Exploring Possible Extension to Commercial Development of Comilla City, Bangladesh: A Perspective from Space Syntax

Comilla city has a long history of urbanization. Due to urbanization, the City is facing intense development including road networks. Comilla is a hub of road communication of eastern part of Bangladesh. 'The Grand Trunk Road' which passes through the city is known to be as one of the oldest highways of Bangladesh. At present, the most important Dhaka–Chittagong Highway road follows a by-pass route within the city from the district cantonment to Poduar Bazar. These road networks have a great influence in the commercial development of the city. Integration of road network is very important factor for commercial development. More integrated road networks make more incorporated commercial development. The question is which one is the most integrated road in Comilla City and in which area the further commercial development will take place? In attempting to answer these questions, the paper aims to study and analyze the road networks and integration values with integration core of Comilla City through space syntax method using the software “UCL Depth map” (version 10). This research will also investigate the relation between road network and Commercial development and will provide a guideline to identify the possible future expansion of the commercial zone.