Education:
Doctor of Philosophy (Urban and Regional Design) Hokkaido University, Japan
Master of Architecture (Urban Design), SPA New Delhi
Bachelor of Architecture, Nagpur University
Institute Responsibilities:
Assistant professor
Co-ordinator, M. Arch. (Urban Design) Degree Programme
Courses Thaught:
Undergraduate level:
1. History of Architecture
2. Visual Arts
3. Design Studio (at first, second and fourth year level)
4. Theory of Urban Design
5. Final Year Thesis
6. Seminar
Postgraduate level:
1. History of Urbanity
2. Indian Urbanism
3. Forms of Contemporary Urbanism
4. Site Planning
5. Design Studio (first year level)
6. Urban Nature & City Design
7. Design Thesis
Areas of Research/Study:
In any design pedagogy, the final product is not as important as the process which shapes it. It is very important to understand the process of form and how under different circumstances form takes a best possible alternative. This understanding produces sensitivity towards different cultures and their intrinsic values which are the keys to responsive and responsible design. Both architecture and urbanism are to be seen as ‘value laden constructs’ which are represented through cities we live in and therefore it’s important to teach ‘set of values’ through subjects of design, history and urbanism.
Latent processes of design and urban form are always of interest to me. In a country like India where cities are layered with history; typifying Indian city is always a challenge. My research interest lies in typifying Asian cities which are conventionally seen as assemblage of chaotic environment. I dealt with this stereotype in my doctoral thesis on Tokyo city wherein I identified critical urban elements, which constitutes the morphology of the city. These elements help us to build better urban systems. I am continuing this research further by qualitatively looking at other Asian cities including those ones in India and construct the analytical models for better understanding of urban design in Asian cities. By systematizing urban elements and understanding the complex roles of urban actors in the city; we will be able to answer the larger questions of growth, diversity and future urban form of Asian cities.
