My Walk of Life
‘My Walk of Life’, was a workshop specially curated by a team of School of Art and Architecture, Sushant University for the students of Class X . The Workshop was conducted by Prof. Aruna Bhardwaj, Senior. Prof. (Dr) Suruchi Modi and Associate Professor Himansu Sanghani along with Final Year Students of Elective Studio, School of Art and Architecture, Sushant University
The workshop aimed at involving young adults to identify and voice their concerns related to their immediate urban environment. It gave them an opportunity to explore the various possibilities to plan an efficient urban space for themselves and their society.
This workshop was an exercise to encourage children’s participation in the urban planning process; exercising their right to voice their expectations from the city. It attempted to bring various stakeholders of the public space on a common platform. Through this exercise, the children created an example of participatory planning by becoming both users and facilitators of the construct of the urban space, with the backdrop of the SDG goals.
Students of Class X observed and collected stories from different stakeholders in the areas in the immediate vicinity of Shikshantar. They stepped out of the school accompanied by facilitators and conducted guided surveys during school hours. In the following days, they worked in smaller groups, and carried out a S.W.O.T analysis of their observations and ideated to re-imagine the streets sharing their observations, experiences and suggestions in the form of presentations using maps, models and powerpoint presentations.
The children identified various problems such as lack of public amenities, signages, open electric wires, potholes, lack of animal shelters. They were conscious to understand and propose the use of street lights in the area making it safe for the stakeholders. Also, their aesthetic sense was highlighted when they decided to beautify the footpath with the use of greenery and mosaic. They came up with creative and effective ideas to improve the condition and use of the footpath, zebra crossing, roundabouts and proper waste management system.
By engaging with their immediate environment they were able to understand the problems related to urbanization and offer solutions thus making them conscious and aware about their role as future citizens and policy makers.