Reimagining Barishal River Port: Creating a Public Realm with Integrated Port Facilities

The Barishal River port in Bangladesh has been a key transportation hub for over 150 years, connecting Dhaka with the southern region. Despite its historical significance, the port faces challenges such as limited capacity and outdated infrastructure. In order to address these issues and meet future demands, this thesis proposal to reimagine the port terminal has been put forward. The concept focuses on creating a user-friendly masterplan that emphasizes seamless connectivity, placemaking, and riverbank protection. The goal is to envision the port terminal design as a “public realm”, making it a landmark of the city and a vibrant urban center for trade, transit, and recreation. By incorporating elements from local literature, the unique design strategy seeks to create a poetic and inclusive space for both locals and tourists evoking emotion, following the design principles of creating a “public realm”, it aligns with the sustainable development goal 11.7. It promotes newness to designing a port facility complex, that includes various amenities, and enhanced urban connectivity to improve the efficiency and attractiveness of the port. The collaborative approach can be suggestive to boost economic development, preserve cultural and natural heritage, and create job opportunities. Through this visionary design, the port can continue to play a pivotal role in connecting communities, fostering economic growth, and safeguarding the region's unique heritage.