Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh 6.23

Dhanmandi (Bengali: ধানমন্ডি) is one of the most crowded planned area in Dhaka city. Its origins can be traced back to the late 1950s, beginning as an affluent residential area, and over the decades evolving into a miniature city, where one can find everything from hospitals to malls, schools, banks, offices and universities.

Geography
Dhanmandi is located in the Dhaka District of Bangladesh. It has 33451 houses and a total area of 9.74 km².
History
Dhanmandi has been traditionally known as an up market, affluent residential area. After the liberation war, it primarily consisted of two storied houses and fostered a quiet neighborhood environment. More recently, migration issues, aggressive real estate business policies, and increasing numbers of schools and shopping malls have transformed its quiet residential status to that of a more congested, commercial area.
It is in Dhanmandi where the founding father of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, lived and was assassinated, along with most of his family, in 1975.
Features
Dhanmandi nowadays is more of a commercial area than a residential area. Although there is a growing number of apartment complexes’ replacing the original two-storied houses, there are many non-residential establishments on almost every street, most of which are schools, universities, hospitals, restaurants and shopping centers.
The increasing number of commercial establishments, coupled with the lack of adequate parking facilities, has given rise to a tremendous amount of traffic congestion, especially during the mornings and afternoons when children are dropped off and picked up from school, and during the evenings when shoppers from all over Dhaka throng the various shopping centers.
Dhanmandi is well known for its lake. The lakeside walkway is one of the most popular destinations in Dhaka and is usually crowded with people during the evenings. One of the more prominent features of the lakeside walkway is the Rabindra Sharobar, an open air amphitheater near the Road 8 Bridge, where dramas, concerts, and various cultural programs are held from time to time by both amateur and well-known artistes, especially during major festivals and holidays.
Snack stalls along the lakeside, particularly on Road 2 (opposite the entrance to Bangladesh Rifles), Road 5 (on an island accessible only by foot bridges from two sides), Road 8 (near the amphitheater) and Road 32 (opposite the residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman), offer a variety of tasty and low-cost snacks and beverages, and attract thousands of city dwellers every day.
During festivals such as Pahela Vaishakh, Independence Day and Eid, moving around Dhanmandi turns out to be nearly impossible as scores of people crowd the area.
INGO
UK based Practical action Bangladesh office at Road#04, House#12/B
Banks
Almost every bank operating in the country has an outlet in Dhanmandi. Foreign banks such as Citi, HSBC and Standard Chartered also have branches here, with HSBC and Standard Chartered having multiple ATM booths within the area.
Real Estate
Real Estate in Dhanmandi has seen a tornado of soaring prices over the last 20 years. The growth rate of the price is 331%, the highest in Dhaka since 1995.An average acre of land in Dhanmandi will cost about 3,400 core taka,(450 million USD) according to the 2010 property records and public records information by Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh.
Education
Over the last fifteen years a large number of schools, colleges and private universities have been developed around the area. Many of the well-known English medium schools in the country, such as Oxford International School, South Breeze, Sunbeams, Mastermind, Maple Leaf, Marie Curie, Scholastica (Junior Section), Dhanmandi Tutorial, Sunny dale, and European Standard School (ESS) are located in Dhanmandi. Colleges Dhaka City College Among the universities, the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, United International University, Eastern University, The People's University Of Bangladesh, Stamford University, the University of Asia Pacific and Best Link Future Development Foundation (Head Campus) (Computer Education) are the most well known. There are also pupil make their coaching for O' levels and A’ levels.
Restaurants
Local Stores
Food: American Burger • BFC • Helvetia • Dhanshiri • Dominoes Pizza • Midnight Sun • VOOT • Kasturi
Clothes: Aarong • Khan Brother's • Kay Kraft • Grameen Check

Others: Boi Bichitra •Hyankosh • Ecstasy ltd. • Time Zone (Watches)
They are all over the locality be it small or big. As of recently, hookah bars are being attached to most restaurants to draw in young crowds. Some prominent restaurants which include hookah bars are Decagon Cafe, B151 Leisure Lounge, D Pavement and H2O. All established local and international fast food chains in the country have outlets in Dhanmandi.
International stores
Food: Al Biak • Baskin-Robbins •Coffee World * KFC • Pizza Corner •Pizza Hut • Nandos •

Clothes: Levi's • Dockers • Nike •

Others: Bata •Archies Ltd. •Hallmark • Nokia Care