Rehabilitation of Destitute Children and Role of Architecture: A Case Study of Chattogram, Bangladesh

Destitution is one of the dominant subject matters in developing countries leading to varieties of concerns, a significant one being child poverty. At an early age, children of this category come across repeated exposure to unpleasant events which results in the degradation of their physical as well as psychological health. Several organizations remain engaged in the empowerment process by providing a range of facilities such as education, medical treatment, shelter, etc. to include them socially in urban settings. However, along with the provision of basic necessities, a guideline for productive rehabilitation space requires a thorough investigation of design features such as scale, proportion, texture, color, formal expressions, etc. of the built environment designed for them. Additionally, exploration of the children’s indoor and outdoor activities, growth rate analysis concerning age groups and a thorough study to assess levels of trauma become a vital necessity. Through a questionnaire and field survey, the first phase of the analysis is conducted. The next phase includes the assessment of survey data to categorize children, their needs, and their activities. With an aim of re-integrating these children into society, the research strives to explore design approaches based on functional requirements to minimize the present disorder and assure a conductive rehabilitation environment.