Dhanmondl used to be a select residential area before other residential areas like Gulshan. Barldhara. Banani came into being. The character of Dhanmondl Residential Area as such has. however. changed rapidly over Ute past few years. Within a decade of Its existence, Dhanmondl began to lose many of Ils unique characteristics.

During the days of Dlianmondl’s glorious past, most of the houses in that area were single or double storied houses and looked splc and span with large grassy lawns, verdant gardens and select trees. It had a tranquil environment. That scenario is now a thing of the past only to be looked back at with nostalgia.

The area, originally Intended for residential purposes, now appears to have turned into a ‘mainly commercial area with numerous schools, clinics, fast food shops, banks, community centres and oilier commercial establishments. Even a pharmaceutical Industry is operating on a big chunk of land in that area. During the last two years, its commercial character has become more prominent by the growth of big shopping malls, proliferation of medical diagnostic centres, computer training centres and related businesses and also many government and NGO offices. On account of these manifold commercial activities, the area may well be described as Dhanmondl commercial area.

The former image of the place is now lost as low-rise buildings has now been replaced with high-rise apartment buildings with no symmetry with surrounding structures, giving it the look of a concrete jungle.

Dhanmondl has different looks at different times of a day During morning and afternoon, normal

life In the area becomes severely affected by the horrendous vehicular traffic as they converge on the numerous schools every morning and afterwards the same process Is repeated In the after noon. The consequent traffic jams which occur this way is a regular feature of life in this area. The existence of many community centres in the area adds to the tribulations of Its dwellers as Invitees to various functions at such centres park their cars on the roads outside creating traffic Jam. The numerous fast food shops, kabab and halim joints become the centres of unruly behaviours of some Indisciplined young elements hurling obscenities at female passers-by . which disturb the peace of die neighbouring residents.

The Dhanmondl lake beautification project Is nearing completion. The beauty of the lake has been enhanced in some respects with provision of ceramic and concrete seating arrangements at convenient spots along the banks. This, however, provides questionable haunts for anti-social elements which tends to vitiate the environment, particularly after the evening hours. Incidents of mugging are frequent along the paths leading to the lake. Public utility services like water supply, sewerage, electricity are facing Increasing problems of proper management. The municipal dustbins adjoining the existing clinics overflow with hospital wastes creating public health hazards.

The exclusive character of the area as a residential zone has steadily eroded since Independence under heavy pressure of population growth and the housing needs. Tills has given rise to a proliferation of apartment complexes in the area. Simultaneously Its commercial character is becoming Increasingly prominent, making It look more like a commercial area.