Two Bangladeshi projects shortlisted

Two Bangladeshi projects have been shortlisted for the acclaimed Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) 2022 amongst 20 projects around the world, reports UNB.
Sustainably built structures in the world's largest Rohingya refugee camps and a community-driven project providing public spaces in a riverine city of Jhenaidah with 250,000 residents- will compete for a share of the US$ 1 million prize, one of the largest in architecture.
The twenty shortlisted projects were selected by an independent Master Jury from a pool of 463 projects nominated for the 15th Award Cycle (2020-2022), said the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) on Sunday.
Bangladeshi shortlisted projects include the community spaces in Rohingya refugee response in Teknaf, by Rizvi Hassan, Khwaja Fatmi, and Saad Ben Mostafa: Sustainably built structures in the world's largest refugee camps, which occurred collaboratively in the field without drawings or models, and Urban River Spaces in Jhenaidah by Co.Creation.
A community-driven project providing public spaces in a riverine city with 250,000 residents, offering walkways, gardens and cultural facilities, as well as environmental efforts to increase biodiversity along the river.
To date, the project comprises two ghats - steps leading down to platforms at the river, with adjacent walkways - and the opening of obstructed pedestrian pathways leading to them.
Locally available materials such as brick and concrete were used in the simple, contextual designs, all built by local builders and masons; the site-specific projects retain all existing trees and vegetation.
Future phases focus on public use of the river area with walkways, gardens, cultural facilities and environmental efforts to increase biodiversity in the river.
The AKAA was established by His Highness the Aga Khan in 1977 to identify and encourage building concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of communities in which Muslims have a significant presence.