STUDY ON THE LEFTOVER SPACE UNDER

MAYOR MOHAMMAD HANIF FLYOVER: CASE

AREA JATRABARI-GULISTAN

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY-BANGLADESH

COURSE: SEMINAR

SUMMER 2021-2022

SUBMITTED BY:

GROUP 09

TASNIM, RAMISA (17-35121-2)

 INDEX
TOPIC PAGE NO.

ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. 01
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................(02-03)

1.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 02

1.2 Objective ..................................................................................................................................02

1.3 Method .....................................................................................................................................02

1.4 Conceptual Framework ............................................................................................................ 03

1.5 Expected Outcome ...................................................................................................................03

1.6 Limitation................................................................................................................................. 03

Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................. (04-06)

2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 04

2.2 Background .............................................................................................................................. 04

2.3 Space under flyover .................................................................................................................05

2.4 Community involvement in leftover space ............................................................................. 06

2.5 Summary ..................................................................................................................................06

Chapter 3: SURVEY DATA ........................................................................................................... (06-09)

3.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 06

3.2 Survey data...............................................................................................................................06

3.3 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 09

Chapter 4: DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION ..................................................................... (09-10)

4.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 09

4.2 Survey data analysis ................................................................................................................. 09

 4.3 Summery ................................................................................................................................. 09

Chapter 5: RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION ........................................................... (09-11)

5.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 09

5.2 Summary of findings................................................................................................................ 10

5.3 Recommendation ..................................................................................................................... 10

5.4 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 10

REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................10
 1
ABSTRACT

Dhaka is one of the most populated cities in the world which is extremely affected by vast traffic
congestion. In recent years, remarkable flyover projects have been built in Dhaka to increase the mobility
of the city. The construction of flyovers caused the creation of leftover space underneath them. Most of
these spaces are isolated, neglected, unapproachable, and purposeless. The aim of the paper is to find out
the underneath spaces condition of Jatrabari-Gulistan flyover and safety security of the spaces underneath
the flyover. Instead of getting detached from the neighborhood through the connectivity the flyovers in
Dhaka can serve the city with different possible manners or positive appearance. For the progression of
the paper literature review and survey data has been analyzed.

Keywords: Flyover; Space under flyover; Jatrabari-Gulistan; Dhaka

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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1. INTRODUCTION

Dhaka city’s traffic system is considered to be one of the most chaotic ones in the world. The increasing
number of populations in urban areas are experiencing the traffic flow on the road due to the tremendous
use of vehicles every day. The residents are compelled to undergo physical stress and suffer financial
losses in terms of man-hours lost on working days. Nowadays there are a lot of flyovers been built in the
city to decrease traffic congestion on the road.
Jatrabari-Gulistan Flyover, also known as Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover, is a 11.8km-long flyover
opened on October 11, 2013. It has 4 lane divided carriageway and consists of 13 entry and exit ramps at
major junctions for smooth inflow and outflow of traffic. It extends from Jatrabari to Sayedabad,
Tikatuli, Joykali Mondir, Kaptanbazar and Gulistan. In particular, it serves as a connecter to Central
Business District and suburban area.
The construction of the flyover is creating the possibility of the wasteful spaces underneath socially and
economically which needs to be solved. They either display withering and neglected landscaping, dead
storage spaces or garbage dump, though these spaces include a high impact on the city’s urban fabric.
The study will focus the issues related to space underneath the Jatrabari-Gulistan flyover and will
investigate how to utilize the leftover spaces in the context of Dhaka.

1.2. OBJECTIVE

• To find out the existing condition of the spaces underneath the flyover.
• To find out the safety security of the spaces underneath the flyover.

1.3. METHOD

The study was done in two methods first is the literature review in which we collected information
through the review of related thesis, journals, reports, and books. The second was physical survey of the
flyover under space. An analysis of the space was performed to determine the existing conditions of the
site.
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1.4. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3

Selection of topic for Selected topic's Preparing the
seminar paper. background study. introduction.

WEEK 6& 7 WEEK 5 WEEK 4

Investigation Studying journals and Preparing literature
publications. review.

WEEK 8 WEEK 9 WEEK 10

Preparing Survey Survey data analysis Findings and
Data evaluation

WEEK 11
Conclusion

1.5. EXPECTED OUTCOME

We expect that this paper will create awareness among people. We are hopeful that instead of the illegal activity,
underneath flyover space will be an active space.

1.6 LIMITATION

This is a student research project, where the time is limited for only 11 weeks. During doing the research
there was no funding, and no proper team management to carry out a proper survey.
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CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. INTRODUCTION

Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover is a 11.8km long elevated flyover. It has 4 lane divided carriageway,
starting at Palashi near Gulistan junction and ending at Kutubkhali.[1] It was built for easy transportation
and communication purposes for the 30 southern and south-western districts of Bangladesh.[2]

2.2 BACKGROUND:

The Mayor Mohammad Hanif flyover was initiated in 1998. The construction started on June 22, 2010
as the largest public-private partnership investment in Bangladesh [3] and was opened on October 11,
2013. The flyover was built with a view to easing traffic congestions at the busiest exit point of the
capital and allowing vehicles to reach the Dhaka-Chittagong highway in a short time without facing
heavy traffic on the stretch between Gulistan and Jatrabari areas.[2] It has 4 lane divided carriageway
and consists of 13 entry and exit ramps at major junctions for smooth inflow and outflow of traffic [1].
It extends from Jatrabari to Sayedabad, Tikatuli, Joykali Mondir, Kaptanbazar and Gulistan. In
particular, it serves as a connecter to Central Business District (Motijheel area) and suburban area
(Narayangonj area) [3]. In broader perspective, it is at the confluence point of three important national
highways viz. Chittagong (N1), Sylhet (N2) and Mawa (N8) as well as Demra (old Chittagong) road. It
is one of the major gateways to enter Dhaka City from at least 30 districts of Chittagong, Sylhet, Barisal
and Khulna division, which essentially implies that Dhaka bound traffic stream from these three
important national highways along with a large number of suburban city bound local traffic have to
enter through the only roadway link between Jatrabari and Saidabad [4].

Figure 1: Jatrabari-Gulistan flyover road network (Google Earth View) [5]

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In fig. 1 we can see the route of the flyover marked with red line starting from Chankhar-Pool and then
pass through Bongo-Market, Gulistan, Tikatuli, Wari, Narinda, Swamibag, Saidabad, Jatrabari and ends
at Kutubkhali.

Figure 2: Jatrabari-Gulistan flyover connecting area (Google Earth View) [5]

2.3 SPACE UNDER FLYOVER

The space under flyover also usually used for informal activities. Most of the activities that conducted
along the sidewalks and roadside curbs such as selling of food and beverages. In addition, most of the
commercial activity within the underneath of the flyover was deemed as lacks in term of its proper
amenities. Flyover beneath space needs to open up a little bit for city dwellers with small
interventions and amenities. Therefore, very few works have been produced on the flyover
phenomena in Dhaka. The Jatrabari-Gulistan flyover is packed with greater characters than the other
flyovers collectively in Dhaka. Currently, urban agglomeration of this space mushrooming informal
vending opportunities.

Figure 3
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2.4 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN LEFTOVER SPACE

Participation by the community is the driving factor behind a successful habitation of the leftover
spaces. It is the existing community that understands the shortcomings in their everyday life in order
to function fittingly, and they are the ones who are familiar with the potential that the surroundings
they live in offers as compared to the authorities who visit once in a while. Thus, in order for
authorities to produce successful planning for a certain area, community participation is very crucial.

2.5 SUMMARY

The space under the flyover became abandoned space with no public activity happening there.
Through the right actions and development, these spaces can become a space for public community.
The right use and activities beneath the flyover can generate new experiences of urban space.

CHAPTAR 3: SURVEY DATA

3.1 INTRODUCTION:

Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover, a 11.8km-long flyover is creating the possibility of the wasteful spaces
underneath socially and economically. Urban accumulation of this space is growing informal vending
opportunities. The previous chapters are basically based on various types of journals and books. However, a
site survey is essential for diving deeper into the research topic. People’s opinions, and current conditions,
along with other things, will help to make the topic more understandable, and the study uncovers a depth of
information.

3.2 SURVEY DATA:

A small questionnaire survey was conducted to apprehend the general people’s perception regarding the space
underneath the flyover. The paper collects data through interview with 15 passerby and find that 60% of
respondents are younger people, 30% senior people and 10% kids.

Figure 4: Age distribution of respondents

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Here 60% of the respondent’s gender is male while 40% of them is female.

Figure 5: Gender distribution of respondents

60% of the respondents are workers, 30% of them are students and 10% are others.

Figure 6: Occupation

65% of the respondents regularly uses this route while 25% of uses often and 10% of them frequently uses this
route.

Figure 7: Distribution of respondents by frequency of passing

70% of respondents are using this route to go to their job, 18% of them to go to shoping, 2% of them for
leisure purpose and 10% of them for other purpose..

Figure 8: Distribution of respondents by purpose of using this road

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60% of the respondents thinks that the quality of the space is poor, 30% of them thinks its fair while 10% of
them thinks that space quality is good.

Figure 9: Quality of the space

40% of the resppondents said they face dirty stacks under the flyover, 20% said garbage dunp, 20% said there
are illegal possession of space and 10% complained about illegal buisness.

Figure 10

65% of the respndents said that they don’t feel safe while passing the space at night and 35% of them feels
safe.

Figure 11

60% of the respondents said they don’t feel secure, 30% said there are fear of snatchers and 10% face others
problems.

Figure 12
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3.3 SUMMARY:

After this investigation the paper will know the existing condition of the spaces underneath the flyover,
users of the space, safety security of the space.

CHAPTAR 4: DATA ANALYSIS

4.1 INTRODUCTION

Data from the survey questioner were exported and analyzed. A total of 15 people was interviewed to
complete the survey. Through the questionnaire, the local people living around the area have provided us
with their opinion and concerns.

4.2 SURVEY DATA ANALYSIS

Respondents were asked a series of questions about their experience of the space underneath the flyover
which they were involved. Of all survey respondents 60% users were younger people, which is the most.
Senior people and kids were less in number. In this survey the paper find that male users are more than the
female users. Differention between the user’s occupation showed that most of the users are workers, then
students and others. Regular user of the route are more than the users who uses it often. Frequently users of
the route are very less. Most peoples purpose of using this road are their job. People who uses this road for
shopping and other purposes are less than them. People who uses this road for leisure purpose are very few in
number. From the survey we found that most people think the quality of the space is poor. Less than them
think it is fair and few people think the quality of the space is good. People faces dirty sacks more while
passing this space. Others faces garbage dump and illegal possession; less people face illegal business
happening there. The paper find that more people doesn’t feel safe while passing the space at night while less
of them feel safe. People faces lack of security, snatching while passing the road.

4.3 SUMMARY:
After this the paper knows the analysis of the existing condition of the space underneath the flyover.

CHAPTAR 5: CONCLUSION

5.1 INTRODUCTION

The previous chapter mostly relied on survey data analysis. Based on the survey, analysis and result, we have
given some guide lines on what can be done to better the present situations of the leftover space underneath
flyover.
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5.2 SUMMARY OF FINDING

• Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover created socially and economically wasteful spaces underneath it.
• Informal activities happen underneath the flyover usually such as selling of food and beverages.
• Majority of the people uses this route regularly and they face dirty sacks, garbage dump, illegal
possession, illegal business while passing this space.
• Environment quality of the space is poor so people try to avoid the space.
• People doesn’t feel safe using this road at night because of lack of security and snatching problems.

5.3 RECOMMENDATION

Given recommendation is based on site survey, site analysis and interview:

• Urban planning underneath space of flyover.

• Improving the quality of the space which will make people interested to use the space.
• Instead of informal activities, creating space for public activity will make the underneath space an active
space. Through the right actions and development, these spaces can become a space for public
community.

5.4 CONCLUSION

Through this paper we want to draw the attention of the people and government. We hope that government will
give focus on utilizing the space underneath the flyover for the local resident’s benefit. It is expected that this research
will help the government to take appropriate steps in improving the space under flyover for people through social,
economic and recreational activities. Moreover, it will provide an enormous result in terms of improving
environment quality and changing lifestyle.

REFERENCES
• https://www.orion-group.net/index.php/concern/17/39/project-details
• https://www.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/hanif-flyover-fails-to-pay-off
• “Capturing urban mobility with cell phone data with an application of flyover opening in Dhaka,” IGC
Bangladesh, Nakajima Foundation and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2017.
• Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) Jatrabari-Gulistan Flyover Project: Rational Solution Approaches, Bureau of
Research Testing & Consultation (BRTC), Department of Civil Engineering, Bangladesh University of
Engineering and Technology (2008)
• https://www.slideshare.net/KamrulHasanSagar/mayor-hanif-flyover-dhaka
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APPENDIX

QUESTIONNAIRE:

FOR PASSERBY

1. Age group?
• Senior people
• Younger people
• Kids

2. What is your gender?

• Male
• Female

3. What is your occupation?

• Students
• Workers
• Others

4. How often do you use this route?

• Regularly
• Often
• Frequently

5. What’s your purpose to use the route?

• Job
• Shopping
• Leisure and entertainment
• Others

6. What do you think about the quality of the space?

• Good quality
• Fair
• Poor

7. What do you face while passing the space?

• Dirty stacks
• Garbage dump
• Illegal possession
• Illegal business

8. Do you feel safe while passing the space at night?

• Yes
• No

9. What kind of problems are you facing?

• Lack of security
• Snatching
• Others