Six structures of Bangladesh honoured with Aga Khan Award for Architecture for 2022

Bangladesh has been honoured for six innovative structures with the prestigious 'Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA)' for the year 2022. These structures showcased innovative, environment-friendly designs and community centres in the Rohingya camps and the host community in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar.

Brac has been awarded for five of these structures: four are located at Camp 1 East, Camp 3, Camp 25, Camp 4 Extension, and one in the host community in Ratna Palong, Ukhiya. International development organisation, ActionAid also received recognition for an additional structure in the Rohingya camp.

A five-member delegation from the 'Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA)' committee visited the Rohingya Camps in Cox's Bazar on September 19. Hossain Zillur Rahman, former adviser to a caretaker government and chairperson of Brac, along with senior officials from the organisation, joined the delegation during the visit.

The delegation visited Camp 4 Extension, Camp 3, Camp 11, Camp 18, Camp 2 West, and Camp 5. At Camp 4 Extension, they visited Brac's Women-Friendly Centre, Community Centre, and various exhibition centres, engaging with members of the Rohingya community.

During this visit, the delegation stressed the importance of constructing environment-friendly facilities within the Rohingya camps.

The delegation included Farrokh Derakhshani, director of Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA); Kareem Ibrahim, CEO of Takween Integrated Community Development and on-site review expert for AKAA; Munir Merali, resident diplomatic representative of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN); Marina Tabassum, steering committee member of AKAA and architect of the organisation Saif Ul Haque.