Future is Urban II: Urban Resilience, Capacity Building, Nature Based Solution

Global concerns and local problems are increasing not only in urban areas but also in regions where the human impact is minimal. The global consequences of exploiting and irreversibly utilising natural resources are becoming evident. Climate change, characterised by erratic weather patterns and global warming, has become prevalent around the world. This has resulted in the increased occurrence of many calamities, such as floods, droughts, heat waves, and other related disasters. The efficacy of decision-making processes determines the alternative methods for discovering solutions and ensuring readiness for future advancements. These kinds of difficulties require profound contemplation and reflection on concepts from multiple viewpoints and necessitate engaging discussions. By implementing nature-based solutions (NBS) and blue and green infrastructure (BGI), it is possible to mitigate their occurrences and address concerns.

Utpal Sharma is the Dean and Director at the Institute of Architecture and Planning at Nirma University. With more than 30 years of experience as an academician and professional in the field of Architecture and Urban & Regional Planning he is credited with formulation and implementation of many physical plans in all scales and has led many national and international committees in policy making. Utpal has received many prestigious awards including HUDCO Design Award and Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Urban Planning and Design. He is a past President of Asian Planning School Association (APSA). He is also an editor of Future is Urban, Livability, Resilience and Resource Conservation, Proceedings of the International Conference on Future is Urban (ICFU 2021) published by Routledge in 2022.

Swati Kothary is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Architecture and Planning, Nirma University, Ahmedabad. She teaches undergraduate, post graduate and PhD students in Architecture, Planning and Civil Engineering domain. Environmental Planner by training, she has worked for Central and State Pollution Control Board on spatial planning projects at district and city level in Gujarat. She has also led many projects across India in the environment and socioeconomic sectors. She is the Project Coordinator for the ongoing European Union ERASMUS+ URGENT Project at Nirma University.

Vibha Gajjar is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Architecture and Planning, Nirma University, Ahmedabad. She has over two decades of academic and professional experience and holds important academic and administrative positions at the university. Her research areas include vernacular architecture, re-generative approaches, ecosystem services and valuation. She is an empanelled expert with Gujarat State Public Service Commission.