December 2018 Issue 14

NEWS LETTER

1/ fpcept

Academics @ FP In this issue

Editorial Team

Aditi RaiAnupama V.S. Arnav PrakashForum ShahKelly ShahMukul KogjePrabhanjan PrabhuSameer KumarSaubiya SareshwalaShivangi TannaSophiya IslamSupriya Swarup

Summer Winter School ............1End Semester Exhibition..........2FP Achievements......................2FP in Print Media.......................3 Know Your Alumni.....................3Creative Section ......................4

Winter School 2018, Illustrated by Aditi Rai

The Faculty of Planning is constantly involved in resolving issues pertaining to Indian cities. It conducts numerous short-duration courses in the form of summer winter schools to improve the knowledge of students and professionals in this regard.

This year’s winter schools were aimed at improving the participants’ knowledge on varied aspects in the urban domain. The pedagogy included lectures, exercises as well as immersive field visits.

One of the courses, taught by Prof. Purvi Bhatt and Ar. Lalit Bharti, focussed on proposing urban design policies for public spaces in the mixed-use belt of Auroville. Three courses analysed cities with reference to their water resources. The first, under the guidance of Dr Mona Khakhar and Ms Rutool Sharma, was aimed at analysing the issues faced by the natural water systems of Ahmedabad and Bangalore; the second course examined the inter-relationship of water features with the cultural heritage and socio-economic settings of cities, focussing on the forts of Rajasthan; it was taken up by Prof. Ashwani Kumar. Lastly, under the guidance of Ar. Nitish Vidyadhar and Ar. Tanvi Patil, students analysed the musings around step-wells and their impacts on the surrounding spaces. Proposals in the form of presentations and booklets showcased the learning outcomes of these courses.

Resolving India’s Urban Issues

SWS InternationalAt CEPT, exposure and multi-faceted knowledge is accorded prime importance. Through summer and winter schools held in locations outside India, students get a chance to learn from the best practices around the world. Three international winter schools were organized by the Faculty of Planning this time in Sri Lanka, China and Spain

Focused on learning from transformative urban projects across various cities in Sri Lanka, the course titled Project Case Studies – Resettlement Housing, Waterfronts & Heritage Conservation, Sri Lanka gave the students an opportunity to interact with eminent project proponents and learn about every project’s essential aspects like finance and governance. It was organized by Shirley Ballaney and Bindu Nair.

The course titled Decoding Superblocks: Barcelona was organized by Sandeep Paul. It explored the unique concept of Superblocks that enables walkable cities whilst also achieving higher densities and substantial open spaces. The students experienced and analysed this unique development tool; assessing its merits and demerits.

Upcoming EventsM

31

7

14

21

28

4

T

1

8

15

22

29

5

W

2

9

16

23

30

6

T

3

10

17

24

31

7

F

4

11

18

25

1

8

S

5

12

19

26

2

9

S

6

13

20

27

3

10

CEPT University Thirteenth Convocation19th January (Saturday)

CEPT Academic Festivals Weekend26th January (Saturday) and 27th January (Sunday)

To conclude, the winter schools acted as a platform providing insights on urban issues related to Indian cities, enlightening both students and professionals alike.

2

Faculty of Planning| CEPT University|Newsletter December 2018, Issue 14

/ fpcept

FP Achievement @ cept

Img 1,2&3. End Semester Exhibition , P.C. Aditi Rai; End Semester Exhibition

CEPT provides a platform to its students to showcase the exemplary work done throughout the semester at the end semester exhibition. The Semester End Exhibition Winter2018 was held from 7th-11th December.

The five day event was inaugurated on December 7th and the evening was followed by a rock music band. The grand inauguration was graced by visitors across different professions and academic background. The students from all the faculties displayed their work through different mediums and it was a great learning opportunity for the aspiring students to have a glimpse of the work produced in different UG and PG courses.

How cities in India and China (Ahmedabad and Nanjing respectively) are responding to the challenges of urbanisation through smart initiatives while conserving their historic neighbourhoods, was understood in a course titled Smart and Heritage Cities Development- Experiences and lessons from India and China. It was organised by Sejal Patel and Saswat Bandhopadhyay in collaboration with South East University, Nanjing, China. During the course, an MOU was also signed between SEU and CEPT to facilitate further student exchange programs.

Through these visits and their critical analysis, the students develop a wider vocabulary of ideas and solutions that can address problems being faced by Indian cities as they grow further.

Academics @ fp

FOSS4G - Asia 2018 Conference

Yash Mehta, graduating student of MURP, under the guidance of Dr.Saswat Bandyopadhyay won top

honours for presenting the research paper titled “Open Source Smart City Dashboard: Analyzing the structure and Trends in Infrastructure Proposals under the Smart cities mission India” at FOSS4G-Asia 2018 Conference (Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial Asia) held at University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka from 2nd to 5th December, 2018.

Winning the top research paper presentation award amongst 60 other papers presented by students, academicians and practitioners working on “Open Source for Sustainable Development” from across the globe, Mehta’s research was based on two openly available data sources, Smart City Proposal document and Annexures of the smart city proposals for each selected smart city. This study developed

3

a framework at all the levels of governance with an objective to create a Smart City Dashboard for the performance and visual sectorial analysis for the different categories of Stakeholders which enables decision making.

Environment Studio in SEAC

The students of the Environment Studio in the Faculty of Planning were invited by the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) to discuss the findings of their studio exercise on Environment Impact Assessment.

The committee, headed by Dr Dinesh Misra (Chairman – SEAC), appreciated the studio’s approach which considered a cumulative impact assessment of development instead of the existing practice of

Students of EP Studio, in SEAC, P.C. CEPT University

Yash Mehta receiving award at the FOSS4G - Asia 2018 Conference , P.C. CEPT University

3

Faculty of Planning| CEPT University|Newsletter December 2018, Issue 14

/ fpcept

This newsletter is a student body initiative. For any suggestions, feedback and queries write to us at - fp.newsletter@cept.ac.in

know your alumni @ FP

Ms. Bindu Nair

Ms. Bindu Nair is an alumnus of Faculty of Planning, batch 1996-1998. An Urban Planner with over 21 years of rich experience in areas of urban and regional planning, land management. Ms. Nair is currently engaged in several statutory urban planning and research projects.

SI: How are you associated with the profession currently?

BN: I have been practicing since I graduated from CEPT. Immediately after completing planning, I started working with EPC and now with HCP. I have had the opportunity of working on varied projects of regional, city and neighbourhood levels. Over the years my work has been focused on

Ms. Bindu Nair

Img 1.Urban Expansion Studio, P.C. Milan; Img 2.Khadia group presenting their work in end term jury, P.C. Drishti

preparation of statutory plan. I am also a visiting faculty at CEPT.

SI: Could you briefly explain your work profile?

BN: I work on various types of projects, but the focus is more on statutory planning - preparation of Development Plans and town planning schemes for various cities in the country. This means working closely with the UDA’s, MC’s, ULB’s, other agencies, and the citizens, and trying to incorporate the aspirations of both in the plans we make.

SI: How was the transition from academics to profession?

BN: It was interesting and eye opening. When it comes to professional practice, one has to unlearn a few things and pick up new skills of dealing with people, bureaucrats, politicians and apply what one has learned in academics. It teaches you to deal with the pressures and deadlines in the profession.

SI: Please share some of your nonacademic experiences from your days at Faculty of Planning.

BN: I fondly remember preparing for cultural activates for NOSPLAN and my interaction with students from other faculty and travelling with them exploring Gujarat.

SI: Lastly, I would like to request you to share a message for the students.

BN: It is the beginning of the most productive phase of your life so be focused and work hard, it will help you in your professional life later. Utilise the vast alumni network to advance your career.

FP IN PRINT MEDIA

Urban Expansion StudioThe extensive work undertaken by semester 3 students under Urban Expansion Planning and Design Studio, led by six faculty members, received laurels for introduction of an innovative concept in the light of revitalising heritage in the city of Ahmedabad.

A particular study focussed on an area of 0.2sq.km in the ward of Khadia, known for its iconic heritage buildings. A new model was proposed, wherein grade is assigned based on both the heritage value/condition of the building and its location, with prime importance being attached to the property located on the main road. This was done in order to preserve the invaluable heritage properties from rapid commercialisation, and thereby creating a bridge between the heritage property owners and developers.

Paper by Saurav and AnjuAt a time when the cities are celebrating Christmas, the graduating students Saurav Chowdhury and Anju Varghese proved to be true Santa for the city’s dumps.

They presented their research paper at the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) World Congress 2018 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, both of which were guided by Prof. Mona Iyer. Saurav presented his paper

‘Dilemma of Waste: Dump Sites and Developing Nations’, the paper explored the best practices for the closure of GHG emissions through Bio-Mining for clearing the legacy waste at Pirana, while the incoming daily waste could be sorted and composted using Bio-Reactor. Anju presented her paper on ‘Influence of Existing Waste Management Initiatives on Marine Litter in Trivandrum Beaches’, concluding with a synthesis of what works where, why and how.

Saurav Chaudhary and Anju Verghese, P.C. CEPT University

project-based impact assessment. The outcomes demonstrated that the approach can respond to future developments in an area and its environmental impacts more effectively, and the Environmental Management Plans could add to larger gains, leading to larger benefits including localisation of SDGs.

1 2

4

Faculty of Planning| CEPT University|Newsletter December 2018, Issue 14

/ fpcept

FP newsletter is inviting creative content every issue. Watch out this space from the successive issues. Kindly email your entries to Fp.newsletter@cept.ac.in

Conversation Starter.FP Newsletter I Creative Section

Photographs and Illustration by Prabhanjan Prabhu

Home is like the soup that warms the soul; not necessarily a place, may be a person or a sense of satisfaction at the end of the day. So is the case of this community who has made temporary permanency a part and parcel of their lives. Originally from Limbdi District in Gujarat, they move with their work, spreading the network of gas pipelines. They make their houses from the pipelines and the materials readily available nearby like plastic sheets and mud layered flooring and seem content. They cluster their detachable houses and create a social incidence within. This is home to them.

If a city is an extended home, can the city be made content with temporary permanency? If so how can it be incorporated through urban planning principles and design interventions?

Please send in your comments to fp.newsletter@cept.ac.in or post on the FP Newsletter social media pages.

Temporary Permanence

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fpcept/ https://www.facebook.com/fpcept/ https://www.instagram.com/fpcept/ https://twitter.com/fpcept