Facilitating an Urban Renaissance: Role of Educational Institutions in Citymaking

Urban centres of learning and education have the potential to lead urban renewal in India in at least two distinct ways. First by being training grounds for urban professionals. Archaic regulations and curriculum have thus far discouraged innovative and multi-disciplinary approaches to urbanisation. Second, by the virtue of their location, typically in key urban areas, many educational institutions can act as cultural and social catalysts in a city, as seen in the case of the London School of Economics & Political Science, or Harvard University and MIT in Boston. Centres of higher learning in India tend to be fenced in and disengaged from the city which they inhabit. This session deliberates the best way to mobilise these institutions and get them to become more involved in the process of citymaking.

Confirmed Speakers

• Brigitte Colin, UNESCO
• Pankaj Vir Gupta, Vir Mueller Architects
• Ranjit Mitra, Director, School of Planning & Architecture
• Ranjit Sabikhi, Founder Member, Institute of Urban Designers, India