Old Dhaka Environment

Old Alley is a real-time 3D environment created in Unreal Engine 5, inspired by the vibrant and chaotic charm of Old Dhaka, the historic heart of Bangladesh’s capital city.

The main purpose of this project was to design an honest representation of the old Dhaka town by highlighting all the aspects of the place that make it unique. Motivated by the dense visual and functional elements typical for South Asian urban neighbourhoods, this scene features aged textures, sign layers, utility wires, and cluttered streets, all playing a significant role in creating a narrative. The task was to combine all these elements together into a coherent whole that would tell the story of the place yet still be clear and well-composed. 

The environment was designed based on the principle of controlled density, which took into account the structured complexity of Old Dhaka’s street layout. Using recurring patterns within architecture and placing daily objects where they should go, a workflow was devised by designing a series of modular parts, such as balconies, windows, shop fronts, walls, and roofs. As a result, it became possible to create an entire scene in an effective manner, using only several components that were able to produce many different combinations. 

The props hold an important part in shaping the personality and narratives of the setting. Each piece ranging from rickshaws and CNG three-wheeled motorized vehicles to market stands, signage boards, and roadside carts have been picked up to depict the reality and personality of the Old Dhaka region. While the vehicles serve as major props for anchoring the visuals, minor props such as poster, advertisements, graffiti, weathering effects, and litter on the ground further add to the believability of the setting by highlighting its constant use by the inhabitants. 

The lighting became one of the main components of the story, as the time of day to dusk was captured by the interaction of cold background colours and warm artificial lighting. The interior of shops, streetlights, and window illumination become the main focal points which help to create a three-dimensional effect for a better understanding. It is interesting how the author managed to use contrast in narrow alleyways, where there were shadows and bright spots of light. Atmosphere and lighting in this shot give a cinematic feel and at the same time it looks real. 

One of the goals of the design project was to maintain cultural authenticity in Old Dhaka by emphasizing the frequently overlooked qualities of South Asian cities. This would be achieved through the incorporation of elements such as the Bengali signage, local advertising, mosque minarets, roadside food vendors, and recognizable modes of transport found in Bangladesh. The design aims not only to incorporate visual components but also to evoke a feeling or mood that would help create the essence of this space.