Crafting for the Craftsmen: On-site Accommodation for the Construction Workers in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is currently experiencing rapid growth in the construction industry with several government mega-projects and private projects in the pipeline, generating more job opportunities for construction workers. Because of their low-income range, the workers, mainly internal migrants, cannot afford a decent lifestyle and often end up staying in poorly maintained temporary accommodations on the construction sites. Their living conditions vary with the project scale and they frequently have to move their temporary accommodations through different phases of construction. Although these workers have a significant contribution to the country’s economy, their deplorable living conditions are unaddressed. Currently, there are no effectual national policies to ensure their quality of living for on-site accommodation. By evaluating different levels of policies associated with the construction sector, this research formulates policy reforms to ensure on-site accommodation standards and safety. It also explores the design possibilities of makeshift dwelling units for different siting conditions. This research offers standard living alternatives for the workers by investigating their current on-site living needs through a design research process.