Mr. Ghafur's views in the above titled write-up (DS: Point-Counterpoint: 14/7/04) divulges on an issue that is haunting the policy planners for decades. Though relevant, the author has tried to unnecessarily complicate the matter by beating around the bushes, repeating jargons, gestures and postures for simply stating that "sustaining Shakhari Bazaar" is needed, which he himself points out that the late Prof. N. Karim of DU had said long before. On the contrary, Mr. Choudhury's assertion (DS: 19/7/04: Tale of a City) on the same issue is more direct and down to earth. The dynamics of Shankhari bazaar rests on the unique way of life and living of the residents and not on the buildings. Original buildings were one or two storied and 80 to 90% of the buildings including extensions are of comparatively recent origin as can be seen from beam-column and reinforced slab system of construction. Even the building that collapsed recently was not very old and was unauthorised. What the author suggests (restoring the structural safety by underpinning method?) amounts to fossilising the illegal non-engineered structures in the pretext of sustainability. In Shankhari Bazaar, as in whole of old Dhaka, most of the buildings are new, even the old community has also very gradually been replaced by a new one, but the new residents have adapted the old ways in the process of integration.The external socio-economic or cultural stimulants were never so sudden to be able to change the basic character of the community and the settlement. In old Dhaka including Shankhari bazaar, it is the way of life and living that is old -Â the civic norms and their physical expressions (public spaces) gives the area its vibrancy. There are, however, some fine pieces of architecture (not in original use) and urban spaces in old Dhaka that needs restoration/conservation for the posterity.
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