Reflections of the Future | APIC 2024

Understanding and introspecting our perceptions, experiences and observations give us the opportunity to sieve through the chaos and complexities of the world. Reflections of the future are a mirage of our interpretations of past, practices of present and aspirations of the future essentially unknown. It is through the critical enquiry of our observations and experiences that we draw a parallel between our past and present and draw a continuum to derive a future.

Architecture, Urban Studies and Design Discourse at large in various ways attempts prophesizing the future. We as planners, urban designers, architects shape, create and generate the spatial configurations all based on some speculative possibilities and optimism of future inhabitation driven by capital. Design always takes into the consideration the future goals and sustenance. Architecture as a discipline intervenes to forecast a spatial event that leads to manifestation of layers of social, cultural, political and economic inter-linkages. The design as a discourse essentially questions as how we proceed from the past to contextualize the present and reimagine the future. The mandates of future hold manifold in the realms of Housing, Climate change, Culture & Heritage, Urban Transportation, Artificial Intelligence & Digital Innovations, Pedagogy, Inclusivity, and Governance & Policy.

Indian cities since post-independence have seen significant structural and spatial changes; with rapid urbanization, liberalization and globalization acting as the main forces of transition of cities, their spaces and architecture. As the world shrinks, the cities continue to swell and envision themselves as their global counterparts; leading to exchange in capital, culture, semiotics and resources. In the neo-liberal world, Indian cities have attracted foreign investments and technologies that have manifested in spatial dynamics of urban India; triggering the need for a globalized architectural ensemble, massive infrastructural corridors and networked society.

The on-going COVID -19 pandemic has pronounced tech-tonic shifts in our practices and lifestyle. The emerging trends of hybrid work mode and digital advancements have questioned the form of architecture we inhabit and how do we foresee them in future. The spaces of social and cultural interaction have radically transformed; where consumption and commodification have paved way for newer the urban forms to surface and create enclaves of culture within our cities. The penetration of Internet and social media is no more a tool for social interaction but it has emerged to be a trending work place for content creation and consumption of lifestyle. In such situation, the question arises what happens to our public spaces in the city? What kind of architecture should we envision to strike a balance between the real world and the reel world? What are the anecdotes in urban transportation that will reform the fabric of the city?

As India witnesses a digital transformation, contemporary spatial, economic and social changes, it becomes important for us to sieve through the challenges that surface at the grassroots, local responses and solutions.

KEY NOTE: “Reflections of the Future”

What kind of futures are we looking at? Are we looking at apocalyptic futures with scenarios of intense class disparity, resource depletion, habitat loss, crisis of climate, food, energy, and finance? Or are we going to be able to traverse and change, make the critical turn negotiate our way through to brighter future. What is this new world that we reimagine, shape, what are these paradigm jumps that we need to make?

“Reflections of the Future” 2024 aims at fostering an interdisciplinary dialogue and bring together urban practitioners, researchers and academicians to reflect upon the urban thematic in allied and social, cultural, economic and political domains. It provides starting point to rethink, negotiate and discuss the issues, opportunities and solutions to conceive a positive and inclusive future. In the domain of urban studies, cultural heritage, inclusive strategies, urban transportation, climate change and mitigation, housing, artificial intelligence and governance.

Proposals are invited as per the sub themes of the symposium as listed. It will delve upon the ideas, theories and practice to reflect and rethink at evolution of architectural and urban studies and practice in a holistic manner.

1. Culture & Heritage
Cultural Legacies; Shaping our collective urban future

Culture & Heritage are the key components that help build the identity of an individual and of a large group of people and the spaces they inhabit. Indian cities boost of cultural heritage within their urban fabric; embedded in their morphological conditions. The development in the Indian cities responds to the socio-cultural identities that have forged over the years during the process of urbanization. The cultural heritage is assimilation of indigenous knowledge systems, rituals, practices and lifestyle pattern of the communities and reflects within the territories shaped and conceived. The derivatives of culture and heritage continue to find a newer meaning as the society progress and trigger a new spatial dimension and meaning for culture and heritage within urban India. There is a need to reflect on these drivers of change, the forces that enforce a new dynamic in urban fabric of Indian cities.

2. Housing for the Future
Sustainable Housing, a key to the urban future

Today with our unprecedented and rapid urbanization, half of the world population lies in cities. We are all in need for a new paradigm for shaping our cities. Our vision of the city, unfortunately, blindly conforms to western-centric ideals and does not leave any space for the “disarray” attributed to Indian cities. The aspiration for a ‘world class global city’ that is generally subscribed to, obliterates many aspects of an informal place, specifically, cultural, slightly riotous, but robust that is any Indian city. The overlap of formal and informal economic sectors reflects and manifests itself in the morphology of the cities and often is a site for conflict and contradictions. Our built environment in being converted into one large narrative of social segregation and alienation propelling us to a future perpetuated by market-based decision making. As architects, planners, shapers of the built environment can we bring back the question of equity, social justice and ecological sustainability
to the table?

3. Climate Change
Sustaining the future of urban habitat, adaptation and mitigation

We are according to some people in the age of the ‘Anthropocene ‘. We have experienced so many intense paradigm shifts over the last 200 years and these changes brought about by human activities/ interventions have altered and influenced climate change and the environment. There is a certain urgency with relation to climate change, extinction of biodiversity, ocean acidification, afforestation, emissions. Through their involvement in the development process and in creating and managing the built environment, urban designers, architects and planners are sometimes the ‘first’ in line perpetrators of environment. There is this conflict of meeting of human needs, aspirations as against environmental sustainability and these need to be negotiated and balanced. As shapers of the built environment how can we address these issues and minimize the damage to natural habitat and bring about environmental sustainability.

4. Artificial Intelligence & Digital Innovation
New frontiers, new approaches

Rapid urbanization in the context of Indian cities brings the challenges of recording, managing and reviewing the networked data sets for future interventions in the urbanscape. In a world that is based on networked and integrated urban ecosystems, the need for advanced analytical toolkits and methodologies become imperative to organize, analyze and assess the large data set. Data driven approaches & toolkits and data visualization tools have become necessary to decipher the urban complexities. The digital innovations and interfaces that are universal in approach can evoke larger participation from the local communities in the domain of urban studies. The availability of plugins for urban studies on various digital platforms, penetration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and inclusion of multiple programming languages have changed the dynamics of collection, analysis, management and execution of urban data. This provides an opportunity to address the need to discuss, develop and test a digital approach and model based intervention which can act as a prototype for the future studies fostering community engagement and people centric approach in policy framework.

5. Pedagogy
Rethinking the knowledge exchange

‘Contemporary architectural education evolved from the Technical Schools established by the colonial government in the 1850s. They supplanted the traditional system of the master craftsmen who had passed their knowledge from one generation to another. Unlike Europe where industrialisation transformed traditional skills and knowledge systems over time, in India no attempt was made to transform the traditional system of building which was instead, purposively by-passed by colonial builders.’ (Menon, A.G.K., 1998) As we progress, there is a continuous need to reinvent and rethink the process to approach the discipline of architecture and urban studies. The context changes and with that the process of learning and unlearning becomes critical. This requires academicians to adapt to newer forms and narratives of architectural pedagogy. The need to create a larger framework with interdisciplinary approaches becomes important as architecture is no more a stand-alone entity.

6. Inclusivity, Governance & Policy
Navigating the future through informed inclusive decision making and governance

Urban governance and policy seeks to discuss the decision making approaches and management strategies in the urban domain. Inclusive design strategies and measures in the recent past have amplified significant implementation which makes the built environment equitable and accessible to all. Development and sustenance of the city depends on an effective governance in action in accordance with various stages. The decentralization of power in the civic domain in India has enhanced the role of urban local bodies. Thus, more opportunities and role of citizens through equitable participation, decision making and implementation guidelines are the attributes of discussion. The study further seeks to discuss innovative methods and strategies aimed at enhancing urban development and quality of life for the citizens. With the help of relevant case examples, causes and issues in the domain of inclusive urban governance can be initiated through an effective dialogue. Best practices aimed at sustainable, inclusive and resilient cities through holistic frameworks and planning policies can further foster a multidisciplinary channel of holistic framework and approaches through engagement of various stakeholders.

Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai was established in August 1992. The college is affiliated to the University of Mumbai. It is known for its commitment to quality architectural education for over three decades. Established under the aegis of the Rizvi Education Society, the college emphasizes a holistic approach to architectural studies, blending academic theory with practical skills.

Rizvi College of Architecture is an integral part of the national mission for human development through education. The prime goal of the educational program is to prepare students for a professional role as architects in the service of humanity.

The most essential part of the mission is to develop an all-round awareness of the complex issues involved in the shaping of built environment, and to equip the students with knowledge and insight to meet the challenges of development and conservation, and continuity of relevant traditions in order to design humane habitats.

Rizvi College of Architecture aims to evolve into a school of architectural thought with a distinctive philosophy focusing on human, socio-cultural, environmental, scientific and technological, aesthetics and philosophical values. The courses are structured to orient studies in a range of contexts, which include rural, urban, metropolitan, regional, national and international. The mission aims at development of sincere professionals with a high standard of morals and ethics, intellectual honesty, clarity of thought and with a spirit of innovation and creativity.

Rizvi College of Architecture was granted prestigious Part I and Part II recognition by the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA). It has been committed to the goal of excellence and sustainable human development. The students of the institute have secured top ranks in University of Mumbai and have won National and International Awards.

The RCA campus has hosted conferences, symposiums, lectures and talks by eminent personalities from all over the world. With a focus on fostering creativity and critical thinking, Rizvi College of Architecture has earned a reputation for producing skilled professionals in the field. The campus provides a conducive environment for students to explore various facets of architecture, encouraging innovation and a deep understanding of the built and natural environment.

International Conference on Humane Habitat (ICHH)

Rizvi College of Architecture has hosted International Conference on Humane Habitat (ICHH) for twenty years as a three-day event organized by the students and faculty of the college.
This International Conference was organized by the International Association for Humane Habitat (IAHH).

Rizvi College of Architecture has hosted these annual conferences in association with Council of Architecture, World Society for Ekistics, Commonwealth Association of Architects, Maharashtra Chapter of the Indian Institute of Architects, Practicing Engineers Architects and Town Planners Association, Indian Association of Schools of Architecture, Maharashtra Association of Schools of Architecture, Forum of Colleges of Architecture and University of Mumbai. This platform was used to raise, discuss and debate burning issues regarding sustainability, environmental concerns, affordable housing, transport and humane architecture at a global level.

The college also hosted an International Student’s Design Competition during this conference. The topics for these competitions revolved around creating humane habitats and were well participated by students from all over India and abroad