Woxsen University hosts international conference on architecture, design of built environment

NEW DELHI: Woxsen University's school of architecture and planning recently conducted its Architecture and Design of Built Environment 2024 (ADoBE’24) conference, building on the success of the inaugural conference held in November last year. This year’s theme, 'CITIES: Embracing Inclusivity,' provided an exploration of the intricate and multifaceted nature of urban environments, focusing on how both authorities and citizens influence city development trajectories.

The two-week-long ADoBE'24 conference from June 10 to June 24 attracted 235 participants from diverse backgrounds, including urban planners, architects, policymakers, industry professionals, community advocates, and academics. ADoBE’24 aims at creating dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable cities for the future.

The conference also featured presentations of 80 research papers across different sessions, enriching discussions and fostering knowledge exchange among attendees. These presentations covered a wide range of topics, including design for inclusion, dynamic urbanism, equity in built and urban conservation, mobility for all, resilient built form and infrastructure, and participatory governance and equitable development.

Woxen University collaborated with esteemed institutions and organisations this time for ADoBE'24, including the Council of architecture, India; The Bartlett school of architecture, UK; School of planning and architecture, Bhopal; National institute of urban management, Hyderabad; Architecture and design foundation, India; and Blum India pvt. ltd. These partnerships underscored the collective effort and commitment towards addressing critical urban development challenges, stated by Woxen University.

Keynote sessions delivered by speakers like George Ferguson, Matthias Ripp, and Malini Krishnankutty provided invaluable insights into various aspects of inclusive urban design, sustainability in built heritage, participatory governance, and equitable development.

During the conference, George Ferguson, past president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), highlighted the necessity of inclusive city design through citizen dialogue. He applauded Woxsen University's initiative in promoting vibrant and sustainable urbanism tailored to India's unique context, drawing valuable lessons from global perspectives.

Matthias Ripp's keynote delved into sustainability and resilience in built heritage, stressing the importance of integrating these principles into conservation practices amidst societal changes like globalisation and gentrification.

Malini Krishnankutty's keynote highlighted the role of public participation in effective urban planning, citing examples from Curitiba and Chittur Thathamangalam. She praised Woxsen's approach to incorporating local expertise and community input into inclusive planning strategies.

Sonia Gupta, dean of the school of architecture and planning at Woxsen University, hailed ADoBE'24 as a significant milestone towards creating inclusive and sustainable urban environments. She highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts and innovative initiatives like ADoBE'24 in shaping the cities of tomorrow.