The British Council has initiated a research project on sustainable architecture in Bangladesh. According to Prothom Alo, the study is being conducted with funding from the British Council and is led by Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements, which was selected through a competitive process in March this year.

The research team is currently working across the country to document existing sustainable and climate-resilient architectural practices. Their aim is to compile detailed records and analyse interviews with architects, supervisors and users to highlight the wider context of these practices and present their practical applications.

Emphasising the need for such research, David Knox, Director of Programmes at the British Council Bangladesh, said sustainable architecture is becoming increasingly important for both the environment and the economy. He noted that it represents a unique combination of creativity, innovation and practical design, supporting climate resilience while also creating new opportunities for business and employment.

Professor Kazi Khalid Ashraf, Director General of Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements, said sustainable architectural practices were once a natural part of daily life in Bangladesh. However, due to changing times and environmental challenges, it is now essential to rethink and revive these practices. He added that identifying both community-driven initiatives and professional innovations is equally important.

The research team, led by Professor Ashraf, includes Nusrat Sumaiya, Director at Bengal Institute; Professor Ripin Kalra, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Westminster in the United Kingdom; Dr Atiqur Rahman, Executive Director of the Centre for Advanced Studies in Dhaka; and architects and landscape specialists Khondaker Hasibul Kabir from Jhenaidah and Dhaka.

This initiative seeks to shed light on Bangladesh’s architectural heritage while paving the way for innovative, sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges.