Abstract
The Jatio Sangsad Bhban (JSB) or the National Assembly Building of Bangladesh is an internationally renowned architectural masterpiece designed by eminent 20th-century American architect Louis I. Kahn. Its unique Architectural merit makes it one of the most significant buildings of the 20th century. The impact of this iconic building encompasses all spheres of Bengal life including culture, heritage, ethos and lifestyle. Its architectural values also evoke national identity, symbolizing the hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. However, despite its international and national material, social and human significance, it is yet to be nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS). This paper argues for the potential of the JSB to become a WHS.
Highlights
The Jatio Sangsad Bhaban (JSB) or National Assembly Building of Bangladesh occupies an area of 610 acres located at the heart of the city of Dhaka (Choudhury and Armstrong, 2013)
This paper argues that the JSB fulfills many of the six criteria of cultural heritage set out by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to become recognized as a World Heritage Site (WHS)
This paper argues that it meets the requirements to be given WHS status, qualifying based on five of UNESCO’s cultural heritage criteria 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6
Summary
The Jatio Sangsad Bhaban (JSB) or National Assembly Building of Bangladesh occupies an area of 610 acres located at the heart of the city of Dhaka (Choudhury and Armstrong, 2013) It was commissioned in 1962 by Pakistani military dictator Ayub Khan. His primary purpose was a political one, aiming to demonstrate to the people of East Pakistan ( Bangladesh) their emerging national identity; he sought to mobilize this sense of national identity to shift the focus of the people away from their low levels of social and economic development and their political subjugation (Choudhury and Bell, 2011). The building has been widely acclaimed for its modernistic architectural significance and its multi-layered cultural associations It has not received enough attention worldwide to earn a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List (WHL).
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