January 2019 | Page 3 of 3 | A blog about homes, trends, tips & life

Trends January 9, 2019

Muzharul Islam: Shaper of Modern Architecture in Bangladesh

Reading Time: 5 minutes The name of Muzharul Islam will forever be etched in history as the shaper of Modern architecture in Bangladesh. It was by his hands and through his efforts that modern urbanization in Bangladesh initially began. His pioneering work from the 1950s sparked a revolution that continues to this day. Muzharul Islam also paved the way for establishing formal organizations to oversee city planning and numerous other institutes for architects. He is considered the most influential architect of Bangladesh and the grand master of regional modernism in South Asia. So let’s take a moment to learn about the man himself and how he helped shape the country’s architectural scene. The Man Muzharul Islam was born on Christmas day in 1923 at his maternal grandparents’ home in Murshidabad. He was a well-traveled and well-educated man with great vision and talent for architecture. Although his first Bachelor’s degree was in Physics, his passion…

Tips January 8, 2019

5 TIPS ON HOW TO IDENTIFY A HIGH-QUALITY LAND

Reading Time: 4 minutes Land is normally considered for long-term investments. Because unless you are ready to build your estate on the property, it takes time for the price to appreciate. That’s why most people prefer to purchase land way ahead of their core investment plan. Side by side, in the context of Bangladesh, there is hardly any available land in urban areas. Most of them are either on the outskirts of the city or in suburbs/rural areas. These areas are yet to develop but people are actively buying them for, one, their lower prices and two, the demand for accomodation in the future. Therefore, if you are planning to purchase land in Bangladesh, you need to plan ahead. And since it is for a long-term investment, finding the right plot is a key factor for a fruitful investment. Let’s see a couple of land buying tips on how you can identify high-quality estates. Accessibility…

Pulse January 6, 2019

MISTAKES TO AVOID BEFORE RENTING AN APARTMENT

Reading Time: 4 minutes A large number of people in Bangladesh belong to the middle-income population. For them, living in rental apartments might be the only choice. Therefore the demand for rental flats in Dhaka have increased significantly over the last decade, especially in urban areas. Due to several reasons, like the increasing cost of living in the city, people tend to shift their homes frequently. And as the competition is high among tenants to get the best possible deal, a lot of the time they tend to make mistakes while renting an apartment. If you live in rental flats in Dhaka and planning to move soon, then you should be aware of these aspects too. Let’s take a look at some critical mistakes you should avoid before renting an apartment. Inadequate Research A major mistake most tenants make is not doing any research prior to renting an apartment. Most of the time people…

Pulse January 4, 2019

Growing Commercial Areas in Dhaka Today

Reading Time: 5 minutes Not everything will go according to plan with city development. There is a constant struggle between planned VS organic urban development in Bangladesh, and the part of the city that was to become a residential area can transform into a thriving commercial area with time. This unplanned evolution, while seemingly deleterious at first, can in fact be quite a blessing. Like Gulshan, several areas today are emerging as commercial areas in Dhaka not by design, but naturally. These up-and-coming commercial areas pave the way for developing the city even further. And since more and more people today are finding reasons to invest in commercial properties, let’s take a look at some of the growing commercial areas in Dhaka today. Uttara This northernmost area of Dhaka is often considered a powerhouse due to its size, facilities, and near self-sufficient capabilities. In little over 20 years, Uttara has evolved into a bustling…

Pulse January 3, 2019

Navigating the Streets: A Guide for Expats in Dhaka

Reading Time: 4 minutes As a child, the idea of ‘getting lost’ was more adventurous than frightening. Many of us imagined getting lost and accidentally stumbling on to a mysterious door that would lead us to a magical kingdom. While we eventually outgrow those fairytale-esque imaginations, the idea of finding new places in a foreign land still excites us. For expats in Dhaka, they have the opportunity to explore this amazing land and its unique culture. But before you rent a flat in Dhaka and venture forth to experience all the city has to offer, get a better lay of the land and learn about all the popular activities for expats in Dhaka. Tasting Some Food Most expats in Dhaka are both curious and nervous at the same time about tasting authentic Bangladeshi foods. While the intoxicating smells of local specialties are difficult to ignore, the food itself may upset weak stomachs that are…

Trends January 2, 2019

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHILE ASSESSING A LAND FOR CONSTRUCTION

Reading Time: 4 minutes Land is a purposeful investment. Unlike any other investment grade asset, it guarantees a high return over a certain period of time. Although the property itself is valuable, you can certainly make it increase the price of the property by creating other opportunities. One can be by constructing a building on the property. It also works great for preventing illegal land grabbing practices. But how would you know if your land is ready for construction? And even if the ground is ready, what other things should be considered before starting the construction project? Let’s take a look at some important factors to consider before construction. Soil Condition Undoubtedly, a soil test is the primary and one of the most important factors to consider before construction. This soil test will reveal the type of soil(s) in the property. Based on that, engineers will recommend a proper foundation method, which will ultimately…