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Sustainability and Eco-Adaptability in Vernacular Housing in Bangladesh

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 International Conference on Society, Technology &
Sustainable Development (ICSTSD 2011)
Web: http://amrita.edu/icstsd; Email: icstsd@am.amrita.edu

Dear Md. Nawrose Fatemi,

Sub: Acceptance of Abstract for Oral Presentation at the First Annual International
Conference on Society, Technology and Sustainable Development – Intimation Regarding

Greetings from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, India.

The organizers of the First Annual International Conference on Society, Technology and Sustainable
Development are pleased to inform you that your paper titled Sustainability and Eco-Adaptability
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 3. Sustainability and Eco-Adaptability in Vernacular Housing in Bangladesh

Md. Nawrose Fatemi and Nabanita Islam

Department of Architecture
University of Asia Pacific, Bangladesh
nawrose@uap-bd.edu
nabanita@uap-bd.edu

ABSTRACT
Geo-Climatic factors encouraged people of different periods to shape their settlement strategy from the beginning of
human race. House became the emblem of protection and safety for human existence. Whenever people plan to build
their houses, geo-climatic factors come forward as the primary consideration to deal with the adverse natural
calamities and unusual environmental behavior. Geo-Climatic and economic reasoning have always been a
foremost apprehension in any housing technology being practiced specifically among those groups of people who
have been living in close association with the nature for years. In order to adjust with the environmental behavior,
the people have generated traditional paradigm of well-protected, sustainable and ecologically-sound housing form
and technology. Bangladesh possesses a rich tradition in the formation and developments of its human settlement.
The built forms of these settlements have their own specific characteristics. Indigenous people of this country have
hereditarily been exercising this sort of housing technology for years that reflect ecological and environmental
concern. There is a long history regarding eco-adaptive, environmentally sound and self-sustaining traditional
house form and technology in this region. The paper explores such traditional housing technologies practiced in
different parts of Bangladesh. It aims to investigate those traditional rural houses as a suitable form of architecture
in Bangladesh. It also presents the regional expression, cultural significance, ecological and economic reasoning of
the rural housing technology of Bangladesh.
Key word: Rural House Form, Traditional Architecture, Sustainability, Eco Adaptability, Housing Technique.

1. INTRODUCTION
Vernacular houses reflect the environmental, cultural and historical features of the country in which they
exist. The wisdom behind vernacular architecture is based largely upon traditional knowledge achieved
through trial and error process and handed down through the generations. Vernacular houses are
associated with culturally defined values and norms of that country. Bangladesh possesses a rich tradition
in the formation and the developments of its human settlements. The settlements possess distinct
characteristics in planning organization, use of materials and location. Evolving history of human
settlement practice reveals that ecological factors have long been incorporated in human survival and
living technology with great significance. Many unique housing technologies have been developed by the
locals that keep them least-affected and relatively safe against mightiest disasters. But there is a serious
deficiency to conserve proper documentation of eco-adaptive, environmentally sound and self-sustaining
traditional housing technology in this region. Recently, the importance of traditional indigenous
knowledge is understood as it is highly significant and experimented paradigm that exists over years from
generations to generations. These vernacular responses embody a wealth of design principles which
should be retrieved and applied today.

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 2. OBJECTIVE
The main focus of this study is to introduce a clear vision about sustainability and eco-adaptability of our
vernacular architecture. This paper is outlined to explore the traditional housing technologies practiced in
different parts of Bangladesh and also to investigate the traditional rural houses as a responsive and
suitable form which present the regional expression, cultural significance, ecological and economic
reasoning. The area and case studies are selected only on the basis of geo-climatic characteristics. The
Case studies depend on direct observations, sketch and photographs which are used to trace the present
status and the formations of vernacular architecture compared to the knowledge base. The literature
reviews served the purpose of making the knowledge base about the pattern of vernacular architecture.

3. CONTEXT OF BANGLADESH
The term “vernacular” is derived from the Latin "vernaculus", meaning "domestic, native, and
indigenous". Architecture is vernacular when it exhibits all of its criteria related to the ‘native context’ in
the sense that it can only be acceptable and recognizable within any particular society by applying some
particular technology, materials, social rules and systems. Vernacular architecture is a term refers to
buildings in indigenous styles constructed from locally available materials, following the traditional
practice and patterns. Bangladesh possesses a wide variety of vernacular architecture based on the
traditional knowledge regarding the topography and climate of the region.

3.1. Topographical Characteristics

Topographical configuration of a land surface, including its relief and contours, the distribution of
mountains and valleys, the patterns of rivers, and all other features, natural and artificial, produce the
landscape. Although Bangladesh is a small country, it has considerable topographic diversity. It has three
distinctive features: (a) a broad alluvial plain subject to frequent flooding, (b) a slightly elevated relatively
older plain, and (c) a small hill region drained by flashy rivers (Fig. 01)

Fig. 01 Broad Physiographic Units,

Bangladesh (Sultana, S., 1993)

35
The topography of Bangladesh is roughly 80% flat land, 12% hilly areas, and 8% terrace land. On the
south, a highly irregular deltaic coastline of about 600 km is situated, fissured by many rivers and
channels flowing into the Bay of Bengal. The alluvial plain is part of the larger plain of Bengal, which is
sometimes called the Lower Gangetic Plain. The hilly areas of the southeastern region of Chittagong, the
northeastern hills of Sylhet and highlands in the north and northwest are of low elevations. The settlement
pattern is linear along the river levees of the Ganges and the Meghna flood plains in the central region of
the country and in the Haor basins in the North-East region. Linear settlements are also found along the
dead or the dying river levees in the South-West Moribund deltas and along the spring lines of the
Chittagong Hill Tracts. In the rest of the country the settlements are either clustered or scattered.

By creating a land (or a 'mound') for the 'house' the act of homesteading in the Gangetic plains starts. The
land for the homestead is raised above the flood plains demarcating it from the surrounding agricultural
land (Fig. 02). The shape, size and height of the
'mound' vary from place to place. In some places,
especially in the high lands of Modhupur and Barind
Tract, there is no need to have elaborated rising of
the land for the homestead, even though in practice,
the homestead is demarcated from the rest of the
land by slightly raising it. This also helps to protect
it from the surface run off. In most other places,
however, large excavation and earth work is done,
while creating the 'mound' and also while
progressively enlarging a house by creating ponds,
tanks, canals, drains etc. in and around the
homestead. These are the ecological (service) bases
of the house and they also play significant roles in
ensuring privacy by creating barriers from the next
homesteads and thereby generating the loose,
distributed settlement pattern. After the raising of
land for the proposed homestead, various shelters,
huts and open spaces are organized on it and
gradually the ‘house’ takes its shape.
Fig. 02 The rural settlement Characteristics (Hasan, D. M., 1985, modified by author)

3.2. Climatic Context

Bangladesh has a subtropical monsoon climate characterized by wide seasonal variations in rainfall,
moderately warm temperatures, and high humidity. Regional climatic differences in this flat country are
minor. Three seasons are generally recognized: (a) a hot, humid summer from March to June; (b) a cool,
rainy monsoon season from June to October; and (c) a cool and dry winter from October to March. The
predominant characteristics of the climate are high solar radiation and heavy annual rainfall. In such a
warm humid climate, thermal comfort in the built environment is extremely important and protection
from rain and wetness is of high concern in the design and construction of the house structures.

36
 4. RURAL SETTLEMENT IN BANGLADESH
In predominantly rural (nearly 76%) Bangladesh, low-lying alluvial floodplains comprise the major part
of the land. There are two main types of rural settlement: elongated-linear and amorphous (Sultana,
1993), both established on raised or high land above the annual flood level. The elongated linear type is
built on high land along natural levees of rivers or water channels. The amorphous type, consisting of
clustered or scattered settlements built on raised land, is often dispersed throughout the terrain.

Fig. 03The rural

settlements and built
form (Hasan, D. M.,
1985, modified by
author)

Settlements are elevated to adapt to the annual flooding, but during extreme floods even raised
settlements may become flooded (Fig. 03). Where high land is not available, earth obtained from
excavating ponds or channels is raised into a mound about 2 to 3 meters high depending on the
surrounding water level, on which a homestead or BARI is established. A BARI often begins with an
individual household and incrementally develops into a settlement of several GHORS (dwelling units and
ancillary structures) of inter-generational households belonging to an extended family. Over time more
earth is added to extend the mound as the settlement gradually expands and settlements thus established
on raised mounds and in the rainy season virtually become islands.

5. TRADITIONAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

Size and layout of a rural house is determined by 'bandh' (length width = 'Bandh' in hand unit or 'hath').
There is a prejudice that the 'Bandh' must be an odd number which commonly varies from 13 'hath' to 27
'hath'(1 'hath'=0.45 m). Besides 'hath' there are other traditional units of measurement like 'Bighat' (half of
a 'hath) and 'angul' (width of a finger). These are used in more detailed measurements (Fig. 04). Height of
the plinth varies in different regions within ½ 'hath' (or 1’Bighat’) to 2½ ‘hath’. Height of walls varies
from 4½ ‘hath’ to 8 ‘hath.

37
 Fig. 04 Traditional measurement unit (Hasan, D. M., 1985, modified by author)

Again, Courtyards tend to be square not rectangular; other shape such as circle, triangle, pentagon etc, are
perceived to be less acceptable. This is because they seem to be difficult to accommodate material,
cultural and environmental needs. Again, square courtyard is preferable as eco-adaption over rectangle
because it provides optimum space use without wastage as during separating paddy from straw by making
cows walk upon it; the villagers create a circular movement and circle fits into square.

Paddy separated from

straw by making cows walk
upon it creating a circle

Less acceptable Acceptable More Acceptable

38
 6. DIVERSITY IN HOUSE FORM
A number of characteristic features of housing may be observed in the three board physiographic
divisions of the country, i.e. the plain land characterized by floodplain, the terrace land of the BARIND,
MADHUPUR and LALMAI (COMILLA), and in the hilly and upland areas of the east and northeast for
their differences in physical characteristics. These types of houses, however, have the tendency of
gradually transforming to the most common design found in the region.

6.1. Plain Land

Floodplain is relatively smooth valley floors adjacent to and formed by alleviating rivers which is subject
to overflow. Parts of Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Tangail, Joydevpur, Sunamganj, Mymensingh,
Kushtia, Jessore and Cox’sbazar are perceived as plain land.

Fig. 04 Housing Unit at Plain Land; ‘CHOUCHALA’ and ‘DOCHALA’

An open planning pattern is the appropriate response to this Warm Humid climate. Basically separate
rectangular form of living zones that elongated along east-west direction are arranged around a square or
rectangular shaped courtyard. But the corners of the living zones are separate from each other. According
to roof variation they are of two types: (a) ‘CHOUCHALA’ and (b) ‘DOCHALA’. To provide sufficient
air circulation, buildings are scattered while introvert in Character. They are separated with large, free
spaces between them to allow airflow which provides ventilation for cooling.

39
 6.2. Terrace Land
Parts of the Greater Dinajpur, Bogra, Pabna, Joypurhat Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Naogaon Districts of
Rajshahi Division are perceived as terrace land. A compact planning pattern is the appropriate response to
this Hot Dry climate.

Fig.5 Housing Unit at Terrace Land (DO MAHELA) (Doza, S.B. and Razzaque, M. Z. I., 2008)
This rectangular form of the building is usually elongated along east-west direction, i.e. the orientation of
the building is north-south. The best layout is that of a courtyard surrounded by walls and thus partially
isolated from the full impact of the outdoor air. Buildings are introvert in Character and compacted with
enclosed spaces between them. The configuration of buildings, their orientations, and their arrangement in
space create a specific microclimate for each site.

6.3. Hilly Area

Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracks, Mainamoti Hill Tracks and Parts of Sylhet are perceived as hilly
area. The construction of buildings are apart from each other, where possible, to allow free movement of
air around the building.

Fig.6 Housing Unit at Hilly Area (‘MHRANG ING’ - elevated house)

The courtyard is absent in housing of PAHARI communities, which is in contrast a distinguishing feature
in rural housing in the plains. A compact planning pattern is the appropriate response to the climate and
topography. Construction of compact and airy structures occupies a few lands and allows cross-
ventilation. Buildings are extrovert in Character and an elevated flat platform (MACHANG) is provided
with each built form.

40
 7. ECO-ADAPTABILITY IN VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
7.1. Settlement Pattern
7.1.1. Topography
Plain Land
In Plain Land, people have to raise their land from the flood level. The traditional houses in this area are
on higher plinth level than the terrace land (Fig. 12 &13).

Fig. 7 House at COX’S BAZAR with Fig. 8 House at NETROKONA with higher plinth
higher plinth (Huq, B. et al, 1999)
Ecological Analysis: The landform is comparatively at a lower elevation and shallowly flooded; most of
the ridges and all the basins of this floodplain region are flooded more than 0.91m deep for about four
months (mid-June to mid-October) during the monsoon. Because of the lower elevation and proximity to
flood level, houses, in these regions are made of bamboo matting and also of mud.
Terrace Land
In Terrace Land, people do not have to raise their land from the flood level. Again, the traditional houses
in this area are also on lower plinth level than the plain land (Fig. 8 & 9). (Doza, S.B. et al, 2008)

Fig. 8 House at DINAJPUR with lower plinth Fig. 9 House at RAJSHAHI with lower plinth
Ecological Analysis: The landform is comparatively at a higher elevation than the adjoining floodplains.
About 47% of this region is classified as highland, about 41% as medium highland. There are two terrace
levels - one at 40m and the other between 19.8 and 22.9m. Therefore, when the floodplains go under
water during the monsoon the whole area remains free from flooding. Because of the higher elevation -
much above normal flood level and of the lateritic content of the soil, houses in these regions are
generally made of mud wall.

41
Hilly Area
In hilly area, all the mountain ranges are almost hogback ridges. They rise steeply, thus looking far more
impressive than their height would imply. Generally the hill ranges and the river valleys are longitudinally
aligned. Ranges are with an average elevation of over three hundred meters. Houses are built on stilts
above the ground.

Fig. 10 House at RANGAMATI with Fig. 11 House at BANDARBAN with bamboo stilt
bamboo stilt (Ahmed et al, 2005)
Ecological Analysis: The reasons to build are: firstly, to be secured from wild animal, as the terrain was
crowded with beasts like fox and tigers and secondly, to safe guard from the water gush during rainy
season.
7.1.2. Climatic Conditions
Plain Land
The weather of this region is characterized by tropical monsoon climate. The climate of the area is
generally warm and humid with high rainfall. With the above factors, relatively high rainfall and humid
climate of the plain Land, houses should be separated with large, free spaces between them.

Fig. 12 Settlement at plain land (Huq, B. et al, 1999)

Ecological Analysis: The house arrangements are scattered in

character of this region for the reasons:
Firstly, to allow free movement of air through buildings and through
spaces between buildings and Secondly, many activities are carried
on out-of-doors.

Fig. 13 free movement of air through

buildings (Huq, B. et al, 1999)
42
TERRACE LAND
The Terrace Land lies in the monsoon region of the summer dominant hemisphere. The tropic of cancer
lies south of this region. The climate of the area is generally hot and dry. With the above factors,
relatively low rainfall and dry climate of the Terrace Land have led to the development of compact and
contiguous housing structure with lower average height ranging from 8 to 10 feet.
Ecological Analysis: The house arrangements are compact and
contiguous in character of this region because of:
Firstly, the building layout is that of a courtyard surrounded by
walls and thus partially isolated from the full impact of the
outdoor air and
Secondly, the configuration of buildings, their orientations and
their arrangement in space create a specific microclimate for
Fig. 14 air flow pattern through
each site.
compact buildings

HILLY AREA
The hilly area lies also in tropical monsoon climate with mean annual rainfall nearly 2540 mm in the
north and east and 2540 mm to 3810 mm in the south and west. The dry and cool season is from
November to March; pre-monsoon season is April-May which is very hot and sunny and the monsoon
season is from June to October, which is warm, cloudy and wet.

Fig. 15 Settlement at Hilly Area

Ecological Analysis: The settlement originated

where a JHIRI (water body) originated. The houses
are in disorganized pattern raised beside the JHIRI
direction. The location of JHIRI determines the
position of the settlement as in hill area; there is
lack of drinking water.
Fig. 16 location of JHIRI determines the settlement pattern

43
 7.2. PATTERN OF HOUSE FORMS
7.2.1. Building Form and Shape
PLAIN LAND
The shapes of the houses of the plain land are predominantly oblong (Fig. 17). A small veranda with
wood or bamboo support is the common design. The roofs of these houses are steep. A few out door
shaded space are seen. All functional spaces are separated into separate structure around a court yard.
Walls are constructed by bamboo matting.

Fig. 17 CHOUCHALA Built Form (Huq, B. et al, 1999)

Ecological Analysis: Rectangular oblong form of the building is elongated along east-west direction, i.e.
the orientation of the building is north-south to get natural ventilation. Shaded out door spaces and shaded
veranda are provided for the climatic reason. Steep roofs are provided as high rainfall is a regular
phenomenon. Separated functional spaces into separate structure are in response to warm humid climate
characteristics. For passive ventilation, bamboo matting walls are constructed which are perforated and
act as a breathing wall.

TERRACE LAND
The houses of terrace land have a regular geometry, which is approximately squarish (Fig. 18), where the
organization of the houses is focused on the courtyard or BAHIR PASH. All functions are accommodated
around the courtyard. The served and the service spaces are separated distinctly and rationally.

Fig. 18 Plan of DO MAHELA (Doza et al, 2008)

Ecological Analysis: The houses are compact in nature and a sort of introvert for the climatic reasons.
Thus the built form is partially isolated from the full impact of the outdoor hot air. The whole building
with all the functional spaces is adjoined around a courtyard. The walls are act as a thermal mass as the
weather is too much hot in this area.

44
HILLY AREA
Houses of Hilly area are consisting of square parts (Fig. 19). Even if any extension of the existing house
is done, it would be certainly another square. But it is to notice that the other spatial divisions that they
made by dividing the main house or any part are not square. The courtyard was absent in housing of
PAHARI communities, which is in contrast a distinguishing feature in rural housing in the plains. An
elevated flat platform (MACHANG) is provided with each built form.

Fig.19 ‘MHRANG ING’ (elevated house) at BANDARBAN

Ecological Analysis: The dimensions of the divided spaces directly response to the agronomics, activity
type and need. The MACHANG is in front of the house act as courtyards which are found in the houses
of plain or terrace land. The character of the house is much more extrovert in nature and the living zones
are too small as the space is limited and as they are on stilts.

7.2.2. Building Material

In all house form the basic materials are mud and bamboo as they are mostly available in nature (Fig.20).
They are easy to collect and the people have a long heredity to use them skillfully. The plinth is mostly
made of mud. The walls of the house structure are made from bamboos plaited into diamond or squared
patterns or from mud. In the low lying areas and amongst the very poor, jute sticks and various types of
local reeds are used as wall materials, often with mud plastering on both sides. The walls have small
window openings and receive considerable climatic protection from the sloping, stooping and
overhanging roof structures above. The roof is usually thatched with Chhon, Ulu, Khari, Bena grass,
Golpatta, Tal leaves, Coconut leaves, or with rice straw. Those who can afford do prefer corrugated iron
sheets (C.I. Sheet) for roofing and also for walls, because of its relative permanence.

Thatch roof

Wall of bamboo matting

Plinth from
Elevated Plinthmud
from bamboo

Fig. 20 material used in vernacular houses Elevated Plinth from bamboo

45
Ecological Analysis: All the building materials used in traditional housings are natural and from local
sources. It can be imagined that in earlier times, particularly when there were no permanent buildings,
housing was within the framework of a sustainable paradigm. Local renewable resources were cultivated
or nurtured, harvested sensitively and utilized without depleting the resource base. This is perhaps the
prime lesson that can be learned from vernacular housing: the sustainable use of natural resources for
creating human habitat.

7.2.3. Environmental Aspects

Orientation:
North-south orientation of the main dwelling unit is preferred, in depth, with its long side along the
courtyard facing south to take benefit from the coolness of the prevailing south breeze to relieve
humidity. This also allows the best orientation for protection from the sun which is along the east-west
axis.
Solar Heat Gain Minimization:
The adverse affect of the sun on the houses are considerably reduced because of the low height of the
structure. Their large projected roof overhangs and wide shaded verandah, the availability of abundant
vegetation (such as creepers) for shading the house, the porosity of the house structure as a breathing wall
and the inherent coolness of the shaded mud walls as a thermal mass and insulating quality of the thatch
roof contribute to the excellent thermal character and thus reflect the traditional response to the ecological
and environmental problems.
Rain Protection:
The extended roof protects the walls of the built form (basically made of mud or bamboo matting) not
only from the adverse effect of sun but also of rain. The raised plinth also protects the floor from surface
water logging during rain and flood.
Ventilation
To get proper ventilation, cross ventilation are ensured. Houses are arranged in north-south direction.
Built masses are separated to get free flow of the air. Vegetation is incorporated in the courtyard to get
cool air from shaded courtyard. Moreover the porous nature of the wall panels also contribute to a well
ventilated interior.

8. SUSTAINABILITY IN VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

The sustainable approach in architecture encompasses several characteristics. And each aspect like
environmental sustainability, socio-economic sustainability etc. are essentially context specific. This
housing technology and the house form are well suited with the cultural, social and physical factors of the
region. United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) give some recommendations for sustainable house
design are:
 The solution that is environmentally sustainable.
 When designing a house, consider its whole life cycle.
 Consider flexible designs that are easy to upgrade and expand.
 Simple, low-cost, robust, and practical solutions.
 Materials and tools needed to work the materials should also be locally available.
 Ensure cost-effectiveness in all construction activities.
 Incorporate the users need and cultural requirements.
46
Based on sustainable design house from UNEP, this paper also aims to assess vernacular housing to know
how far it’s sustainable. The assessment of sustainability of vernacular housing is based on three aspects,
which are: house shape, building construction system and building materials.

8.1. House Shape

The vernacular house shape is predominantly square or rectangular in shape. Vernacular housing has
considered the climate and used it to its advantage. Window, door, wall are used to flow fresh air for
reducing heat and humidity inside of building (Fig. 22). Elevated floor is also used to reduce humidity
from under the floor. With the holes in the gable end of roof (Fig.21) it makes air flow in the roof which
can reduce heat inside of roof space and also in building as a whole. The large overhanging roof provides
good shading and protection against heavy rains.

Fig.21 The holes in the gable end of roof fig. 22 The air flow inside of building through roof and windows.

8.2. Building Construction System

Vernacular housings are built by local people. Materials used for the building are collected locally.
Materials include bamboo for roof battens, and rafter. Walls covering are made bamboo matting. Roof
coverings materials such as bamboo and thatch are also collected and processed by the locals themselves.
Knowledge about building technology derived from ancestor and passed on from time to time (Fig 23).

Fig. 23 Local peoples construct their house

Use of local materials such as wood, bamboo, thatch, etc. brings down the cost of building. Local people
are using local technology to construct their housing, such as knock down system and tie system with
bamboo or trunk of trees.

47
 8.3. Building Materials
Materials for vernacular houses are mostly derived from locally available resources. The foundation is
mud foundation in the plain area and bamboo for elevated housing. The mud is collected from the river
which is close to the settlement or pond is dug to extract the soil. Bamboo is collected from the locality.
The material of supporting frame is wood. The wall is using bamboo, which is been tied and connected to
building frame. The window and the door are made from wood. Bamboo is used as a second layer of
window to allow air flow inside the building. The truss frame of roof is made from wood which is
connected to the frame of building.

9. CONCLUSION

Vernacular housing is a valuable example of architecture of wisdom coordinated with natural

environment. It specially focuses on the geo-climatic factors and economic reasoning. The paper tried to
explore the traditional housing technology, local's interpretation of the environmental behavior and
economic determinants associated with the vernacular housing construction, etc. Besides, it also analyzed
the eco-adaptability and sustainability that has been in practice for hundreds of years without creating
substantial obstacles. There’s still bright possibility to nurture these traditional wisdoms through further
research on the scientific basis of these technologies and re-imply these knowledge into modern
architectural process to achieve a more sensitive living environment.

48
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