Spatial Adaptability in Low-Income Housing: Evidence from Informal and Government Housing in Dhaka

Nazifa Nawar Subha; S M Najmul Imam; Fouzia Masud Mouri

doi:10.31127/tuje.1968316

Spatial Adaptability in Low-Income Housing: Evidence from Informal and Government Housing in Dhaka

Abstract

Informal settlements in Dhaka are expanding through unplanned extensions because existing low-income government housing remains static and is cost-intensive. These projects seldom reflect culturally rooted living patterns or adjust to changing family needs. In contrast, informal settlements grow through adaptability. Sattola is one of the oldest and most fire-prone informal settlements in central Dhaka. It reflects the spatial and social constraints and is a priority transit-oriented development zone under the Dhaka Structure Plan. The approach is a design research method for developing a culturally sensitive, incremental housing framework with a core unit, derived from spatial and behavioral studies of residents. The study employed mixed methods, including reconnaissance surveys, spatial documentation, time-space activity mapping, focus group discussions, and household surveys of 30 dwellings in Sattola and 15 in the Bauniabadh government housing. A comparative literature review of Bhashantek was also conducted. Based on the analysis, the study proposes an incremental housing unit-and-cluster framework with adaptable units, shared services, and resident-selected infill. The research supports planned socio-economic urban growth through context-sensitive, flexible housing design.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The “RISE Research Grant” of the Research and Innovation Centre for Science and engineering (RISE) at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka, Bangladesh funded the field study of this research.

Project Number

N/a

Ethical Statement

This study involved household surveys, interviews, field observation, photographic documentation, and a community workshop. Participation was voluntary, and the collected information was used only for academic research purposes. No personally identifying information of participants is disclosed in the manuscript.

Thanks

N/a

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Architectural Engineering

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Nazifa Nawar Subha ^*
0009-0001-5761-317X
Bangladesh

S M Najmul Imam
0009-0002-2704-4911
Bangladesh

Fouzia Masud Mouri
0009-0007-2415-2171
Bangladesh

Publication Date

October 16, 2026

Submission Date

June 10, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1968316

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA66GB32FY

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Subha, N. N., Imam, S. M. N., & Mouri, F. M. (2026). Spatial Adaptability in Low-Income Housing: Evidence from Informal and Government Housing in Dhaka. Turkish Journal of Engineering, 10(4), 1476-1488. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1968316

AMA

1.Subha NN, Imam SMN, Mouri FM. Spatial Adaptability in Low-Income Housing: Evidence from Informal and Government Housing in Dhaka. TUJE. 2026;10(4):1476-1488. doi:10.31127/tuje.1968316

Chicago

Subha, Nazifa Nawar, S M Najmul Imam, and Fouzia Masud Mouri. 2026. “Spatial Adaptability in Low-Income Housing: Evidence from Informal and Government Housing in Dhaka”. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10 (4): 1476-88. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1968316.

EndNote

Subha NN, Imam SMN, Mouri FM (October 1, 2026) Spatial Adaptability in Low-Income Housing: Evidence from Informal and Government Housing in Dhaka. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10 4 1476–1488.

IEEE

[1]N. N. Subha, S. M. N. Imam, and F. M. Mouri, “Spatial Adaptability in Low-Income Housing: Evidence from Informal and Government Housing in Dhaka”, TUJE, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 1476–1488, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.31127/tuje.1968316.

ISNAD

Subha, Nazifa Nawar - Imam, S M Najmul - Mouri, Fouzia Masud. “Spatial Adaptability in Low-Income Housing: Evidence from Informal and Government Housing in Dhaka”. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10/4 (October 1, 2026): 1476-1488. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1968316.

JAMA

1.Subha NN, Imam SMN, Mouri FM. Spatial Adaptability in Low-Income Housing: Evidence from Informal and Government Housing in Dhaka. TUJE. 2026;10:1476–1488.

MLA

Subha, Nazifa Nawar, et al. “Spatial Adaptability in Low-Income Housing: Evidence from Informal and Government Housing in Dhaka”. Turkish Journal of Engineering, vol. 10, no. 4, Oct. 2026, pp. 1476-88, doi:10.31127/tuje.1968316.

Vancouver

1.Nazifa Nawar Subha, S M Najmul Imam, Fouzia Masud Mouri. Spatial Adaptability in Low-Income Housing: Evidence from Informal and Government Housing in Dhaka. TUJE. 2026 Oct. 1;10(4):1476-88. doi:10.31127/tuje.1968316