area

Brownfield development has remained a widely discussed and practised tool for urban regeneration since 1992. In the context of South Asian cities, particularly those with higher rates of urbanisation, increasing population density and land scarcity, brownfield development can be considered as a potential solution for urban regeneration and inner city expansion in order to achieve better livability and sustainability. The utilisation of potential of such practice, however, is rare in this region and in most cases Western precedents are followed, which vary widely in terms of complex socio-economic and cultural variables and land use policies from the context of this region. This paper aims to examine the issue of applicability of brownfield development in the case of Dhaka city. In light of a recent decision by the Government of Bangladesh to relocate the tannery industries from Hazaribagh, one of the prime industrial zones located within the city, this research attempts to explore the possibilities and contextual challenges of developing this as a brownfield site. The paper is based on archival research and case study conducted through a design studio exercise whereby the authors attempted to project a number of recommendations based on a set of identified issues.