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Urban study group in session. Photo by

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Urban Study Group, Dhaka

The major determination of the Urban Study Group, Dhaka is the protection of the historical urban structures that are found in the (Old) Dhaka.

The organization is a non-profit that runs through volunteering to bring about viable restoration solutions for the remaining historical buildings in the city.

The organization does not only provide physical proposals but seeks to advance welfare and fight the cause of safeguarding the last pieces of Dhaka’s physical heritage.

The Urban Study Group is also concerned with securing the lives of people who earn their livelihood by depending on the historical quarter. This is another major failure for the developers that greatly encourage the organization to intervene in the present issue.

The members of the organization have also faced a lot of challenges by being chased, threatened to be killed, and forcefully evicted by the building owners.

Below are the top ten fascinating facts about Urban Study Group, Dhaka

1. The Urban Developers is a Major Concern for the Organization

Puran Dhaka is undergoing development and there are no government regulations that are being enforced. The developers have been a major concern in the area and havoc is beginning to emerge.

The developers are electing flats in the area without any regard for the neighboring plots let alone the one they are building on. On every street in the old Dhaka, there is shunned development which has degraded the beauty of the landscape.

2. The Urban Study Group was Founded by Taimur

Taimur is the director of the Urban Study Group found in the old Dhaka which is a nonprofit making organization that offers walk tours in the area. He founded the organization in 2004, to prevent the historical buildings of Dhaka from being legally torn down.

He however claims that some of the most treasured and memorable historical buildings are still in danger of facing demolition.

Most of the volunteers in the organization joined Taimur to protect the area where they grew up since their childhood which has a lot of historical significance.

3. The Organization was Founded to Stop Land Grabbing by Developers and Some Government Officials

Photo by Austin Distel on

The organization was formed in 2004, the same year when an old building collapsed in the bazaar. The government which was supported by the developers saw an opportunity to grab some land.

They proposed the demolition of the old buildings that were of historical significance to the residents.

The historians and the conservationists urged that the cultural heritage of the city would be destroyed. This is what led to the formation of the organization by Taimur who is a trained architect.

4. The organization has Demonstrated Against Demolitions

The nonprofit making organization has been on the street to protest against demolitions in the old Dhaka. They however claimed that the entire area with the old buildings should be set aside and designated for historical significance.

The conflict over the preservation of the old Dhaka echoes in other cities which led the preservationist, developers, and government agencies to take the dispute to the courts and media.

5. The Nonprofit Organization Has Met its Goal of Saving the Buildings

Urban Study Group. Photo by Portuguese Study Tour.

The volunteering organization has successfully met its goal of saving the building from demolition but there will be a struggle in restoring them. The landlords are also committed to throwing out the tenants and losing the rental income to restore the buildings. 

In other countries, the government can restore the building but in Bangladesh, the government has other priorities.

It is also difficult to obtain public funds for restoration with health issues, schools are under-stuffed.

6. The Members Have Faced Tremendous Challenges

The members of the organization have claimed to the physically threatened, abducted by the building owners, and chased away. This is as a result of their stand to help save the historical old Dhaka from the waves of demolition.

However, the challenges, the volunteers are committed to protecting and preserving the neglected heritage that they played as children.

7. The Old Dhaka has Been a Treasure and an Asset to the Organization

Old buildings in Dhaka. Photo by Rayhan9d .

The old Dhaka has been their great asset and treasure that can never be replaced with any other thing no matter how hard they try.

The historical area has not only been a playing ground but is the key to the provision of prosperity and source of employment for the residents.

According to the organization, it is better to build on what is in Old Dhaka than to tire down the old traditional fabric and ambiance that still exist in the area.

8. Some Volunteers Joined after Witnessing Horrible Betrayals

Some volunteers witnessed some of the demolitions while they were still children. During the demolition, whenever the buildings were listed for demolition, the restoration or compensation never materialized.

This frustrated a lot of individuals since the cost of living was already very high at the moment.

When the demolitions took place many families were left in the streets on the mercies of the people of goodwill.

9. The Organization is Focused on Preserving the Historical Culture

This is a photo of old monuments. Photo by Rayhan9d.

Although the area consists of old buildings, the residents have grown to love the environment around them every day. Some volunteers claim that each morning they can talk to and spend time with their neighbors all day long.

However, in the new Dhaka, the area is so developed that neighbors do not know one another. This culture has been of great value to the residents who cannot think of another kind of existence.

10. The Members Have Risked Their Lives to Stop Demolition

The volunteers have risked their lives several times for the sake of stopping demolition by working late during the night without security.

At times they have had to wake up during the night to stop a demolition in an area with several laborers. They have also assembled in the streets during the time to protest against the acts.

Urban Study Group is a volunteer organization that is so determined to protect the treasure in the old Dhaka.

They also dare to stop the government from the evil act of demolishing the structures without any compensation. The organization though made up of volunteers has been very successful to retain the historical buildings.