FP NEWSLETTER FACULTY OF PLANNING ISSUE 40 APRIL 2021 CEPT UNIVERSITY

IN THIS ISSUE ACADEMICS @FP Academics @ FP...... 1 FP Achievements...... 3 01 Know Your Alumni...... 5 Co-Curriculars...... 6 Extra-Curriculars...... 6 Creative Section...... 8

NOTICE BOARD Upcoming Events in May | DRP Reviews Summer School

Fig 01:End semester juries 4th semester FP-PG | P.C.: Shradha Gupta Highlight End Semester Studio Juries FP-PG 4th Semester |End-semester Reviews The final juries for completion of Master’s in Planning (Specialization in Urban Design) for 4th semester students took place on 21st and 22nd April 2021. he students worked this semester to address concerns of the increasing urban Placements 2021 population along the demarcated 200m Transit-Oriented Zones in , resulting in growing demands on the existing infrastructure, resources and public services. The students used the Local Area Planning and Town Planning Scheme mechanisms and explored methods to integrate physical design with the aforementioned regulatory frameworks. The learnings entailed preparation of a strategic framework plan of the delineated area and detailed design of selected urban design projects, building regulations for the envisioned urban form, preparation of a PICK YOUR MATCH planning model for implementation of the proposed framework plan and a Detailed Click here for more information Project Report to effectively communicate the project. The jurors were Sandeep Paul, (pg 7) The Urban Lab, and Aswathy Dilip, ITDP, . The students’ individual proposals were categorized based on the design approach, focussing on Transit Corridor Reimagination, Neighbourhood Transformation and Urban Campuses and Public EDITORIAL TEAM spaces as catalysts for redevelopment in high potential areas of Ahmedabad. Akshay Kashikar Arundhati Hakhu nd Bhimeshwor Longjam End Semester Studio Juries FP-PG 2 Semester Elaine Agith The end semester juries comprised of a showcase of Studio works by the Faculty of Hemansh Sharma Planning students, which panned out to Indian and international cities, and a plethora Kirti Chandra D of subject knowledge by the students. Neha Patane Niveda Ramesh Master’s in Planning (Specialization in Urban Design) Palaash Roy The students presented their work on the ‘Elements of Urban Design’ Studio for Prerna Yadav completion of the 2nd Semester. The final presentations focused on designing public Priya Thottappally Rutuja Nivate places, which broadly included street design, market rejuvenations, waterfront Tamanna Parvin developments, etc. The students worked in cities across India and abroad. The Yamini Khurana external jurors who participated in the jury were Vidya Mohankumar of Urban Design Collective, Chennai, and Mansi Sahu and Sarfaraz Momin of StudioPOD, Mumbai.

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Master’s in Planning Master’s in Planning possible recommendations in terms (Specialization in Urban Housing) (Specialization in Urban of zoning, Detailed Controlled The students presented their work Infrastructure) Regulations, transportation, major on ‘Housing Strategy Studio’ for the The batch was divided into two utilities, infrastructure, housing city of Surat to a panel of experts brackets of core and periphery, who proposals, blue-green networks, including, Kashinath Anbu, World worked in the city of Ahmedabad. environment, heritage, economic Bank, Tanvi Goyal, IIFL Home Loans, The various groups worked on topics and institutional development using Swapnil Anil, Colliers International such as Ahmedabad infrastructure surgical or global interventions via India, and Arekh Kapoor Price water for heritage and tourism, local tools aforementioned. house Coopers Pvt Ltd (PwC); and economic planning and physical Paresh Sharma, Urban Development urban infrastructure for core Master’s in Planning Department of the Government Ahmedabad, and social, blue-green (Specialization in Urban Transport of , Yogita Anil, GIZ, New and physical infrastructure for the Systems) Delhi, Anindita Mukherjee, Centre periphery group. The jurors for the The students, as part of their 2nd- for Policy Research, New Delhi, and core team were Hitesh Vaidya, NIUA, semester final jury, presented Toshi Mittal, Knight Frank India Pvt. Ashish Trambadia, AMC Heritage a Strategic Plan for the Urban Ltd., Mumbai. The deliverables of the Cell, Ashish Dua, Gujarat Tourism, Transport System of Ahmedabad jury comprised of data collection, and Abhijeet Ray, GIFT City; while for the horizon year of 2041. The understanding Institutional the periphery group jury comprised students presented the existing Framework, audit of conversion, Loveleen Garg, GIFT City, Harsh situation analysis, future demand, Impacts of Development Plan & DCR, Goyal, World Bank and Milan Patel, concepts and proposals on cross- the performance of current policies, AUDA. cutting topics like GSRTC, parking programs and schemes, spatial, management, road safety, and demographic, economic pattern, Master’s in Planning overall institutional structure and housing consumption and supply (Specialization in Urban Planning) financing. The jury panel consisted of pattern, estimation mechanisms, The end semester jury for the Dr. Abhijit Lokre, The Urban Lab and housing need, demand, affordability, ‘Development Plan studio’ for 2nd- Nivesh Chaudhary, ASCELA. gaps and challenges in scenarios. semester students comprised The students also had to identify of jurors Sweta Byahut, MCP and enable pro-visionary measures Director and Associate Professor, 02 required to meet the supply and Department of Political Science, design challenges for the horizon year Auburn University, and Nilesh 2035 and provide recommendations Rajadhyaksha, Project Coordinator to improve housing supply, while (MPD), NIUA. The students worked identifying low cost and high-quality on the cities of Rajkot, Ahmedabad housing provision mechanisms and and Surat, with detailed group improving access to housing. They proposals to understand the Fig 02: 2nd Semester End Term Juries | also gave proposals to improve existing situation, review the various P.C.: Sairy Jain the capacity of households, while master/development plans of the providing a capital investment plan cities, understand the different for Surat Municipal Corporation with planning frameworks, the approach phasing and institutional framework, of each master plan, assess the along with results and takeaways. characteristics of the city and provide

Bachelor of Urban Design End Semester Juries

The Bachelor of Urban Design Light Infrastructures - The students semester jury, presented their work students presented their work as a presented the three modules that on housing designs for various user part of the end semester evaluation the students worked on throughout groups, across ages and economic and got valuable feedback on the the studio, namely the competition classes. The jury panel consisted of work done throughout the semester. panel, operational model and drawings, and final construction 03 L2 Studios manual of the laris and the light In Transit - The students of In infrastructure modules, for their Transit studio presented their final end semester jury on 30th April. design proposal for an intermodal The jury panel consisted of Mr. Anuj transit center in the temple town of Daga, School of Environment and Kayavarohan, Gujarat. The jury panel Architecture and Mr. Jhono Bennett, consisted of Dr. Sandeep Gandhi, SG 1to1 Agency of Engagement. Architects, and Mr. Akash Hingorani, The Oasis Design. The jury was Single Person Dwelling - The Fig 03: In Transit Studio End Semester Jury | conducted on 28th April. students, as a part of their end- P.C.: Mehul Saily

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Mr. Victor Cano, Kosovo Architecture end-semester jury, presented their careful analysis of sites, followed by Foundation, and Ms. Kruti Shah, individual site inferences, group applying lessons of possibility to an Chaal Chaal Agency. The jury was master plans, and individual design underused public space. Jury panel conducted on 27th April. of mass housing. The jury panel consisted of Mr. James Leng, Figure, consisted of Ms. Shefali Balwani, Ms. Renee Chow, University of Un-Gendering the Everyday City - Architecture BRIO. The Jury was California, Ms. Deepa Ramaswamy, The students presented their final conducted on 1st May. CEPT University, Ms. Sonal Mithal, design interventions enabling People for Heritage Concern, Mr. women to be a part of the Indian L3 Studios Rory Hyde, University of Melbourne streets just as much as the men, as Post-Covid Streets - The jury and Mr. Prasanth Narayanan, CEPT a part of their end semester jury on revolved around the role of streets University. 30th April. The jury panel consisted of in the current times and design ideas Ms. Shilpa Mevada, , presented by students with their Urban Planning and Regulations - and Ms. Sonali Vyas, Safetipin. respective targeted user groups i.e. The review revolved around the the vulnerable user group as a result design intent, the manifestation of the Designing Water Infrastructure of occupation, class, migration status, students’ respective sites in Mumbai for Civic Expression - The end religion, and gender. The jury panel and the constraint regulations, and semester jury focussed on design consisted of Mr. Venugopal Agarwal, its comparison for better analysis. and representation for students; SAATH Charitable Trust, Mr. Prasanth The jury panel consisted of Prof. speculation projects chosen Narayanan, CEPT University, Ms. Melissa Smith, CEPT University, Prof. individually according to the study Renu Pokhrana, The Ahmedabad Mariana Paisana, SEAlab, and Dr. and mapping water bodies of the Project and Mr. Anand Sonecha, Rutul Joshi, CEPT University. The jury Gujarat region. The juror was Ms. SEAlab. The jury was conducted on was conducted on 24th April. Maria Arquero de Alarcon, University 23rd April. of Michigan. The jury was conducted on 1st May. Urban Assemblies: the Vacancy Phenomenon - The end semester From Utopias to Heterotopias - jury conducted on 22nd April The students, as a part of their discussed space elevation through a

Learning from industry experts The Faculty of Planning invited with the 2nd-semester students of Master’s in Planning (Specialization industry experts and practitioners Master’s in Planning (Specialization in Urban Housing) also had an to impart knowledge and their in Urban Planning) over the introductory session on land expertise on diverse subjects as part intricacies of urban finance, through tenure by representatives of Mahila of mandatory studios to the students the case study of Ahmedabad Housing Trust (MHT). Bharati in various specializations. Municipal Corporation. Throughout Bhonsale, Senior Manager at MHT the session, various aspects were along with Mr. Kaushik Bansal, who Mr. Jayaraj Sundaresan touched upon, such as financial is dedicatedly working towards the The students of 4th Semester resources, sources of funds, revenue, development of real estate in Surat, Master’s in Planning (Specialization municipal borrowing, bonds, etc. The assessed the process of allotting in Urban Planning) had an engaging students gained a new perspective ‘land titles’ to urban poor in Gujarat, conversation with Mr. Jayaraj towards the financial functioning of under Validation of Occupancy and Sundaresan, who teaches at the an urban local body. Allotment of Lands Vested in the Department of Geography and State Government Act, 2017, through Environment in the London School Dr. Vatsal Patel the Case of Ahmedabad. of Economics, on the connections Dr. Vatsal Patel, Chief Town Planner, between planning and legal Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, 04 violations in India. Mr. Sundaresan, a had a lively discussion with the comparative urbanist with research students in the 2nd semester of interests in India and London, Master’s in Planning (Specialization helped the students develop wider in Urban Housing). They explored reflections on the theory and practice the real estate scenario in the of planning in the country. He is country, from various perspectives, currently working on a monograph especially understanding the role of on Planning Violations in India. the Real Estate Regulatory Authority Fig 04: Guest Lecture by Jayaraj Sundaresan, (RERA), and its constitution and how Master’s in Planning (Specialization in Urban Planning). | P.C.: Palaash Roy Ms. Mehali Patel it promises to develop the housing Mehali Patel, Associate Director sector in the country. at CRISIL Risk and Infrastructure Limited and an alumna of CEPT Mahila Housing Trust School of Planning, interacted The 2nd-semester students of

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FP ACHIEVEMENTS Members of Faculty of Planning excel in various National-level competitions Faculty of Planning students, alumni Patil and Riddhi Patel’s proposal- creating paths for walking and cycling and faculty members win laurels at “An Active Promenade”, won first and spaces for the temporal evening various national level competitions place in the Bhopal chapter of the activities while conserving the including Co(Vai) Design Competition challenge. Based on the concept of existing vegetation along the street. and Streets for People Competition. “Happy Streets”, the design focuses The proposal aims to achieve this by on preserving and enhancing the adopting an integrated, phase-wise Co(Vai) Design Competition existing character of the street by public participatory approach. Master’s in Planning (Specialization giving the street “back to people” by in Urban Design) adjunct associate professor, Purvi Chhadva along 05 with alumni- Nikhil Rodrigo (FP- PG’19), Sushma Aradhya (FP-PG’20) and Amrapali Sharma (FP-PG’20), bagged first place at the Co(Vai)- Design Competition organised by Coimbatore Smart city, GIZ, TARU & Urbanista.

The national-level urban design competition focused on the design and implementation of integrated civic projects, collectively aiming at the sustainable development of Coimbatore. The proposal- “Co- creating Resilient Communities”, is inspired by sustainable Fig 05: Co-creating Resilient Communities | P.C.: Prof.Purvi Chhadva practices, occupational index and site conditions. It centres on 06 a threefold strategic structure: “Co-act”- sustainable solutions to manage the precinct, “Co-work”- strategies to create in-situ economic opportunities, and “Co-create”- a participatory approach that strives to achieve a better public realm.

Streets for People Design

Chandigarh - FP-PG’21 students Akshan Bhide, Naveen Pahal, and Snehal Patil won first place in the Chandigarh chapter of Streets for People Challenge. Their proposal- “THE PUBLIC LINK” reimagined the Fig 06: The Public Link | P.C.: Akshan Bhide (FP-PG’21) underpass between Sector 17 and Rose Garden as an activated public 07 connector between these two public spaces. To achieve this, the team proposed a strategic toolkit of- “Attract + Activate + Associate”. “Attract” focused on creating a safe and comfortable pedestrian-friendly experience, “Activate” enhances the vibrancy and inclusivity of the underpass and, “Associate” provides opportunities to engage the community, creating a sense of identity.

Bhopal - FP-PG’21 students Devika Fig 07: An Active Promenade | P.C.: Devika Patil (FP-PG’21)

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KNOW YOUR ALUMNI Mr. Venkata Ratnam Duggirala

Mr. Venkata Ratnam D is a retired chief city planner in the cadre of Director, 08 Town and Country Planning. He hails from the West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. His educational background includes Graduation from Government Arts College, Rajahmundry in the year 1978, Post-graduation in Sociology from Andhra University in the year 1980 and a PG Diploma in planning from CEPT, Ahmedabad in the year 1982. He has more than 30 years of experience in the planning profession. KC: Could you briefly describe your win-win situation for both parties. work profile? The authority also undertook two VR: Most of my service was with the projects in a different model. In the urban local bodies and the urban new model, VUDA allowed the private development authorities. After developer to use its brand name for working as a central excise inspector the private project and the private for 3 years, I joined the research wing developer handed over a portion of Urban Development Authority, of developed land in return. During Vijayawada. It was the beginning of this process, VUDA strictly monitored Fig 08: Mr. Venkata Ratnam Duggirala my career in the planning profession. the standards and specifications During that period, I was selected as of development including vetting KC: Please share your experience apart Assistant Director in Andhra Pradesh ownership of the land. from academics from your days at the Town Planning Service by Andhra Faculty of Planning. Pradesh Public Service Commission KC: In your experience, how do people VR: CEPT Ahmedabad, unlike other and was posted in the office of influence the planning process? educational institutions, gave us a Regional Joint Director of Town and VR: There is scope for improvement lot of freedom to express our views. Country Planning, Visakhapatnam. of public participation in the In my previous colleges, there were I gained rich and varied experience planning process. Ideally, public restrictions and limitations in terms by working in different cadres of participation at every stage would of work and ideas. But the approach various Government departments. I provide good insights into the work. at CEPT was completely different. retired from government service in In India, general public participation CEPT always provided a platform to the year 2016. Post-retirement, my is seen up to some extent but not express our unique ideas. The faculty contribution to the planning field has to the required level during the also encouraged us to explore new reduced. objections and suggestions meetings ideas. They were very supportive for the master plan of the city. The and would hang out with us like any KC: Could you share your experiences government departments also other student. Summer training was on some of the works you have been participate in the planning process mandatory in those days. Many of involved in? where they would monitor the my classmates went on to work in VR: In local bodies, I predominantly work and give suggestions to the different places of the country and it worked on the master plan consultants handling the planning increased our work exposure. implementation and major works. A good leader can impact a lot infrastructure works. Further, under of change in the planning process by KC: Any message(s) for presently the master plan implementation involving all the stakeholders. enrolled students, especially projects, I was also involved in considering the current circumstances? various ancillary works such as road KC: How has the transformation from VR: The planning profession has a widening, encroachment removal your college life to your professional very high potential. You are lucky and building approvals. In the regional life been like? to be studying in such a very good offices, we had tasks like inspection VR: Initially, the journey was not institution. Feel confident about the of Municipalities, monitoring and smooth. I diverted from the work work and stick to the profession. It preparation of indicative land use that I was qualified to do. Eventually, is a very challenging job and we will plans and monitoring of master I realized that it was not suitable for have to face many challenges in our plan implementation works. While me and then joined the research wing professional life. Our role as planners working in Visakhapatnam, I was at Urban Development Authority, is very important for the country. I part of the first joint venture project Vijayawada. After I got selected as the hope all of you will work hard and wherein Visakhapatnam Urban assistant director, the journey was do well. I wish you good luck for the Development Authority (VUDA) had much better. I went on to become same. handed over small unviable land the deputy director, joint director parcels to the private developers. and eventually, I retired at the The private developers pooled position of director. The teachings and developed the land. In return, and experiences at CEPT helped me they handed over a proportionate to handle any kind of work. developed land to VUDA. It was a

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CO-CURRICULARS @ FP 15th Finance Commission: Urban Local Bodies | Empowering Local Governments? Prof. Dinesh Mehta and Prof. Meera played an impactful role for urban next steps by the Union Government Mehta, Professor Emeritus at CEPT local bodies in terms of both financial for empowering local governments? University and Executive Directors of grants and reforms. The webinar the Centre of Water and Sanitation was moderated by Mr. Srikanth To watch the webinar, click here. (C-WAS) were part of a distinguished Viswanathan, CEO, Janaagraha Centre panel of experts to discuss the salient for Citizenship and Democracy, and features of 15th Finance Commission included distinguished panellists- 09 recommendations, initiated by India Prof. Dinesh Mehta, Prof. Meera Habitat Forum (INHAF). Mehta, Prof. P K Mohanty, Mr. S M Vijayanand and Prof. Abhay Pethe. It The recent 15th Finance Commission’s aimed at addressing three important award, accepted by the Government questions: How are the 15th Finance for the period 2021-26, has made Commission’s recommendations important observations and compared to the previous finance suggestions for various reforms in commissions, the 13th and 14th?, Fig 09: Webinar on 15th Finance Commission. | P.C.: inhaf.org terms of decentralisation of funds to What would be the hits and misses of the urban local bodies. All the Central the recommendations in their view? Finance Commissions, post the 74th And what do the panellists see as Constitutional Amendment have unfinished agendas and suggested

EXTRA-CURRICULARS @ FP

Online Club Events- A welcomed respite from the hectic semester end The end of the academic year 2020- alive through movies that would not Harshit Parashar, Ankita Panchratna, 21 witnessed a number of club only keep the audience entertained Surya Thakkar, Padmanabh Toliya, activities as a platform for interaction but also engaged in critical thinking. Malavika K R, Sourabh Anand and and to pass on the responsibilities to Kirti Chandra D. It led to a successful the new club conveners. Literary Club- Chai Pe Charcha event with the anticipation for a On 12th April 2021, the Literary sequel. Celebrating Music Club hosted an informal discussion On 9th April 2021, FP Music Club session under their Chai pe Charcha 10 organised a jamming session series. The event started with a to celebrate music. The event presentation by the Literary Club, witnessed active participation briefing the participants about the from the members, with vocal and topic for the discussion- “The Future instrumental performances. Post of Cities: Smart or Empathetic?”; the event, the present conveners followed by an intriguing discussion Arjun P B and Aditi Modi announced by the participants. At the end of the Fig 10: Music club Jamming session | Malavika K R and Nithya Ravindra as event, the current conveners- Yash P.C.: Kirti Chandra D the new club conveners.The event Siroliya and Devika Patil handed over 11 was concluded with joyous faces, their responsibilities to the newly whether or not they received gifts. elected conveners- Prerna Yadav and Sakshi Saxena. Movie Club - passing on the baton April 11, Sunday, saw students of Celebrating Talent FP- PG glued to their laptop screens With the idea to provide a common for the Movie Club event. The club platform uniting all the club activities, screened “In Which Annie Gives it a virtual “Open mic night” event was Those Ones”, a 1989 film, directed organised by Bhuvaneshwari M, Fig 11: Chai Pe Charcha- Future of Cities-Smart or Empathetic | P.C.: Rutuja Nivate by Pradip Krishen and screenplay Prakhar Suresh Sharma and Yash by renowned author and architect Kotgirwar on 16th April 2021. The 12 Arundhati Roy. After the movie event celebrated different talents screening Pratit Das and Akshay such as instrumental and vocal Kashikar, the convenors of the Movie performances, poetry reading club, stepped down and handed over and a virtual DJ night session. The the reins to their juniors Sukanya performers include Nithya Ravindra, Guha and Radhika Suresh. While the Rithika Ravishankar, Amita Thakwani, seniors bid adieu, the new convenors Arjun P B, Sakshi Saxena, Palaash Fig 12: Open mic night | P.C.: Bhuvaneshwari M promised to keep the club active and Roy, Meera Soni, Aniket Wakhare,

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CEPT FP Placements 2021 | Graphics Credits: Elaine Agith

This newsletter is a student body initiative. For any suggestions, feedback and queries write to us at - [email protected]

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CREATIVE SECTION

‘Rajkot Development Plan 2036’ | By Group 3 - DP Studio | 2nd Sem, MUP

The illustration reflects the proposed urban form of Rajkot city. Group Members - Anushree Harde, Inam Khan, Khevna Vaishnav, Kriti Khetrapal, Sakshi Saxena.

‘Public open space’ | By Samriddhi Jain | 2nd Sem, MUD

The illustration narrates the temporal analysis of Pershing square,Los Angeles.

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