TEA-TRAIL

Md Shaidujjaman 

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology

Bangladesh

Tahmid Rana Khan

Military institute of Science and Technology 

Bangladesh

Project Description

TEA-TRAIL is an innovative urban initiative designed to enhance safety, foster social engagement, and support informal livelihoods in Dhaka. This project introduces a network of foldable tea stalls strategically placed in both high-density urban centers and underutilized spaces, transforming them into vibrant social nodes. By drawing people to less crowded areas, the stalls improve natural surveillance and discourage crime. The system revitalizes neglected urban spaces, fostering interaction and a stronger sense of community while providing economic opportunities for vendors who can integrate digital connectivity for better resource management.

The tea stalls follow an adaptive design. When closed, each stall serves as a wall-mounted newspaper board displaying community information and safety alerts. When opened, it transforms into a fully functional tea stall with vendor storage and seating. Vendors also wear tea backpacks that double as mobile storage and branding elements. Positioned at transport hubs, markets, pedestrian walkways, and residential neighborhoods, these stalls create a citywide safety network.

To ensure fair business opportunities and familiarity with different urban environments, a weekly vendor rotation system is in place. Vendors move across different locations, balancing high-footfall and low-traffic areas while strengthening community ties and urban awareness. The TEA-TRAIL app facilitates stall location tracking, crime reporting, and emergency access through a QR-code system, reinforcing safety and connectivity. By combining adaptive design, economic empowerment, and digital tools, TEA-TRAIL transforms everyday spaces into safer, more inclusive urban environments.