Dr. Sheikh Serajul Hakim
Professor

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Sheikh Serajul Hakim is a Professor of Architecture at Khulna University, Bangladesh. He received his PhD from the National University of Singapore’s Centre for Advanced Studies in Architecture (CASA). He teaches ‘Global History of Architecture’, ‘Colonial Architecture of Bengal’, and ‘History and Theory of Human Settlements’, and conducts design studios at the MSc and undergraduate Urban Design programs. He has been a keynote speaker in several local and international events, published books and book chapters, and written extensively in journals and newspapers. Key areas of research interest for Prof. Hakim include, but are not limited to: ‘politics, agency and historical transformation of human settlements’; ‘climate change, built heritage and resilience’.


  • PhD in Architecture (National University of Singapore)
  • MSc in Housing & Urban Development (IHS, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
  • B. Arch (BUET, Dhaka)

1. Politics, agency and spatio-physical settlement systems in the context of transitioning third-world cities

2. Climate change, coastal settlement systems and resilient design/planning

3. Urban built heritage, spatial politics and production of ordinary space

4. Water, health(care) and architecture



Current Research Project/Collaboration

SL Title Research Role Awarded Date Completion Date Funding Agency
1 Facilitating Livelihoods through Advancing Smart Habitats in Peri-Urban Bangladesh (with Utrecht University, Delft University, Institute of Housing Studies, Erasmus University, Rotterdam) Co-Principal Investigator July 2025 Ongoing International
2 Exploring the possibility of retrofitting sustainable water technology(ies) for coastal housing rehabilitation projects: The cases of Ashrayan-II, Mongla Principal Investigator June 2023 Ongoing National
3 The 5A’s Principles of Adequate Housing: Comparative research on housing justice between Bangladesh and the Philippines (in collaboration with Institute of Housing Studies, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Leiden University, Delft University and Ateneo de Manila University, the Philippines) Co-Principal Investigator March 2023 March 2024 International
4 Climate change-induced displacement affecting female migrants’ access to livelihoods in Asian cities: Improving food and water security in urban upgrading and resettlement (in collaboration with Institute of Housing Studies, Erasmus University, Rotterdam) Co-Principal Investigator June 2021 June 2022 International
5 A Study of Local Ecological Culture (LEC) of Selected Settlements of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Region Principal Investigator June 2022 July 2023 National
6 Assessing the Energy Consumption of Ethnic Dwelling Units Due to Climate Change: Toward Integrating Renewable Energy for Sustainable Dwelling and Settlement Planning in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (with BUET, Dhaka) Principal Investigator June 2022 July 2023 National
7 Spatio-Political (Policy) Framework for Rebuilding Post-Disaster Communities Following Aila (with BUET, Dhaka) Principal Investigator June 2016 July 2017 National

Name & address of employer

Period

Position & responsibilities

Sector

Registrar

Khulna University

Khulna, Bangladesh

https://ku.ac.bd/

December 2019 to Present  

Professor (Grade 2)

Architecture Discipline

Science, Engineering and Technology School

Khulna University

Khulna, Bangladesh

Higher Education

December 2015 to December 2019

Professor (Grade 3)

Architecture Discipline

Science, Engineering and Technology School

Khulna University

Khulna, Bangladesh

Higher Education

December 2009 to December 2015

Associate Professor

Architecture Discipline

Science, Engineering and Technology School

Khulna University

Khulna, Bangladesh

Higher Education

December 2005 to December 2009

Assistant Professor

Architecture Discipline

Science, Engineering and Technology School

Khulna University

Khulna, Bangladesh

Higher Education

December 2003 to December 2005

Lecturer

Architecture Discipline

Science, Engineering and Technology School

Khulna University

Khulna, Bangladesh

 

Teaching

Research

Ex-Assistant Director, Students’ Affairs

Ex-Member (elected), Teachers’ Association

Higher Education

Registrar

The University of Asia Pacific

Road#4/A

Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka

Bangladesh

https://www.uap-bd.edu/

March 2002 to February 2003

Lecturer (part-time)

Department of Architecture

The University of Asia Pacific

Dhaka, Bangladesh

 

Teaching

Higher Education

CEO

Neoformation Architects

2/7, Block - F

Lalmatia, Dhaka - 1207

Phone: +880-2-9118702

https://neoformationarchitects.com/

March 2003 to December 2003

Associate Architect

 

Consultancy and construction of various Architectural and Urban design Projects, primarily in Dhaka and other prominent cities of Bangladesh

Private

  • −       Secondary School Scholarship
  • −       University Merit scholarship
  • −       NUFFIC Fellowship, the Netherlands
  • −       National University of Singapore Graduate Research Scholarship, Singapore

No Data Available

coming soon...

 

Book/Book Chapter

 

1.   S. S. Hakim, A. K. Podder and M. T. Hossain (forthcoming). “On the Water’s Edge: Rural Migrants and the Continuum of Livelihood Vulnerabilities in the Waterfront Informal Settlements of Khulna”. LIVING WITH WATER - Development & Urbanism in South Asia. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003610069  


2.   S. S. Hakim and S. K. Ahmed 2022. “The Intermediate City: Context, Pluralism and Planning Dilemmas” In: F. Rosso, D. Morea and D. O. Pribadi (eds.), Innovations in Green Urbanization and Alternative Renewable Energy, Springer, pp. 77-89. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07381-6
  

3.    S. S. Hakim and A. K. Podder 2022. “Postcolonial Water(front): Land regulations, bureaucracy and urban planning in Khulna. In: M. Rahman (ed.), Handbook of Waterfront Cities and Urbanism (Chapter 15)”, Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003204565
   

4.    S. S. Hakim and K. Ahmed, 2018, Reimagining Benapole: Environmental priorities for its sustainable urban future, UDD, GoB, Dhaka.

 

5.    S. S. Hakim, 2007, Ecotourism and the Sundarbans: Alternative Policies for Development, UGC

      (University Grants Commission, The National Commission for funding and managing Universities in Bangladesh), Dhaka

 

Journal Papers

 

1.   S. S. Hakim and A. K. Podder (forthcoming). “State-led housing paradigms and counter-urbanism from below: the case of resettlement projects from Khulna, Bangladesh”. Trialogue

 

2.    S. S. Hakim and A. K. Podder 2025. (En)countering (im)permanence: marginal home-making as critical urban practice. City, 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/13604813.2024.2439725   

 

3.    S. S. Hakim, S. Akter and M. A. Islam 2024. Housing Infrastructure and Women in Care: COVID-19 Experiences from Urban Informal Settlements of Khulna. Journal of Urban Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jum.2024.09.006


4.    S. S. Hakim and M. A. Islam 2022. “SUSTAINABLE WATER TECHNOLOGIES FOR HOUSING REHABILITATION IN COASTAL BANGLADESH”. Khulna University Studies, ICSTEM4IR-22/0144, pp. 817-831. https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.2022.ICSTEM4IR.0144-se  

 

5.    A. Parvin, S. S. Hakim and M. A. Islam, 2022. Policy, practice and way of life discord in resettlement projects: the case of Ashrayan, Bangladesh, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, Vol. 77 (2022), 103073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103073  

 

6.    M. A. Islam, M. M. Setu and S. S. Hakim, 2022. Possibilities of a Gender-responsive Infrastructure for Vulnerable Women’s Livelihood Resilience in the Rural-Coastal Bangladesh, Built Environment Project and Asset Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-12-2020-0190  

 

7.    A. A. Z. Evan, S. S. Hakim and M. M. P. Rana 2022. Camp-Life and Social Integration: Case of the Displaced Biharis in Khulna, Bangladesh, Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/15562948.2022.2032905 

 

8.    S. A. Surma, S.S. Hakim and M. S. R. Lushan, 2021. Planning for Pandemic Resilience: COVID-19 experience from urban slums in Khulna, Bangladesh, Journal of Urban Management, Vol.10(4), pp. 325-344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jum.2021.08.003  

 

9.   A. K. M. K. Islam and S. S. Hakim 2021. “Beyond circulation: forms, quality and performance of urban streets”, Journal of Architecture, Department of Architecture BUET, Vol. 18(1), pp. 67-80

 

10.   Hakim, S. S., lslam, M. A., Akram, A. B., Deepa, H. P., Doni, N. S., Ara, I., and Debnath, N. 2020. PHYSICAL UPGRADING OF HOUSING IN INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS: PRIORITIES FOR THE EXTREME POOR. PLAN PLUS, 10(1), pp. 37-58. https://doi.org/10.54470/planplus.v10i1.3    

 

11.   A. K. Podder, S. S. Hakim and S. P. Bosu 2018. “Ordinary Heritage”, ArchNet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, Vol. 12(2), pp. 334-346.  http://dx.doi.org/10.26687/archnet-ijar.v12i2.1534

 

10. S. S. Hakim, K. Ahmed and S. P. Bosu, 2017. “HISTORICISM IN ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION IN BANGLADESH”, Khulna University Studies, Vol. (1 & 2), pp. 107-128. https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.2017.14.1and2.1634-E

 

12. S. S. Hakim and A. B. Biswas 2015. “The publicness of public servant spaces”, Protibesh, Journal of the Department of Architecture BUET, Vol. 15(1),  pp. 55-67

 

13. S. S. Hakim and J. L. Ee Man 2014. “Scarcity, control and negotiations: an interpretation of urban form in Khulna”, Planum. The Journal of Urbanism, Vol. 2(29), pp. 83-100.

 

14. F. K. Shuvo and S. S. Hakim 2013. “A Proposed Framework for Regenerating Urban Green in Dhaka”, Journal of Bangladesh Institute of Planners, Vol. 6, December, pp. 13-22.

 

15. A. K. M. K. Islam, H. Rahman, S. S. Hakim and T. K. Dhar 2010. “Node Preference pattern in assuming future growth for an urbane: A look into the case of Jessore town”, Plan Plus, Planning  journal of Khulna University

 

16.  S. S. Hakim 2009. “Sustainability of Assisted Shelter Projects in Post-cyclone Communities: The Southkhali Case, Bangladesh”, BRAC University Journal Vol. 6(1), pp. 85-95. http://hdl.handle.net/10361/456

 

17.  F. Mallick, M. A. Naqi, A. K. M. K. Islam and S. S. Hakim 2008. “User Point Perspective as a process for Urban (Re)-development – the case of Riverfront CBD in Khulna city”, Khulna University Studies, Vol. 9(1), pp. 25–34.    https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.2008.9.1.0707-E

 

18. S. S. Hakim 2007. “Prospect and exigency for Urban Regeneration: The case of Re-appraisal of Rivers in Urban Bangladesh”, Protibesh, Journal of the Department of Architecture BUET, Vol. 11(2)

 

Conference Papers 


1.    S. S. Hakim and S. K. Ahmed, 2020. Re-imagining the Intermediate City. International Conference on Green Urbanism (GU), 4th Edition (Online), Roma Tre University, 25 November 2020.

 

2.    Hakim, S. S. and A. Podder, 2019. The Politics of ‘Home’ in Urban Informal Settlements. ARCASIA FORUM 19, Architecture in a Changing Landscape. Dhaka.   

 

3.    S. S. Hakim, 2017, “Environmental Responsibility and Re-doing Architecture”, Environmental Responsibilities of Architects and Local Practice, Seminar Proceedings, 17 February, MIST, Dhaka

 

4.    A. Podder, S. S. Hakim and S. Bosu, 2017, “Ordinary heritage: a case of Boro Bazaar, Khulna, Bangladesh”, 10th FARU International Research Conference, 8-10 December 2017, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

 

5.    S. S. Hakim, S. Akter and R. Khan 2016, “The death of Urban Street: Effect of planning, pragmatism and the architect’s typology”, Great Asian Street Symposium (GASS) 2016, 12-13 December, National University of Singapore

 

6.    S. S. Hakim, S, S, Ahmed and S. P. Bosu 2015, “ASHRAYAN (SHELTER): A TALE OF SOCIO-SPATIAL NEGOTIATION BY THE DISPLACED”, CUI’15 III. CONTEMPORARY URBAN ISSUES CONFERENCE, November 19-21, Istanbul

 

7.    S. S. Hakim 2013, “Scarcity, Control and Third World Urban Form”, PhD Conference: Scarcity and Creativity in the Built Environment, HERA (Humanities in European Research Area), 26-28 February, University of Westminster, London

 

8.    E. G. L’Heureaux, I. Ahmed and S. S. Hakim 2011, “Opportunistic Crises: A Hydrological Urbanism for Singapore”, International Forum on Urbanism (IFoU), 24-26 February, Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore, Singapore

 

9.    S. S. Hakim, A. K. Podder and H. S. Khan 2008, “Urban Saturation and the Crisis of Identity: Reclaiming a Historic Street - The Case of Buckland Bund, Dhaka”, 7th mAAN International Conference 2009 23-25 February, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi

 

10.  A. F. M. Ashraful Alam, S. S. Hakim and A. K. Podder 2008, “Crisis in Spatial Order of Public Buildings: The Experience from Khulna City,” Great Asian Street Symposium (GASS) 5-7 December, Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore, Singapore

 

11.  S. S. Hakim and S. K. Ahmed 2007, “Search for sustainability in challenging rural scenarios: A study on income generation and its effect on households adjacent to the Sundarbans”, International seminar on Architecture for the Economically disadvantaged (AED) 23-24 March, Department of Architecture, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka

 

Newspaper/Periodical Articles


1.  S. S. Hakim 2022. “DAP 2022-35: critiques & way forward”.  The Financial Express, Anniversary Issue

 

2.  S. S. Hakim 2020. “Waste to energy: Prospects for the smaller cities in Bangladesh”. Energy and Power, 16 September 2020

 

3.  S. S. Hakim and F. K. Shuvo 2012. “Greying of Dhaka and compensative greening”, The Financial Express, Anniversary Issue

 

4.  S. S. Hakim 2011. “Our Urbanism: in retrospect and rendition”, The Financial Express, Anniversary Issue

 

5.  S. S. Hakim 2007. “Could Quake’ Shake the Nation’s Capital”, The Dhaka Courier Vol. 23 (43)


Aesthetics and Visual Arts

COURSE SUMMARY 

The course aims to develop a nuanced appreciation of design as a culturally embedded, multidimensional creative process. It hence introduces students to aesthetics and visual arts as the foundational elements of any creative practice, which includes architectural understanding too. Through lectures, discussions, presentations and visual exploration, students will critically engage with the key concepts, historical developments, and cultural perspectives shaping aesthetic experience. Emphasis is placed on the sensory, formal, and conceptual dimensions of art and design, fostering analytical, reflective, and creative skills. Students will explore the interrelationship between design/architecture and other visual art forms, enhancing their ability to interpret, evaluate, and express aesthetic ideas. 

COURSE OBJECTIVE

  • Develop critical awareness of aesthetic elements in art and design, fostering sensitivity to visual and auditory experiences and their role in shaping architectural thinking.
  • Introduce key concepts, worldviews, and historical perspectives on aesthetics and visual arts, enabling students to reflect on how these shape their understanding and appreciation of art.
  • Encourage analytical and creative engagement with visual and sensory forms, promoting interpretation, cultural understanding, and creative thinking about art and design.
  • Enable students to explore and express connections between architecture, visual arts, and other creative practices, developing their ability to generate visual or conceptual responses.

Running

Architecture: History, Theory, and Criticism

Course Summary

This course provides the necessary understanding of the precedence and context of architectural design and the evaluative skills to not only improve on the past but to engage in constructive dialogue for the present and future. It imparts a sense of judgment and introduces them to the methods of design criticism to facilitate a critical appraisal of the design process (e.g. context, conceptualisation, contextualization, and reasoning concerning realising/making/building). With an explicit grounding in the history of architecture and its allied disciplines, the course expands students’ knowledge and abilities to understand, discuss and critically evaluate design works and strategies. 

Course Objectives

● Value history, theory and criticism as an essential and deeply correlated triad in architectural thinking and practice

● Situate architectural design, construction and materiality in the context of the socio-technical climate of the past 

● Appraise the historical role of theory in shaping the thinking and practice in the discipline of architecture 

● Prepare for the comprehension, evaluation and production of architectural theory and criticism 


Running
  • Aesthetics and Visual Arts
  • Architecture: History, Theory, and Criticism