Evolution of Rooftops

Rewind back a decade or two and you would see that Dhaka's rooftops were full of life. Afternoons would be spent lounging around on them, chatting with neighbours or playing badminton. At night, the youngsters would take their guitars up to roofs and sing under the twinkling stars. The rooftops would be decorated with eclectic collections of colourful plants. In the right season, different varieties of achaars would be left to bask in the sunlight and children would manoeuvre their way around them wielding bright kites. 

If you look around from your rooftop now, you will be presented with a much bleaker sight. The rooftops are clear displays of the lack of life; empty and dilapidated. The concrete floors hardly ever have good finishing and the walls seem to cry out for a lick of paint. Some seem to have transformed their rooftops into makeshift warehouses, filling them with rotting mattresses and broken sanitary ware. Very rarely do we see a plant or two and those are often wilting too. Humans are an even rarer sight.

In our busy and fast-paced life we often cannot afford to invest time in beautifying our rooftops. However, we must realise that it is essential for a healthy life to have space to breathe in fresh air and enjoy an uninterrupted view. In the concrete jungle that Dhaka has become it is incredibly difficult to find such a space.

Yes, there are those rare parks and maybe your office has a nice roof or your school has a beautiful courtyard; but it is still not home. While initially your rooftop may seem like nothing more than a dull slab of concrete, with a keen eye for design and a thirst for outdoor relaxation you can transform your rooftop into the perfect outdoor haven. 

Go green 
Hanging flower baskets and potted plants are the simplest options. Buy a few from a nursery near your house or try out BRAC Kanon for a wider variety. If you really want to put your green thumb to the test, make your own vegetable patch and grow your own fresh vegetables. However, make sure you make the floor of your patch waterproof to prevent dampening. Also, take your neighbours' permission before starting this project to avert their wrath; bonus points if you can convince them to join you in your endeavour. 

Though solar panels can be very expensive, it is definitely an investment worth thinking about. With the long hours of intense sunlight prevalent in Bangladesh, solar panels can be a perfect source for clean and free energy. Make sure you do a good amount of research before making your investment and place the panels on top of a tank or concrete canopy so that they are not in your way while they harness energy.

Add a little shade 
The abundant sunlight can also have a negative effect; whether your building is four stories or ten stories high, your rooftop is 

going to get hot. Add a large umbrella to beat the heat. If you are more ambitious, you can construct a concrete canopy and let beautiful creepers wrap themselves around it to make a charming refuge from the sweltering heat.

Get cosier
Winter is coming. So you should make your rooftop less of a hostile combination of brick and concrete and more of a relaxing retreat, which is cosy when required. Add some waterproof rugs and a few washable canvas cushions. A table is a useful option too. These items can be of calm earthy tones or bright flamboyant colours, according to your taste. Add some beautiful lamps to make your rooftop even more inviting.

Cook a little 
Most of us do not have the luxury of a backyard for barbecuing, but a rooftop is a great substitute. Add a grill and you can host your own fun barbecue parties. Very little can compare to great barbecue and some good company under a starry night sky.

By Maisha Rumelia Rahman 
Photo: LS Archive/Sazzad Ibne Sayed