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Community Centers for Community Development:
A Case Study of Dhaka City
Farhana Yasmin*
Dr. Gulsan Ara Parvin**
Abstract
Like the developed countries city corporations and municipalities of Bangladesh too bear the
responsibility of providing community facilities to the urban mass. Among various facilities,
community center is one of the prime civic facilities aiming to facilitate community interactions,
building community bondage and thus contributing community development in urban areas.
Through empirical studies on three community centers of Dhaka City Corporation, this research
examined the existing conditions and uses of the community centers along with the problems,
potentials and dwellers’ satisfaction level associated with those. A city like Dhaka, where
scarcity of spaces for community gathering and interaction is severe, it is urgent to resolve the
problems and enhance the potentials for ensuring effective and multipurpose uses of the
community centers. This study reveals that community centers can be a hub of community
development.
Introduction
The word ‘community’ is derived from the Latin word ‘communutas’ means ‘the same’.
According to Merriam (2008), community is an interacting population of various kinds of
individuals in a common location and having common interests. Keeping consistency
with the meaning of community, community center (CC) means premises operated by or
on behalf of a government or nonprofit organization for providing community activities,
which may include but is not limited to arts, crafts, physical, social, charitable and
educational activities (CCD, 2005). Community centers are also one part of an integrated
network of community resources. They aim to provide activities that respond to local
community needs, to be inclusive, accessible, and encourage active participation and
involvement in the community (CC, 2005). A community center (CC) provides spaces for
people with similar interest but often vary from social, religious and political
backgrounds who come to play, to learn, or to work together for personal satisfaction
and / or community improvements.
After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, Dhaka City has started expanding both in
area and population at an alarming rate. This expansion of urban population has created
not only new demand for facilities but also an unbearable pressure on the existing
community facilities. Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) is the legitimate authority
responsible for providing community facilities to the population of the city. DCC is
working for providing the basic facilities like school, college, local shopping, playground,
parks, primary health center, CC, roads, place of worship, etc. through community
participation (DCC, 2005). However, it has been very difficult for DCC to cope with the
increasing demand with its limited budget and within the scope of present planning
process. In this situation community participation might play a dominant role for
developing community facilities.
*
Lecturer, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, BUET, Dhaka. Email: yasmin_farhana@yahoo.com
*
* Associate Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Bangladesh University of
Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh. Email: gulsanaraparvin@urp.buet.ac.bd /
niruurp@yahoo.com
Jahangirnagar Planning Review, Vol. 6, June 2008 126
Unlike schools, colleges and hospitals; CC is not the basic need of human being.
However, among various facilities, community center is one of the prime civic facilities
aiming to facilitate community interactions, efficient network of community bondage and
thus contribute community development. Therefore, the approach of community
development with provision of various civic facilities and amenities is widely adopted in
the planning and development process.
This research depicts a comprehensive picture of community centers of DCC. This
picture would be a reliable base to deal with the problems and to improve the conditions
of the centers. Observing the unhealthy situation and misuse of existing CCs provided
by DCC, this research intends to examine the existing condition and uses of the CCs,
major problems and potentials associated with them. Further, it evaluates the extent of
city dwellers’ satisfaction level to the existing CCs.
Approach of the Study and Limitations
The scope of the research is limited to only the CCs provided by DCC. Both the field
observation of the centers and questionnaire survey of the dwellers and concerned
officials (i.e. officials from DCC, Zonal Office, and Ward Office) were done to collect
information about the existing situation, problems and expectations of the residents.
Due to time constraints among 39 CCs of DCC only 3 centers have been selected for the
study. Selected CCs are Bakshi Bazar CC (situated in ward 63), Vuter Gali CC (situated in
zone 5 of ward 50) and Paltan CC (situated in zone 4 of ward 36) located in Old Dhaka,
residential area and commercial area respectively (DCC, 2005). These centers have scope
for community development by community participation. This should be mentioned that
this study has several limitations. The literature related to the CCs of Bangladesh is very
scarce. In fact, there is no previous research on the CCs of DCC. Only three centers may
not represent the actual situation of all CCs of DCC, but provides a general
understanding of the condition. Lack of cooperation from the concerned officials has also
weakened the research. Despite the limitations, this paper is expected to be a landmark in
the way of developing the CCs of DCC.
Community Centers in Dhaka City
The Bakshi Bazar CC has been established in 1983, whilst Vuter Gali CC and Paltan CC
have been established in 1990 and 1994 respectively (DCC, 2005). The CCs are
respectively 22 years, 15 years and 10 years old. About 47 percent people used the
Bakshi Bazar CC and about 60 percent people used the Paltan CC for different purposes
(Figure 1). Vuter Gali CC is not in usable condition due to various reasons, such as,
unsuitable location, less accessible, bad structural condition, inadequate utility service,
inadequate ventilation, unhygienic condition, political influence, antisocial activity,
inadequate security system, less manpower for maintenance, poor management, and
unusable physical condition of the premise.
120
100
Percentage (%)
80 53 100 40
60
40
20 47 0 60
0
Bakshi Bazar Vuter Gali Paltan Yes No
Community centres
127 Community Centers for Community Development: A Case Study of Dhaka City
Fig. 1: Percentage distribution of inhabitants who use community center.
Source: Field survey, 2005.
Table 1: Percentage distribution of purpose for the use of CC.
Purposes Bakshi Bazar (%) Paltan (%)
Marriage Ceremony 40 20
Birth Day 7 20
Community activities 0 0
Cultural Activities 0 20
Religious Activities 0 0
Political Activities 0 0
Not Used 53 40
Total 100 100
Source: Field survey, 2005.
Table 2: Ranking of reasons for not using the community centers.
Bakshi Bazar Vuter Gali Paltan
Reasons Frequency Rank Frequency Rank Frequency Rank
Unsuitable location 9 6
Less accessible 3 7
Bad structural condition 3 4 24 3
Inadequate utility service 6 3 12 5
Inadequate ventilation 6 3 3 7
Unhygienic condition 9 2 24 3
Political encroachment 33 2
Antisocial activity 9 2 9 6
Inadequate security system 9 2 9 6 3 3
Less manpower for maintenance 18 1 21 4
Poor management 9 4 36 1 6 2
Inadequate facilities 18 1 6 2
Inadequate floor space 6 3
No need 3 4 12 5 9 1
Total responses 96 195 24
Source: Field survey, 2005.
Jahangirnagar Planning Review, Vol. 6, June 2008 128
Surprisingly, a major portion of the respondents do not use the CC. Table 2 reveals
people who do not visit CC. Most of them reported ‘less manpower’ for maintenance and
‘inadequate facilities’ as the reason whilst others mentioned ‘unhygienic condition’, ‘anti
social activity’ ‘inadequate security system’ as the reasons. The reasons, which are in
third rank, are ‘inadequate utility’, ‘poor ventilation’ and ‘inadequate floor space’ for
Bakshi Bazar CC. Vuter Gali CC is politically encroached by a gymnasium named
‘Friends Gymnasium’ in the ground floor. Various antisocial activities (i.e. drug,
gambling, etc) occur in this CC. This is the reason why it is now in unusable condition for
the inhabitants. Thus, most of the people mentioned ‘poor management’ and ‘political
encroachment’ as the reason for not using CC. Besides, ‘unhygienic condition’,
‘inadequate security system’ and ‘bad structural condition’ have also been reported by
few people of Paltan CC users.
People’s Satisfaction and Expectations about CC for Community Development
People’s satisfaction level has been assessed from different perspectives, such as
satisfaction related to location, accessibility, structural condition and condition of parking
facility and utility. The level of satisfaction in different aspects identified in the study are
discussed below.
Location of the CC
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka Educational Board, and
Madrasa Board are located around the Bakshi Bazar CC. Behind the CC there is a
residential area. This center was established to serve the Bakshibazar area. So the location
of this center is satisfactory for the user. The Vuter Gali CC is located in a residential area,
where a mosque named ‘Dhanmondi Jame Mosque’ is situated in front of the center.
This land use is incompatible to each other. As a result, about 60 percent people are not
satisfied with the location of CC. The Paltan CC has been established to serve the
Motijheel Commercial Area, and almost all users are satisfied with the location of this
center.
Accessibility of the CC
The Bakshi Bazar CC is situated beside a main road named ‘Joinag Road’ with the width
of about 50 feet. About hundred percent people are satisfied with the accessibility of this
community center. The Vuter Gali CC is situated beside ‘Circular Road’, about 25 feet
wide and the condition of the road is not so good. In this regard, about 62.22% people are
not satisfied but the remaining 37.78% are satisfied with the accessibility of this CC. The
Paltan CC is situated beside a main road named ‘Outer Circular Road’ with a width of
about 120 feet. About 100 percent people are satisfied with the accessibility of the
community center.
Structural Condition of the CC
According to Mess and King (1947), the quality of the building is a major determinant of
the success of the center and a good social life is dependent upon a good building. They
mentioned that the centers should include a large hall suitable for meetings, social events
and theatre, and, if possible, a common room, canteen, games facilities and a number of
small meeting rooms. However, though the Vuter Gali CC is established just few years
ago (1990), the structure of the center is not in good condition. It is a three storied
building of which first two floors are pucca and the third floor is shaded by tin. As this
CC is not being used, the structure is also not renovated for a long time. There is only one
129 Community Centers for Community Development: A Case Study of Dhaka City
caretaker for maintenance but no security guard is provided for this center. Since the
center is not widely used, the caretaker has no work at all. Furthermore, it was revealed
that he established an illegal tea stall in front of the community center and work there.
The structural condition of the Bakshi Bazar CC is moderately good. The community
center building is renovated from timetotime when it is needed. The design of the
building is old fashioned and not good looking. However, most of the people are
satisfied with the structural condition of the center. Kitchen area of this CC is unshaded,
so during the rain it becomes difficult to continue the program. The structural condition
of the Paltan CC is very good. Almost hundred percent people are satisfied with the
structural condition of the community center (Table 3). Provisions for kitchen are also
good enough to serve the CC.
Table 3: Satisfaction level measured on different aspects of the community center.
Aspects Category Bakshi Bazar Vuter Gali Paltan
Frequency % Frequency % Frequency %
Location Satisfactory 45 100 18 40 45 100
Dissatisfactory 0 0 27 60 0 0
Accessibility Satisfactory 45 100 17 37.78 45 100
Dissatisfactory 0 0 28 62.22 0 0
Structural Satisfactory 27 60 0 0 45 100
Condition
Dissatisfactory 18 40 45 100 0 0
Floor Space Satisfactory 16 35.56 15 33.33 42 93.33
Dissatisfactory 29 64.44 30 66.67 3 6.67
Utility Services Satisfactory 33 73.33 0 0 45 100
Dissatisfactory 12 26.67 45 100 0 0
Source: Field survey, 2005.
Floor Space of the CC
Floor space is an important consideration for the community center. The CC should have
adequate floor space to accommodate the large number of people. In the Bakshi Bazar
CC, floor space is not adequate. Table 3 reveals that only 36% respondents are satisfied
and the remaining is not satisfied with the floor space of this center. In this CC, very
small room has been provided for women and bride. Most of the people used the Vuter
Gali CC, are not satisfied with the existing floor space. Since it is not in usable condition,
the floor space does not give any benefit to the city dwellers. About 93.33% respondents
of the Paltan CC are satisfied with the floor space.
Utility Services of the CC
The source of water for drinking and other purposes in the CCs are provided by the
Dhaka WASA. Electricity supply is provided mainly by DESA. Table 3 showes that
73.33% people of Bakshi Bazar CC are satisfied with the utility service. However, number
of the toilets in this centre is not adequate. One hundred percent respondents mentioned
that toilet service is very inadequate and they are not satisfied with this at all. There is no
provision of separate toilet for the women. However, about one hundred percent people
are satisfied with the utility services of Paltan CC. Almost one hundred percent people
Jahangirnagar Planning Review, Vol. 6, June 2008 130
are not satisfied with the utility services of Vuter Gali CC. The number of toilet of this CC
is inadequate and their condition is unhygienic. The total environment of the CC is not
hygienic. Even, front side of the ground floor is now being used as a public bathing place.
Parking Facilities of the CC
Parking is also important for the community center because it generates traffic. Most of
the respondents complained about the inadequacy of parking facilities of the CCs. There
is no offstreet parking facility in both the community centers. So people have to park
their vehicle ‘onstreet’ which creates congestion and problems to others.
Expectations about the CC for Community Development
People gave their opinion about the future use of the CC and prioritize the activities for
different timeframe. They expect the community center to be used for different
community activities along with the marriage ceremony and birthday programs.
Table 4: Expectations related to community center for community development.
Priority Time Period
F (%) F (%) F (%) F (%)
Gathering center for different age groups 108 80 27 20 0 0 0 0
Leisure time activities 66 49 54 40 12 9 3 2
Center for training and workshop 54 40 57 42 24 18 0
Health care center 51 38 48 36 27 20 9 7
Shelter for natural disaster 27 20 42 31 39 29 12 9
Disaster management center 30 22 48 36 42 31 15 11
Center for community development by public 72 53 48 36 9 7 0 0
participation
Center for religious purpose 45 33 51 38 27 20 12 9
Social welfare center 63 47 54 40 15 11 3 2
Women welfare center 63 47 45 33 24 18 3 2
Adult education 36 27 48 35.5 48 35.5 3 2
Maintenance of law and order 3 2 0 0 24 18 105 78
Motivation and awareness building program 30 22 42 31 51 38 12 9
Note: F means frequency
Source: Field Survey, 2005.
Table 4 illustrates that most of the inhabitants want that community center will facilitate
gathering of people of different age groups, center for community development by public
participation, and leisure time activities. Some people expect that community center
should also work as a center for training, workshop and social welfare. Further, most of
the people think that CCs should not deal with the law and order maintenance of the
locality. CCs are used as a center for adult education or informal education and self
training of residents in the developed countries like UK and USA (Kelly, 1970; Harrison,
1961). Like the developed countries, the residents of Dhaka City expect the use of CC as a
place for adult education, knowledge and awareness building, social development,
women welfare and other related activities of community interests.
131 Community Centers for Community Development: A Case Study of Dhaka City
Proposals to Convert CC as a Hub of Community Development
The community centers of many counties such as Japan, China and United States are
being used for the social welfare, social interaction, recreational events, cultural
programs, religious activities and moral development of people, interestbased courses,
library and meeting spaces that benefit the local community. Both in Europe and
America, the number of community centers has been increased with the prime goal to
foster community cooperation by enhancing strong network among the dwellers
(Broady, et al. 1990; Fisher, 1994). Even community centers are widely used as an
emergency shelter during natural disasters. However, the CCs of Dhaka City as well as
other parts of Bangladesh are used only for specific purposes like marriage ceremony or
birthday programs. Only these activities can not ensure the community participation for
the community development of Dhaka City. DCC could tailor their programs and
activities to meet the needs of the local communities and thus contribute for building
strong and healthy communities.
In this regard, firstly, the government should have the willingness and efforts to improve
the existing conditions of the centers. DCC and other concerned authorities must take
necessary measures for solving the existing problems. Zonal office of the DCC could take
immediate measures for improvement and increasing the existing facilities of the
community centers before implementing the long term recommendations. Some of the
short term measures include:
• increase the accessibility;
• improve and renovate the structural condition;
• attractive interior and exterior decoration;
• increase floor space vertically as the land is limited;
• improved and hygienic toilet services;
• provide telephone service for easy and better communication;
• should have proper ventilation in the CC;
• provide parking facilities;
• install the facilities for the protection from fire hazards; and
• appoint adequate manpower for security, maintenance and management.
Marriot (1997) found that the authorities of many centers in England involved in the
organization of community building had a poorly developed sense about the changing
pattern of the needs and requirements of their local community, and the market for what
they have to offer. According to him, they are often much more concerned with the
physical management of the building than with the development of the local community
and the role the building has to play within such development. From the observation and
questionnaire survey, it was found that the scenario is similar in Bangladesh in case of
prioritization of people’s need; and even the authorities have no interest in physical
management. Over the time, the responsible authority could increase the provision of
different uses. To enhance the community development within the city, each ward
should have one CC which will be planned as a ‘Ward Development Complex’ where all
community development activities could take place. Mess and King (1947) identified that
the nature of the leadership is a very significant factor for the success of the centers. The
Ward Office should have given the responsibility for providing community facilities
including CC for successful community development. They may also take the
Jahangirnagar Planning Review, Vol. 6, June 2008 132
Conclusions
The study visualizes that the CCs of DCC are not optimally utilized for community
development. The CCs are financially weak for inefficient management and operation. It
could make profit and contribute a lot in community development of Dhaka City, if
utilized optimally. From the example of other countries, the contribution of CCs in
community development could be realized. Based on the identified problems from case
studies, few strategic recommendations have been given for optimum utilization of the
CCs. The proposed ‘Ward Development Complex’ will help community development
through participation of local people and being administered by local government body.
The CCs in Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka City, can contribute a lot in the community
development if they are properly utilized with adequate manpower, maintenance and
management. It is expected that the research will be useful for future researches on
community development in major cities of Bangladesh.
Acknowledgements
Authors would like to express their sincere thanks to Sajeda Chowdhury Tuli and Sabiha Zafrin for their help
during the research. Authors are also very much thankful to the Officials of DCC for provided information.
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