Md Rashed Bhuyan, PhD
Associate Professor
Md Rashed Bhuyan is an educator, researcher, and architect. Bhuyan is an Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture, BRAC University. Bhuyan holds a PhD in Architecture and an M.Sc. in Environmental Management from the National University of Singapore (NUS). He completed his professional Bachelor of Architecture degree from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Before joining BRAC University, Dr. Bhuyan was a Research Fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore. Prior to that, he was a faculty member in architecture at the University of Asia Pacific.
Bhuyan’s areas of research interest include child- and age-friendly urbanism, people-centric urban design, walkability, and sustainable architecture. Bhuyan has contributed over twenty authored and co-authored journal articles, book, book chapters, and international conference proceedings. His peer-reviewed academic writings appeared in Cities, Children’s Geographies, Journal of Mixed Methods Research, Journal of Population Ageing, and Urbanisation, among others. Bhuyan has worked on funded research projects worth over S$3 million in Singapore and Bangladesh. His current research projects focus on dementia-friendly built environment, children’s independent mobility, walkability, and waterfront developments in high-density South Asian and Asian urban contexts.
Bhuyan conducted design studios on urban design and housing, architectural form, and tall buildings in several universities. He developed theoretical courses on Urban Design, Building Technology, and History of Architecture (Europe). A registered architect, Bhuyan designed institutional (university and school campuses), commercial, and residential buildings, and worked as a consultant for notable architectural firms, universities, and business organizations.
Address
Level: 5
Kha-224 Merul Badda
Dhaka 1212. Bangladesh
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Education
+–- Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore, 2018.
- Master of Science (Environmental Management), National University of Singapore, 2013.
- Bachelor of Architecture (5-year, profess
ional), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, 2013.
- Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore, 2018.
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Publications
+–Books
Yuen, B., Bhuyan, M. R., Song, S., Moogoor, A., Yap, W., Mocnik, S., & Chua, R. (2022). Age-friendly neighbourhood planning and design guidelines: A Singapore case study. World Scientific. https://doi.org/doi:10.1142/12467
Book Chapters
Bhuyan, M. R., Ho, D., & Yuen, B. (2023). Contested active mobility infrastructure: Diversity of uses and experiences of walkable neighbourhoods in Singapore. In P. R. Messinger & K. Habib (Eds.), Reimagining Public Spaces and Built Environments in the Post-Pandemic World. Ethics Press. https://ethicspress.com/products/reimagining-public-spaces-and-built-env...
Rahman, M. M., Bhuyan, M. R., & Hasan, M. S. A. (2022). Waterfront development, iconic architecture, and global city aspiration in Asia: Hong Kong and Singapore. In M. Rahman (Ed.), Handbook of Waterfront Cities and Urbanism (1st ed., pp. 377–404). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003204565-26
Bhuyan, M. R., Kabir, S., & Hasan, M. R. (2022). Water sensitive urbanism in Bengal delta: Socio-spatial dialectics of ponds and waterbodies in Barisal, Bangladesh. In M. Rahman (Ed.), Handbook of Waterfront Cities and Urbanism (1st ed., pp. 127–144). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003204565-10
Yuen, B., Bhuyan, M. R., Song, S., Moogoor, A., Yap, W., Mo?nik, ?pela, & Chua, R. (2022). Age-friendly neighbourhood planning and design guidelines: A Singapore aase study. World Scientific. https://doi.org/doi:10.1142/12467
Bhuyan, M. R. (2019). Architecture for special needs: Sensing needs. In M. Z. Islam & S. Kabir (Eds.), Aspirations and Ideas: Designing with Context. The University Press Limited (UPL).
Bhuyan, M. R., & Skelton, T. (2014). Planned housing environments and children’s outdoor play: Is child-friendliness possible? In L.-H. Lye, V. R. Savage, L. M. Chou, L. E. Yu, & H.-W. Kua (Eds.), Sustainability matters: Asia’s energy concerns, green policies and environmental advocacy (Vol. 2, pp. 265–290). World Scientific. https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814546829_0024
Journals
Bhuyan, M. R.., and Zhang, Ye. (n.d.). Relationship between Micro-spatial Qualities of Play Spaces and Intensity of Children’s Outdoor Play in Dhaka. Urban Design International. (2023, Forthcoming).
Bhuyan, M. R., & Yuen, B. (2022). Older Adults’ views of the connections between neighbourhood built environment and health in Singapore. Journal of Population Ageing, 15(1), 279–299. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12062-021-09328-4
Bhuyan, M. R. (2021). Geographies of outdoor play in Dhaka: An explorative study on children’s location preference, usage pattern, and accessibility range of play spaces. Children’s Geographies, 20(1), 94–108. https://doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2021.1914823
Bhuyan, M. R., Lane, A. P., Moogoor, A., Močnik, Š., & Yuen, B. (2020). Meaning of age-friendly neighbourhood: An exploratory study with older adults and key informants in Singapore. Cities, 107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2020.102940
Bhuyan, M. R., & Zhang, Y. (2020). A mixed methods research strategy to study children’s play and urban physical environments in Dhaka. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 14(3), 358–378. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689819871820
Bhuyan, M. R., & Zhang, Y. (2019). Diversity of Children’s Independent Mobility in Dhaka. Urbanisation, 4(2), 59–76. https://doi.org/10.1177/2455747119889915
Bhuyan, M. R. (2016). Accessibility of children’s play spaces in Dhanmondi: A syntactic study, Context: Design, Architecture, Culture. Contextbd. https://contextbd.com/accessibility-of-children-play-spaces-in-dhanmondi...
Bhuyan, M. R. (2016). Architecture and its urban context: Place, path and people, Context: Design, Architecture, Culture. Contextbd. https://contextbd.com/architecture-and-its-urban-context-place-path-and-...
International Conference Proceedings/Papers/ Presentations (Most Recent)
Bhuyan, M. R.., Ho, Darren., and Yuen, Belinda. (2021). Contested active mobility infrastructure: Diversity of uses and experiences of walkable neighbourhoods in Singapore, Paper presented at the International Symposium on Reimagining Public Spaces and Built Environments in the Post-Pandemic World, University of Alberta, Canada 9-12 December 2021).
Bhuyan, M. R.. (2018). Rethinking relationship between children’s play and configuration of urban physical environments in Dhaka, Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Green architecture (ICGrA), 12-15 July 2018, Dhaka.
Bhuyan, M. R.., and Zhang, Ye. (2014). Accessibility of Play Spaces in Dhanmondi Residential Area, Dhaka, Bangladesh, e-proceedings of the Great Asian Streets Symposium (GASS), NUS, Singapore (11-12 December 2014).
Bhuyan, M. R.., and Skelton, Tracey. (2013). Planned housing environments and children’s outdoor play in Singapore: Enhancing Child Friendliness, e-proceedings of the SB13 Singapore: Realizing Sustainability in the Tropics, Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, (9-10 September 2013). PP. 358-365, ISBN: 978-981-07-7377-9. Web link: http://rpsonline.com.sg/rps2prod/sb13/pdf/039.pdf
Heng, Chye Kiang., Lai-Choo, Malone Lee., Naguran, Mallika., Bhuyan, M. R.., Pundir, Manju Baisoya., Srinivasan, Satyanarayan. (2013a). Eco-cities Revisited: Interpreting eco-cities for high density environments in Asia from the dual perspectives of governance and market. Paper presented (Presenter: Dr Malone Lee Lai Choo) at the 12th International Congress of Asian Planning Schools Association, National Taiwan University, Taipei.
Heng, Chye Kiang., Lai-Choo, Malone Lee., Naguran, Mallika., Bhuyan, M. R.., Pundir, Manju Baisoya., Srinivasan, Satyanarayan. (2013b). Developing an urban indicator system for assessing sustainability performance of High-Density Townships. Paper presented (presenter: Manju B. Pundir) at the 12th International Congress of Asian Planning Schools Association, National Taiwan University, Taipei.
Peer Reviewed Web Post Notes
Yuen, Belinda., Bhuyan, M. R.., Močnik, Špela., & Winston, Yap. (2021a). Six principles of dementia-friendly neighbourhoods. Urban Redevelopment Authority: Designing Our Age-Friendly City. 1 February, Retrieved from https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/Get-Involved/Plan-Our-Future-SG/Innovat...
Bhuyan, M. R.. (2021b). Planning and Design for walkable environment: Prototyping and tech-inspired interventions at various scales. Lee Li Ming Programme for Ageing Urbanism, LKY CIC, Notes on Age Friendly and Dementia Friendly Cities, Web Note 8. Retrieved from https://lkycic.sutd.edu.sg/research/resources/.
Bhuyan, M. R.. (2020). Maptionnaire as A PPGIS Digital Survey Tool: Application potentials with children and older adults in Asia. Lee Li Ming Programme for Ageing Urbanism, LKY CIC, Notes on Age Friendly and Dementia Friendly Cities, Web Note 8. Retrieved from https://lkycic.sutd.edu.sg/research/resources/.
Bhuyan, M. R.. (2019a). Falkirk: The best walkable neighbourhood in the UK. Lee Li Ming Programme for Ageing Urbanism, LKY CIC, Notes on Age Friendly and Dementia Friendly Cities, Web Note 5. Retrieved from https://lkycic.sutd.edu.sg/research/resources/.
Bhuyan, M. R.. (2019b). Intergenerational space for healthy ageing in Asia: Hong Kong and Singapore. Lee Li Ming Programme for Ageing Urbanism, LKY CIC, Notes on Age Friendly and Dementia Friendly Cities, Web Note 7. Retrieved from https://lkycic.sutd.edu.sg/research/resources/.
Bhuyan, M. R.. (2019c). Intergenerational space for healthy ageing: US and UK. Lee Li Ming Programme for Ageing Urbanism, LKY CIC, Notes on Age Friendly and Dementia Friendly Cities, Web Note 5. Retrieved from https://lkycic.sutd.edu.sg/research/resources/.
Newspaper/Media (Selected)
Bhuyan, M. R. (2022): Expert view in Singapore in Red, Green & Blue. A Channel News Asia Documentary (aired on 20 February, 10:00pm). https://www.channelnewsasia.com/.../singapore-red-2509211
Bhuyan, M. R. (2014, February 15). A cry for playgrounds in Dhaka. The Daily Star. https://www.thedailystar.net/a-cry-for-playgrounds-in-dhaka-11342
Bhuyan, M. R. (2014, June 29). Let children have playgrounds. New Age.
Bhuyan, M. R. (2014, June 29). Unhindered car movement: what about pedestrians? New Age.
Ahmed, A. S. M., Joarder, S., Bhuiyan, M. R., Shafi, S. A., Imam, M., Islam, A., & Moniruzzaman, M. (2009, July 24). Low cost housing for the urban poor in Dhaka City. The Daily Star. https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-98455
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Professional Activities
+–Academic and Research appointments
2022-Present
• Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Brac University
2021-2022
• Research Fellow II, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design
• Supervisor, Master of Science in Urban Policy, Planning (MUSPP) programme, Singapore University of Technology and Design
2019-2021
• Research Fellow I, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design
2018-2019
• Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design
2014-2015
• Teaching Assistant (Part-time), Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore
2012-2013
• Research Assistant, Centre for Sustainable Asian Cities, National University of Singapore
2008-2011
• Lecturer, Department of Architecture, University of Asia PacificProfessional appointments
2015-present
• Founder and Advisor, URBAN Ltd., Dhaka
2009-2011
• Architectural Consultant (part-time), Architectural design team, University of Asia Pacific
o Notable Design Projects: UAP City-Campus Design @ Indira Road, Dhaka. Chief architect: Ar Shamsul Wares.
2008-2009
• Architect (part-time), Aesthetes, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh
o Notable Design Projects: Vacation House @ Savar; Angel City @ Dhaka
2007-2008
• Architect, Bashirul Haq Associates, Indira Road, Dhaka, Bangladesh
o Notable Design Projects: Sunbeams School @ Uttara, Dhaka; MIDAS Centre @ Dhanmondi Dhaka; East West University Campus @ Aftabnagar Dhaka; Chayanat Building @ Dhanmondi Dhaka.
2006-2007
• Design Consultant, Designing and Planning Cell Ltd., Dhaka
2008-present
• Registered Architect, Capital Development Authority, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Associate Member, Institute of Architects Bangladesh
2021-present
• Member, Editorial board, LLMAU web post notes, LKYCIC, SUTD
2020-present
• Editor, Context: Design, Architecture, Culture -
Courses Taught
+–-Design Studios
ARC 402: Design Studio VIII
ARC 302: Design Studio VI
ARC 301: Design Studio V
ARC401: Design Studio VII
ARC 501: Design Studio IX-Theoretical Courses
ARC 331: Urban Design-Sessional Modules
ARC 511: Seminar I
ARC 312: Working Drawing II -
Conferences, Talks, and Speaking Engagements
+–Invited Talks, Panels, and Presentations (Selected)
- 2022, 5 November: Discussant. Colloquial for developing a post-graduate programme, at the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology.
- 2022: Speaker. “Contested active mobility infrastructure in Singapore”, Brown Bag Lunchtime Talk, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 24 March.
- 2021: Speaker. “Mixed Methods Research – Design, Integration, Discussion”, Mini-Master Class, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 26 November.
- 2018: Speaker. “Focus Group Discussion as a Qualitative Research Method”, Mini-Master Class, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 26 November.
- 2018: Speaker. “Beyond the playground: Relationship between children’s play and the configuration of urban physical environment in Dhaka”, Brown Bag Lunchtime Talk, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 17 October.
- 2018: International Conference Speaker. “Rethinking relationship between children’s play and configuration of urban physical environments in Dhaka”, at the 2nd International Conference on Green architecture (ICGrA), Singapore, 12-15 July.
- 2015: Seminar Speaker. “Accessibility of play spaces for children in Dhaka”, at the Architectural Think Tank (ArTT), Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 22 April.
- 2014b: Seminar Speaker. “Interpretations of play and Its spatial manifestations: Play, playground and network”, at the Architectural Think Tank (ArTT), Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 12 November.
- 2014a: Seminar Speaker. “Spatial configuration of playgrounds in the city: Exploring urban network analysis tools”, at the Architectural Think Tank (ArTT), Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 16 April.
- 2013c: International Conference Speaker. “Planned housing environments and children’s outdoor play in Singapore: Enhancing child friendliness?”, at the SB13 Singapore: Realizing Sustainability in the Tropics, Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, 9-10 September.
- 2013b: Graduate Forum Speaker: “Planned housing environments and children’s outdoor play in Singapore: Is child-friendliness possible?”, at the 8th Singapore Graduate Forum on Southeast Asian Studies, at the Asian Research Institute (ARI), National University Singapore, Singapore, 24-26 July.
- 2013a: International Conference Speaker. “Towards a child friendly urban living environment: A proposal for Dhanmondi Residential Area in Dhaka, Bangladesh”, at the 3rd International Conference on Geographies of Children, Young People and Families (CGCYPF), Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 11-13 July.
- 2012: Poster Presenter. “Merging theory into practice: Ecological urban design”, U21 Early Career Researchers Workshop, hosted by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China, 5-6 December 2012.
- 2014c: Conference Speaker. “Accessibility of play spaces in Dhanmondi Residential Area, Dhaka, Bangladesh”, at the Great Asian Streets Symposium (GASS), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore, 11-12 December.
- 2022, 5 November: Discussant. Colloquial for developing a post-graduate programme, at the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology.
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Awards, Honors
+–• RSGI Research Grant award, Brac University. 2023.
• Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design. 2018 – 2022.
• PhD Research Scholarship (Full), National University of Singapore. 2013 – 2018.
• Tan Chay Bing Scholarship (Full), National University of Singapore. 2011-2012.
• NUS Young Career Researcher Representative at the “U21 Early Career Researchers Workshop”, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. 2012. -
Membership
+–-Associate Member. Institute of Architects Bangladesh. 2008 – Present.
-Chair, Research, publication, and conference committee, Department of Architecture, Brac University. 2022 – present.
-Member, Arch-Kids Committee, Department of Architecture, Brac University. 2022 – present.
-Member, Fabrication Lab Committee, Department of Architecture, Brac University. 2022 – present. -
Research Areas/Interests
+–-Wellbeing Architecture and Urban Design – Child-friendly city, Ageing urbanism
-Mixed Methods Research – Design Research, participatory design
-Urban Spatial Analysis – Space Syntax, Walkability
-Urban Sustainability and Resilience – Environmental planning, Water-sensitive designResearch Projects (Most recent)
• “Walkable Environments for Persons Living with Dementia”. Research Seed Grant Initiative, Brac University. Role: Principal Investigator.
• “Does neighbourhood walkability influence girls’ independent mobility in Dhaka?”. Research Seed Grant Initiative, Brac University. Role: Co-Principal Investigator. 2022-Present.
• “AI in Health – Urban Intervention: Health-Optimized Social-Urban Interaction via AI”, SGP Healthcare Sector Project, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design. Role: Research Fellow. 2019-2022.
• “Socio-spatial Reconfigurations of the City in a Post-Covid World”, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities Project, Singapore University of Technology and Design. Role: Research Fellow. 2020-2022.
• “Visual Arts Participation among Older Adults in Singapore”, LLMAU project, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design. Role: Research Fellow. 2019-2021.
• “Innovative Planning and Design of Age-friendly Neighbourhoods”, Land and Livability National Innovation Challenge, Ministry of National Development, Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design. Role: Post-Doctoral Fellow. 2018-2019.
• “Children’s Play and Its Relationship with Urban Physical Environments in Dhaka”, PhD Research Scholarship, National University of Singapore. Role: Principal Investigator (Doctoral Dissertation). 2013-2018.
• “Urban Indicator System for Sustainable High-Density Township Projects”, Ministry of National Development, Singapore, Centre for Sustainable Asian Cities, National University of Singapore. Role: Research Assistant. 2012 – 2013.
• “Children’s outdoor play and housing environments in Singapore: Is child-friendliness possible?”, Tan Chey Bing Scholarship, National University of Singapore. Role: Principal Investigator (Masters Dissertation). 2011-2012.
“Study on Impact of the built environment on community bonding”, Ministry of National Development, Singapore, Centre for Sustainable Asian Cities, National University of Singapore. Role: Research Assistant. 2011 – 2012.Graduate student research supervision:
2022. Tao Li Ting. “What’s in a Name? Imagined Geographies of Condominiums in Singapore”
Master of Science in Urban Science, Policy and Planning. SUTD.
2021. Gong Hailun. “An Evaluation of State-led Tourism Gentrification Projects and Urban Renewal Policies in Old Neighborhood in Chengdu, China”. Master of Science in Urban Science, Policy and Planning. SUTD.
2020. Teo Yang Rui. System Analyst, Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore
“A Tool for The Observation of Older Adult Outdoor Activities on Urban Paths”, Master of Science in Urban Science, Policy and Planning, Singapore University of Technology and Design
Master of Science in Urban Science, Policy and Planning. SUTD. -
Reviewer
+–-Climate Resilience and Sustainability (2023). Wiley.
-Conference Papers: International Conference on STEM and the Fourth Industrial Revolution 2022, Khulna University.
-Book Chapters: Next50: Critical-creative Perspectives on the Future of the Built Environment in Bangladesh, Mallick et al. (2022, nd). https://www.next50bangladesh.com/
-Sustainability, MDPI (August 2021).
-Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs, Alanya Hamdullah Emin Paşa Üniversitesi (July 2021).
-Sustainability, MDPI (July 2021).
-Sage Open, Sage Publications (July 2021).
-Children’s Geographies, Taylor and Francis Group (March 2021).
-Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, Taylor and Francis Group (February 2021).
-Geoforum, Elsevier (February 2021).
-Geoforum, Elsevier (November 2020)
Journal of Healthcare and Research, Asploro (September 2020).
-eTropic: Electronic Journal of Studies in the Tropics, James Cook University (April 2020).
-Children’s Geographies, Taylor and Francis Group (March 2020). See detailed records at: https://publons.com/researcher/3370671/md-rashed-bhuyan/metrics/ -
Workshop/Seminar/Conferences
+–-Workshop on “Translating research into age-friendly planning and design guidelines”, co-organizer, 21 May 2018, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore. 2018.