Integrated work-space module for informal micro metal industries of zinzira, keraniganj, dhaka

Abstract

A silent industrial revolution has been taking place on the banks of river Buriganga, Zinzira, Dhaka. In comparison with other giant industries, Zinzira have been playing a significant role off the record in recent years. The scenario has generated from quite an unorthodox context and term “made in Zinzira” .During 70’s- 80s’s a special group of skilled workers started to emerge in Zinzira who were mostly hardware mechanics. By only using scrap metal and local knowledge they can reverse engineer expensive machines locally in much less costlier fashion. The term “made in Zinzira” originated from this skill of “reverse engineering” which is somewhat seen in negative lights as counterfeiting and cheap products. As a result, lack of infrastructure, proper workstation, working environment from the scale of the community hinders the potential of this sector. The research & design scheme tries to explore the relationship between the work environment and existing infrastructure within the urban fabric of Zinzira. The aim is to determine a sustainable solution of modules that could be the holistic interface that this specific micro metal industry deserves, as the capital and investments are crucial for the owners and workers of this type of small scale industries. The research will conclude via the comprehensive investigation on how to explore and improve work-space relationships of micro metal industries theorizing schematic work-space modules in order to establish Zinzira as an asset to be recognized in reverse engineering sector rather than leaving it over shadowed by wrongly describing it a counterfeit production industry.